At the Gates of Darkness by Raymond E. Feist Read Free Book Online Page A

second-in-command?”
    The question seemed to startle him for a moment, as she was the Father-Bishop’s adiuvare. “Why, no,” he said, “I mean, you are the second-in-command, but with the Father-Bishop gone, you are…I mean, no, there’s no one designated as such.”
    “Very well,” she replied. “You are my adiuvare, as of now.”
    He blinked, then said, “I guess that’s all right.”
    “As I am currently the highest-ranking member of the order west of Malac’s Cross, of course it’s all right.”
    He seemed to take this in stride as she stood up and put the report under her tunic. “Next, have my horse made ready with a week’s provisions.”
    “Your horse?” asked the clerk.
    “Yes,” said Sandreena. “I need to depart on a mission today.”
    “But who…?” he began, then saw her looking at him. “Me?”
    “You’re in charge until I get back,” she said.
    He was almost speechless, but nodded and said, “I’ll have your horse made ready, sister.”
    She waited until he was gone then indulged herself in a low growl of frustration. “You bastard,” she said softly with Creegan in mind. “That kiss…” If she had mistaken it for some sort of signal of passion withheld over the years, reading the report and thinking of what Creegan had said rid her of that notion. It was a kiss of apology. Yes, she thought, he wouldn’t tell me what he would do if he was staying, because she was now doing exactly what he would do, which was send her out on a mission that would most likely get her killed.
    Swearing at the curse in her life that was men, she moved out of his office and headed to the armory to see if her newfound rank would get her better armor and weapons.

CHAPTER 4
D EATH M AGIC
    P ug held up his hand.
    The two black-armored guardsmen at the door to the ancient temple were startled to see the three men appear apparently out of a grey void that had not been there moments before. Pug said, “We’re here to see the High Priest.”
    Amirantha looked up at the sky and saw a dark, starry night, clear and dry. “We’re somewhere to the east, aren’t we?”
    Jim said, “Rillanon. This is the temple of Lims-Kragma.”
    Amirantha said, “That makes sense.”
    No one on the world of Midkemia would have more knowledge of all aspects of death than theHigh Priest of the Goddess of Death. The two guards still appeared unsettled by the sudden arrival, but their duty was to defend the portal only if obvious attack was under way—most of the time they were merely there to see that those coming to offer prayers for the departed remained orderly. One finally indicated with a wave of his hand that they were free to enter.
    They passed through a large antechamber, replete with frescoes of the Death Goddess showing her as a warm, welcoming figure who was the eventual judge of every mortal being. That led them into the vast hall that was the main cathedral of the Goddess. Along both side walls, tiered benches were erected for contemplation and prayer by the faithful, while along the back wall two rows of shelves held hundreds of votive candles, most of which were alight. A burning flame to light the way of a loved one into Lims-Kragma’s halls.
    Pug took a moment to regard the heroic statue, some twelve feet high, of the Goddess, holding out one hand in a welcoming gesture, and in the other holding a silver net. The implication was obvious: no one escaped the drawer of nets, but she welcomed all equally. Pug found the image somewhat ironic, as he had been very adept at avoiding her welcome in the past, though the bargain he made with her was taking its toll on his mind and heart.
    Three priests were praying before the statue, while off to one side several petitioners to the Goddess’s mercy for a recently departed loved one lit candles and offered prayers. One of the priests saw the three men approaching with purpose and rose to greet them.
    “Pug,” he said in a neutral tone, inclining his head in a