Lyra: Caught In Crystal Part 14

aI think you were wise to bring Dara to us,a Javieri said to Bryn.

Kayl glared at her, then turned back to Dara. The girl still looked dazed, as though she had just awakened from a heavy sleep, but she was frowning at the Twisted Tower the way she always did when she was studying something. Kayl found that rea.s.suring. aDara?a she said softly.

aWhat?a Dara turned her frowning gaze to Kayl.

aAre you all right? What happened?a aNothing happened. Thatas the Twisted Tower, isnat it? Itas uglier than I thought.a aYou donat remember coming here?a Kayl asked.

Dara shrugged. aWe walked. It didnat take long.a Her eyes kept straying back to the Tower.

Kayl looked at Bryn. aDonat ask me to explain it,a the Wyrd said. aShe seemed pretty foggy to me most of the way here. She came out of it for a little while, then had a relapse. The second spell ended just as we got to the top of the saddle.a Behind her, Kayl heard Glyndon mutter, aOh, lord. If thatas the problemaa aIf whatas the problem?a Kayl demanded, turning.

aWith opening the Tower,a Glyndon said. Beside him, Barthelmyas eyes widened, and she stared at Dara.

Kayl stepped protectively between the two wizards and her daughter. aWhat are you talking about?a aBoth of them have taught Dara,a Corrana said coolly from a little to one side. aYour daughter also appears to have a link with the Crystal that seals the Tower. She had two periods of abehaving oddlya which seem to coincide with the two unsuccessful attempts to breach the spells on the Tower. The conclusion would seem obvious.a aNo,a Kayl said without conviction.

aItas all right, Kayl,a Barthelmy said. aI mean, it will be all right, now that we know.a aIt isnat all right,a Glyndon said. aBut we need Dara, and sheas safer here, where we can see whatas going on and do something about it if we need to.a aIa"a Kayl shook her head. She felt trapped, and for a moment she hated them both. Then Dara tugged at her arm, and she turned.

aTheyare right, Mother,a she said.

aDara, you donat have toa"a aYes, I do.a Daraas voice sounded amazingly adult. She was still looking past Kayl to the Twisted Tower. aPlease, Mother; I donat think we should waste any time.a Kayl stared at the suddenly unfamiliar child-woman she had borne and raised and cherished. Slowly, she nodded. aAll right, Dara, if youare sure you want to do this.a aIam sure.a Dara stepped forward, toward Barthelmy and Glyndon. Glyndon flashed an uncertain look at Kayl, then bent to talk to Dara. A moment later, he and Barthelmy each took one of the girlas hands.

aDonat try to do anything yourself,a Barthelmy cautioned. aJust cooperate with us.a Dara nodded. Glyndon raised his staff one-handed, and Barthelmy caught the other end. For the third time they began to chant. The heat-haze flickered into existence in front of the iron door. It intensified swiftly into pulsing waves of distortion that made Kaylas eyes ache to look at. Dara stood straight as a willow rod between the two magicians, her hands clenched around their fingers and her eyes wide and sightless.

Finally the chanting stopped. Kayl blinked and realized that the Tower door was ajar. aWe did it!a Glyndon shouted. He dropped his staff to scoop Dara up and swing her, laughing, in a wide circle. aWe did it!a Barthelmy grinned with relief and tossed her head, sending her black hair flying in all directions. Javieri relaxed slightly, like a laborer resting between two parts of a difficult task when the harder work was yet to come. Even Corrana smiled.

aYou certainly did,a said an unpleasant voice from outside the half-ring of Sisters.

Kaylas sword was in her hand almost without thought. She turned, shoving Mark behind her, and saw a score or more of grinning, eagle-helmeted men and women arrayed in a neat line between the Sisterhood and the edges of the valley. In front of the newcomers was a short, solidly built man with bright, cold eyes. Kayl stared in disbelief. aUtrilo Levoil!a Utrilo inclined his head. aMistress Kayl. You would be surprised to know how glad I am to see you.a aYour timing is remarkable, Magicseeker,a Javieri said. She made a small gesture with her right hand, and the defensive ring of Sisters s.h.i.+fted slightly, closing the gap between it and the Tower.

aIs it indeed, Your Serenity,a Utrilo replied affably. He rocked back onto his heels as he spoke, a gesture both like and unlike the pompous mannerisms Kayl remembered from Copeham. aThen perhaps you will not be surprised to learn that we have been watching you since you arrived.a Javieri threw a withering glance at Corrana. aOn the contrary.a aOh, donat blame your scouts,a Utrilo said. aThey did what little they were capable of.a He favored Corrana with a broad, toothy smile. aWe are simply better than you.a Kayl studied Utrilo as he spoke. She could hear traces of Islorranas secretary in the way he spoke, and occasionally the tilt of Utriloas head or a fleeting expression brought the man she remembered from Copeham vividly to mind, but that was all. Utrilo was a consummate actor, Kayl realized; he had played the part of an unctuous servant for an entire month without slipping once. But how could she have missed seeing the muscle beneath his paunch, or recognizing that there was a purpose behind his questions?

aYouad have done better not to waste your time on those quaint little traps you set in our path,a Utrilo went on. aI fear they delayed you more than us.a Ferianek flushed. Kayl raised a mental eyebrow at Utriloas phrasing. So the Magicseekers did not know that the b.o.o.by-traps were Ferianekas work!

aHave done with this game,a Javieri said. aWhat is it you want?a aWhy, the same thing you want, Your Serenity,a Utrilo said. aThe key to this Tower.a aMother!a Daraas voice was soft but insistent; she had come up behind Kayl to stand beside Mark.

Kayl tilted her head back, not taking her eyes from the Magicseekers. aQuietly Dara. What is it?a aTheyare who the thing in the Tower is calling,a Dara whispered. aI can feel it.a aTell Glyndon and Ferianek, if you can.a Both men were well within the protective ring. aBut try not to attract attention.a Kayl felt Dara nod and move slowly away. She returned most of her attention to the conversation between Javieri and Utrilo, wondering how soon the Magicseekers would attack and why they had not yet done so.

aThen how did you succeed in opening the door?a Utrilo was saying. aIf magic alone were enough, we would have done it ourselves yesterday, and there would be no need for this farce.a aPerhaps we are simply better than you,a Javieri suggested.

Utriloas eyes narrowed to slits. aGive us the key.a aNo,a said Javieri.

Utrilo gestured. A tall, hawk-faced man stepped forward to stand beside him. He called three words in a strange language and pointed. Fire lanced out from his fingera"and spattered harmlessly against an invisible barricade a few feet in front of the foremost Sisters. Kayl turned her head and saw Barthelmy, white-faced, staring with great concentration at the smear of flame.

The Magicseekers hesitated, then two more came forward to join Utrilo and the hawk-faced wizard. The rest drew their swords and started toward the ring of Sisters. Kayl glanced back quickly to make sure that both of the children were safely behind her, then took a firmer grip on her sword.

The first wave of attackers arrived, and the neat lines dissolved in a chaos of individual fights. One of the Magicseekers broke through beside Kayl. He swung a saw-toothed bronze blade at Kaylas head. She parried, and her sword caught in the toothed edge of her attackeras sword. He twisted it in an attempt to disarm her. Kayl wrenched her sword free in time to parry as a second Magicseeker struck at her arm. She was in trouble now, she thought with the clearheaded calm of battle. She couldnat handle two of them for long without moving too far to protect the children.

Kayl parried another stroke by her first opponent, but barely managed to duck under the secondas swing. As she rose, she saw an opening and sent her sword toward it. Then, an instant too late, she realized that the move would leave her open to a counterattack from the Magicseekeras partner. As her sword sank home, she twisted, hoping to avoid most of the blow she expected.

The Magicseeker crumpled. Kayl pulled her sword free and whirled, wondering in the back of her mind why she wasnat dead. Then she saw that the second Magicseeker was bleeding from a slanting scratch on his right arm, just below the bronze scales of the armor that protected his shoulder. Whoever had tried to disable him had failed, but the attempt had apparently thrown his stroke off far enough to save Kaylas life.

Kayl attacked with a ferocity that surprised even herself, and the Magicseeker was driven backward. Kayl let the crowd of combatants swallow him; she dared not risk getting too far away from the children. She edged backward, watching for a renewed attack. aMark? Dara?a she called. aAre you all right?a aThey are fine,a Corranaas voice said in her ear. aInside, and join them.a aWhat? No!a Kaylas cry was half denial, half horror as she realized what Corrana had to mean.

aInside!a Corrana grabbed Kaylas arm and swung her around. Kaylas sword came up automatically, but Corrana ducked under it and shoved her from behind. Kayl took two steps forward and fell sprawling through the doorway of the Twisted Tower.

CHAPTER.

TWENTY-NINE.

aI thought Iam the one whoas supposed to make awkward entrances,a Glyndonas voice said from somewhere in front of Kayl.

Kayl shook herself and looked around. aGlyndon? What are you doing in here? Barthelmy canat handle three Magicseekers alone!a aShe doesnat have to,a Corrana said, coming past Kayl into the Tower. aSeal the door, Glyndon.a aMother, are you all right?a Mark asked urgently.

aGlyndon, donat!a Kayl said, ignoring Mark. aThe Magicseekersa"a aThe Magicseekers are currently facing the full strength and power of three Elder Mothers and two full Stars of the Sisterhood,a Corrana said with maddening calm. aIam surprised you didnat notice.a aNotice what?a aFerianek has managed to temporarily lift the influence of the Tower on our magic,a the sorceress replied. The star-shaped emblem of the Sisterhood glittered on her shoulder, as though emphasizing her words. aUnfortunately, there is no way of knowing how long Ferianekas spell will last, so the three of us must complete his work.a aMother, are you all right?a Mark insisted.

aIam fine, Mark,a Kayl said, still staring at Corrana. aWhy did you bring the children in here?a aI did that,a Glyndon said. Kayl was too stunned to reply at once, and he went on. aThe Magicseekers would have figured out fairly quickly that Dara is the akeya theyare looking for. This is the only place where they canat get at her, and sheas as safe here as out there.a aSafe? Are you out of your wits? The creaturea"a aThe thing that calls is back that way,a Dara broke in. She pointed at a narrow wooden doorway beside the stone stairs. aItas waiting.a Kayl shook her head. Too much was happening too quickly; it was more than she could take in. aWhat?a aThe thing that calls is waiting for something,a Dara repeated. aI can feel it. It doesnat know weare inside. So itas all right for us to stay here for a while.a aNo, it is not,a Corrana said. aWe do not have much time, and we have wasted enough of it already. We must find Gadeironas Crystal, and quickly.a aI doubt that itas moved,a Glyndon said.

aLead us, then.a Glyndon looked at Kayl. Kayl made herself nod.

aWarn us if you feel the thing that calls coming closer,a Glyndon said to Dara. He lifted his staff and started up the stone staircase.

Corrana followed at once. Mark and Dara looked hesitantly at Kayl. She had a lingering impulse to leave them there or send them back outside, but she suppressed it. There was no sense in pretending that either place was any safer than accompanying Glyndon would be. She motioned the children to go ahead of her, then followed with her sword ready.

The climb seemed to take much longer than she remembered. Halfway up, Mark peered out a slender window and announced, aTheyare still fighting outside.a aGood,a Kayl said. aThen we still have a little time.a Mark leaned forward. aThereas Ferianek! He doesnat look too good.a aThatas enough, Mark!a Kayl said, hauling him back. aDo you want to get an arrow through your throat?a aAw, n.o.body could hit me way up here!a aThey certainly could. Why do you think these windows were made so small? Itas so archers inside the Tower could fire without giving enemy archers much of a target to shoot back at.a aReally?a Mark craned his neck, studying the narrow window with new interest.

Kayl gave her son a push. aClimb, Mark.a They reached the top of the stairs at last and paused before the wooden door. Glyndon looked at Dara. aAnything happening?a aItas still waiting,a Dara reported.

Glyndon nodded and pushed the door open. Kayl blinked at the brightness of the light that poured into the gloomy stairwell, then followed the others into the circular room beyond. The arched windows, the tapestry-covered walls, and the high dome were unchanged. The knee-high pedestal and the enormous crystal cube that stood on it were not even dusty. Kayl was surprised to realize how familiar it all felt, despite the fact that she had hardly thought of it in the months since she had remembered its existence.

aI donat like this place,a Mark said softly. aIt feels like somebody died.a aMore than one,a Kayl said. She looked at Mark uneasily; she had felt the same way, the first time she had entered this room. aStay away from the walls and as close to the Crystal as you can without getting in anyoneas way,a she told him. aAnd donat touch anything!a Mark and Dara exchanged disgusted glances, but moved obediently forward. Glyndon and Corrana were already standing beside the Crystal. Glyndon looked a little pale; Kayl tried to convince herself that it was because of the brightness of the light reflecting off the surface of the Crystal. Then he leaned forward and brushed the tip of a finger across one edge of the cube.

Nothing happened. Glyndonas shoulders relaxed somewhat. He looked at Dara, who shook her head, and more of the tension drained visibly away. He leaned against his staff and turned to Corrana.

aCall up as much of your magic as you dare, then touch the Crystal,a he told her. aBut keep it brief.a Corrana raised an eyebrow. aI thought we were going to try to repair it.a aFirst I intend to make sure Iam not running my head into a noose,a Glyndon said. aFor all I know, using any magic in connection with this crystal may summon the black thing. If that happens weare all dead.a aMust we waste time this way? You used spells on it before,a Corrana said, but she raised her hand above the Crystal.

aThe Crystal wasnat broken last time I was here. Who knows what thatas done to it? And if weare going to speak of wasting timeaa Corranaas hand came down in a smooth, graceful motion; Kayl almost missed the moment when the fingers brushed the cube. Again, nothing happened. Glyndon breathed a sigh of relief. aGood. Now, if youall link your magic with mineaa The conversation became technical. Kayl walked to the window at the front of the Tower and looked down on the fighting. A half-dome of silver light rose protectively over the little group of Sisters that stood before the door of the Twisted Tower. Kayl smiled. The star-s.h.i.+eld was a powerful protection indeed; the Magicseekers had already fallen back, and their wizards were consulting with Utrilo.

Then Kayl studied the group inside the dome more closely, and her smile faded. The body of a Magicseeker lay just inside the dome of light; beside it, one of the healers was tending a crumpled figure in the robes of the Sisterhood. A second casualty had been moved nearer to the Tower, where she would be out of the way of further fighting. The rest of the Sisters were drawn up in two lines, guarding the Elder Mothers and the Tower door. Barthelmy stood just in front of the Tower door, with Ferianek crouched beside her. Kayl frowned. Until Glyndon and Corrana managed to remove the spell that was blocking the Sistersa magic, Ferianek remained the key to holding off the Magicseekers. And it did not look as if Ferianek would last much longer. The Sisters might be forced to take refuge in the Twisted Tower. She did not find the thought comforting.

Kayl turned back to the Crystal to find Corrana and Glyndon staring into it as if entranced. Each of them rested one hand on the top face of the cube. Kayl hesitated, wondering whether she ought to be concerned. She was about to knock Glyndonas hand away from the Crystal, when he sighed, s.h.i.+fted, and blinked. An instant later, Corrana followed suit. The two wizards took their hands from the Crystal and stared at each other.

aNothing,a Corrana said in tones of deep frustration. aAll that effort, and weare no further than we were when we began. This thing might as well be a lump of granite for all we can find out about it!a aI expected as much,a Glyndon said. aThe first time we were here, none of us could get so much as an echo of power from any spell we tried on it.a aIf you expected this, why did you insist that we try?a Corrana demanded. aWe havenat time to repeat the mistakes you made sixteen years ago!a aThat isnat fair, Corrana,a Kayl broke in. aGlyndon is doing all he can.a Corrana turned. aIs he?a Her tone held a cool curiosity that was somehow far worse than anger or sarcasm.

aCan you think of another way to discover what blocks your magic besides repeating the things we did and see which one affects you?a Glyndon demanded. aIf we knew what we were doing, it would be a different matter.a aI think such efforts would mean more if the Crystal were repaired first,a Corrana replied sweetly.

Kaylas hand went automatically to the belt-pocket where she had put the crystal chip that morning. She stopped in mid-reach, angry at the way Corrana was baiting Glyndon and afraid of the possible consequences of repairing the Crystal. The nagging feeling that Corrana was right only made Kayl more irritable. aWhatever the two of you are going to do, stop arguing and do it,a she said at last in the tone she used to tell Mark and Dara to stop squabbling. aYouare both wasting time.a aAll right,a Glyndon said. His eyes met hers, and she saw her own fears reflected in them. Then Glyndon held out his hand. aGive me the chip.a Kayl fumbled at her belt. The chip sprang free unexpectedly, and fell. Instinctively, Kayl caught it; then she sucked in her breath as she realized what she had done. But no uncomfortable memories washed over her, and she looked up, her face stiff with astonishment.

aKayla"a Glyndon started, his voice full of concern.

aItas all right, Glyndon; it doesnat seem to do anything now,a Kayl cut in. aHere, see for yourself.a She held out the chip of crystal and, after a momentary hesitation, Glyndon took it. His eyes widened; then he shook his head. aI donat know why Iam surprised. The main cube didnat force memories on me, but it never occurred to me that this might behave the same way, in here.a aCan we get on with our task?a Corrana said pointedly.

Glyndon nodded with an absent air; he was still looking at the crystal chip. Then he shook himself. He stepped to the broken corner of the cube and fitted the chip against it. Corrana laid her hand over his and they both began murmuring once more. It seemed to Kayl as if the spell went on forever. At last the wizards finished, and Glyndon sagged against his staff.

Corrana lifted her hand; after a moment, Glyndon did likewise. For an instant, the cube appeared whole and perfect; then the crystal chip slid to the floor with a pure, ringing note. Glyndon jerked upright and closed his eyes. aIt didnat work.a aThen we must try something else,a Corrana said sharply. She bent and picked up the crystal chip. aPerhaps it could be melted into place.a aHow?a Glyndon shook his head. aNo, weare going at this all wrong.a aIndeed. Well, then, just what would you suggest?a aWe should have stayed to examine the way Ferianek lifted the spell that blocks your magic. Watching it might have given us a useful approach to this,a Glyndon said, waving at the cube. His face was a study in frustrated irritation.

aYou would not have learned much,a said Utrilo Levoil from the doorway. aYour friendas efforts simply did not last long enough.a Kayl swung around and took two long steps forward as she reached for her sword, placing herself between Mark and Dara. She checked herself before her hand touched the hilt. Three Magicseekers stood beside Utrilo, and one of them held a dagger at Javierias throat. The Elder Mother looked completely stunned; it was obvious to Kayl that, though she had spoken of it, Javieri had never really believed in the possibility of defeat.

aVery sensible of you,a Utrilo said approvingly as Glyndon and Corrana also let their hands fall away from their weapons. aWe brought her along merely as a token of our intentions; the rest of your people are also hostage to your good behavior.a aThatas impossible!a Kayl said. Corrana would surely have known if Ferianekas spell had been broken, for her own magic would have failed with it. Kayl did not point this out to Utrilo; instead, she gestured toward the window behind her. aI just sawa"a aYou saw what Sessever and his a.s.sociates arranged for you to see,a Utrilo said in a smug voice. aHeas quite good with illusions, though his real strengths lie in other areas.a aIam surprised Barthelmy let you in,a Glyndon commented. He raised his left hand and dropped it casually onto the top of the crystal cube.

aWith the proper inducement, anyone can be made to see reason,a Utrilo replied. The Magicseeker holding Javieri twisted her arm for emphasis; Javieri flinched. aThrow your weapons against that wall,a Utrilo went on in the same casual tone. aOr we kill your friends, starting with her. And you, get away from that cube.a Quickly, Corrana stripped off her dagger, sheath and all, and tossed it lightly in the indicated direction. Glyndon hesitated, then stepped away from the Crystal and did likewise. aThe staff and the star, too,a Utrilo said. aAnd your sword as well, Mistress Kayl.a Kayl knew better than to argue; it wouldnat take much imagination for Utrilo to think of threatening Mark and Dara. She unbuckled her swordbelt and followed Utriloas order. Corrana moved more slowly, her fingers lingering on the symbol of her magic and her ties to the Sisterhood. Glyndon studied Javieri and the Magicseekers for a moment, then looked at Kayl. She nodded, and Glyndon reluctantly slid his staff across the floor to join the rest of the weapons.

aSo.a Utrilo looked speculatively from Kayl to Glyndon. aIad been wondering how you fit into this, wizard. I think now I know.a Glyndon inclined his head ironically, and Kayl had to force herself not to scream at him. He must know how much Magicseekers hated Varnans; he shouldnat bait them, particularly if there was a chance Utrilo had not realized that Glyndon was Varnan.

aDoes that change whatever you want from us now?a Corrana asked. Her face was expressionless and her voice gave away nothing of her thoughts.

aNaturally not.a Utrilo gave her another of his patronizing, toothy smiles. aBut before we move on to our main task, I wish to see what it is that you are trying so hard to conceal there in your hand.a Corrana did not move. Utrilo gestured one of his companions forward. The woman obeyed, drawing her dagger as she came across the floor. She stopped in front of Corrana and held out her right hand, the dagger ready in her left. Corrana shrugged and dropped the crystal chip into the Magicseekeras palm.

aMother!a Dara whispered. aMother, I think that the calling thing is coming.a Kayl looked down. Her daughteras face was white and frightened. aUtrilo!a Kayl said urgently.

The leader of the Magicseekers continued to study the crystal chip. aTake it down to Sessever,a he told the woman holding it. aHe may be able to make something of it.a The woman bowed and left. Utrilo turned calmly to Kayl. aNow, I believe you wanted something?a he said with mocking politeness.

aWe have to get out of here at once,a Kayl said. aThereas aa a creature coming that will kill us all if we stay.a aOh, I doubt that,a Utrilo said, rocking back on his heels. aI do doubt that.a aIt doesnat matter, Kayl,a Glyndon said. aAs soon as I saw them, I used the cube to re-seal the Tower. Wead have to start from the beginning to open it again. Even if we had the time, I couldnat do it alone.a aThen weare trapped?a Kayl said numbly. aTrapped, with the black thing coming? Glyndon, why?a aItas better than letting the Magicseekers control the Crystal,a Glyndon said. aIam sorry, Kayl.a Utrilo laughed. aSuch a futile gesture! I donat want to control the Crystal, wizard. I intend to destroy it.a His eyes glittered as he spoke.

aYou canat!a Glyndon cried. aThe crystal is what holds the black creature prisoner here!a aExactly.a Utrilo stepped forward, drawing his sword.

The wall behind Utrilo began to ooze blackness. Corrana took an involuntary step backward. Dara whimpered, and Kayl pushed her closer to the Crystal, remembering vaguely that the blackness had seemed to avoid that area until the very last. The Magicseekers near the doorway s.h.i.+fted uneasily and moved farther into the room, away from the wall and the open doorway. Utrilo did not appear to notice; his eyes were fixed on the Crystal. Glyndon glanced at the blackness, his face rigid, then stepped in front of the Crystal, forcing Utrilo to look at him.

aAre you mad, wanting to loose that thing on the world?a Glyndon demanded. aLook at it!a aBut it wonat be loose,a Utrilo said softly. He bared his teeth in a grimace that might have been intended as a smile. aWhen I destroy the Crystal that masters it, I will become its Master. Thatas why it called me here, to bring it out of the Tower and guide it.a aYou cannot control that,a Corrana said quietly. aYou are a fool indeed to think of trying.a A scream of agony came echoing up the stairs, then abruptly cut off. aI think your messenger has discovered the spell that seals the Tower door,a Glyndon said to Utrilo.

Dara shuddered and her eyes went wide. aItas free,a she said. aThe thing is free.a aNo!a Utrilo howled. aI have to be the one to free it!a He lunged for Gadeironas Crystal, sword raised.

CHAPTER.

THIRTY.

Glyndon jumped sideways and caught the Magicseekeras sword arm. Kayl cried out and leaped to help Glyndon. One of Utriloas men thrust himself into Kaylas path, blocking her from reaching Glyndon. Corrana, who had also moved toward the struggle, stopped as well, her eyes flickering from Glyndon and Utrilo to the man still holding his dagger against a limp, dazed Javieri.

Kayl stared down the length of the sword that the Magicseeker held warningly in front of her. aDonat be a fool!a she said desperately. aWeall all die if we donat work together now.a aShe is right,a Corrana said. aWill you throw your life away in the service of a madman? Look!a She gestured toward the doorway.

The wall was now a ma.s.s of s.h.i.+vering blackness that completely blocked the exit. It crept forward with excruciating slowness, inching along the walls and occasionally surging forward to occupy another handsbreadth of floor. Kayl could hear cries of terror drifting faintly through the window of the Tower. The black creature must be spreading outside as well; perhaps that was why it seemed to be taking so long to surround the Tower room.

The Magicseeker hesitated visibly, and for a moment Kayl hoped. His companion s.h.i.+fted uneasily and turned his head, trying to get a better look at the threat behind him. As he did, Javieri came suddenly alive. She twisted, then threw all her weight against the man who held her. The Magicseeker staggered backward, closer to the doorway and the darkness. Corrana sprang to Javierias a.s.sistance, and the man in front of Kayl moved sideways to stop her.

Kayl took a half-step backward and planted her left foot. Then she brought her right leg around in a powerful kick that connected perfectly with the Magicseekeras wrist. His sword flew across the room, hit the floor with a clang, and slid into the curtain of living darkness. Before he could recover himself, Kayl stepped forward and struck him solidly on the jaw with her left hand. He shook his head and swung at her, groping for his dagger with his other hand. Kayl ducked and kicked at him again.

The blow knocked the Magicseekeras feet from under him, and he went down. Kayl leaped over him toward Glyndon and Utrilo. At the same moment Utrilo snarled and twisted, wrenching his arm from Glyndonas grasp at last. Still snarling, Utrilo brought his sword around in a vicious cut that caught Glyndonas left arm just below the shoulder and knocked him backward.

Glyndon fell heavily, blood pouring from the deep wound. Kayl ran to him, knowing that the blood loss had to be stopped until a healer could see to him. Her hands went automatically to her waist, seeking something to tie around his arm, but she had removed her sword-belt earlier at Utriloas command.

aNo!a Glyndon gasped as she reached him. aThe Crystal!a Simultaneously, a pure, ringing sound echoed through the Tower room. Utrilo had struck the crystal, but it had not broken. Kayl thought she saw the blackness flinch away from the sound, but she had no time to consider what that might mean. She forced herself to turn away from Glyndon, and saw that Utrilo had raised his sword for a second blow. She threw herself forward, knowing as she did that she could not reach him in time.

Suddenly Utrilo cried out and staggered. His sword came down in a crooked, glancing blow that sent another chime ringing through the room but did no harm to the crystal cube. Utrilo clutched at his thigh and glared at a small, blond figure that had darted at him from around the pedestal on which the Crystal rested.

aLittle demon-sp.a.w.n!a Utrilo spat. aIall kill you for that.a Mark said nothing. He stood in a fighteras crouch, watching Utrilo warily. His face was pale and there was blood on the small bronze-bladed dagger he held. He backed toward the doorway. Utrilo lunged forward, evading Kayl almost by accident. Kayl scrambled to change direction, hoping she could reach Utrilo before he reached Mark or Mark backed into the black thing that covered the wall. She heard Javieri scream from behind her, and the hoa.r.s.e cries of the Magicseekers, but she did not turn to look. Then she saw a lump the size of a babyas head bulge out of the darkness behind Mark, and she cried a warning.

Mark danced aside as a thick, black tentacle lashed out from the bulge, narrowly missing him. Utrilo started to move to his left to cut off the boyas retreat. Kayl lowered her shoulder, took three fast steps forward, and hit Utrilo Levoil in the small of his back, throwing him toward the groping tentacle.

As Utrilo stumbled forward, trying desperately to regain his balance, the black tentacle whipped sideways. Utrilo gave a scream of terror as it wrapped itself around his legs; Kayl could see his armor smoking where the black thing touched it. The tentacle began to retract, pulling Utrilo off his feet and toward the wall of blackness. He slashed uselessly at the tentacle, then dropped his sword and clawed at the floor, trying to halt his slow progress toward the wall.

Kayl grabbed Markas arm and pulled him back toward the center of the room and relative safety. Utrilo screamed again, this time in agony; the black thing had eaten through his armor. Kayl plucked Markas knife out of his hand, hefted it briefly to test the balance, then threw it at Utriloas agonized face.

The knife struck cleanly through Utriloas right eye into the brain. Utriloas body convulsed once, then went limp. An instant later the black thing surged forward over the remains of the Magicseeker leader.

Mark shuddered and hid his face in Kaylas side. Kayl drew him farther back from the advancing creature and glanced quickly around to see how her companions were faring. Dara was kneeling beside Glyndon, doing her best to stop the bleeding from his wounded shoulder. Corrana was staring, white-faced, at an area of the black creature near the doorway. One of the Magicseekers had a one-handed grip on her arm. His other hand held his sword ready, but the weapon faced the black thing, not Corrana. The Magicseekeras sword blade was dark and pitted; he had obviously tried attacking the blackness with it at least once. Kayl saw no sign of Javieri or the other Magicseeker.

aGet back!a Kayl called sharply to all of them. aBack beside the cube. Itall be safe there for a little while yet.a She pulled Mark with her as she followed her own advice. aStay there,a she said firmly, positioning him beside the Crystal. Then she turned to Corrana and the Magicseeker. aHelp me move Glyndon.a aWhat is that thing?a the Magicseeker demanded. He let go of Corranaas arm, but his eyes remained fixed on the slowly spreading darkness.

aIf we knew, maybe we could stop it,a Kayl said. aCome on.a She knelt by Glyndon, who was groggy but not yet quite unconscious, and gently slid her arms beneath his head and his good shoulder.

The Magicseeker did not move. aMaybe we could jump out the windows.a aIf the fall didnat kill you, the creature would,a Corrana said. aIt is no longer limited to the Tower.a The blackness was oozing dangerously near to Glyndon. aI canat move him alone,a Kayl snapped at Corrana, hiding her fear behind anger. aOr do you want to let that thing have him?a aWhatas the use?a the Magicseeker said. He started to sheath his sword, then looked at the blackened, pitted blade and flung it away with a curse.

Corrana gave him a long look, then turned and joined Kayl. She knelt and worked her arms carefully under Glyndonas legs. Then, without looking up, she said in a low voice, aI couldnat keep that thing from taking Javieri. Iall do what I must to keep it from getting Glyndon as well.a aDonat blame yourself,a Kayl said. aNothing seems to do any good against that stuff. Now lift, easy.a Together, they slid Glyndon a little closer to the crystal cube, away from the encroaching blackness. aAgain,a Kayl said. aI want him right at the foot of the pedestal.a As they s.h.i.+fted into better positions for the next effort, the Magicseeker crouched beside Corrana and added his strength to theirs. With his help, they reached the base of the pedestal in one try. aThank you,a Kayl said.

The Magicseeker stood up and turned away with a shrug. aItas halfway around the room now,a he said, and his voice was unsteady. aWhat happens next?a Kayl smoothed wisps of hair back from Glyndonas forehead and rose. Mark and Dara moved closer to her, and she automatically put an arm around each of them. aI donat know,a she told the Magicseeker. aIt isnat behaving the same way it did last time I was here.a aHow much time do we have?a Corrana said quietly.