Jack Of Shadows by Roger Zelazny Read Free Book Online Page B

your place. If you wish to renegotiate the boundary by a contest of forces, let us be about it now. As for the prisoner, you are aware that he is himself a Power-one of the few mobile ones. He draws his strength from no single locale, but from a condition of light and darkness. His captor cannot but benefit from his services; therefore, he is mine. Do you agree, Lord of Offal? Or shall we reestablish the boundary this moment?"
    "I see that your power is with you-"
    "Then we are obviously within my realm. Go home now, Baron."
    Having circled to the far side of the marker, Jack made his way quietly into the darkness beyond. He had had the opportunity to spring back across the boundary and perhaps precipitate a struggle; but whatever its outcome, he would have been someone's captive. Better to fly, in the only direction open. He moved more quickly.
    Glancing back, he saw what appeared to be a continuation of the argument, for the Baron was stamping about and gesturing wildly. He could hear his angry shouts, though he had come too far to distinguish the words being shouted. He broke into a run, knowing that his absence would not remain unnoticed much longer. He topped a small rise, raced down its eastern slope, cursing the loss of his blade.
    He tired quickly but forced himself to move at a dog-trot, stopping only to arm himself with two easily held stones.
    Then for a moment his shadow lay long before him, and he stopped and turned in his tracks. A great blaze of light had occurred beyond the hill and within it, like ashes or blown leaves, hordes of bats were eddying, rising, darting. Before he could take advantage of shadows, the light dimmed and darkness came again. The only sound now was his own heavy breathing. He glanced at the stars for guidance and hurried on, looking as he went for a hiding place from the pursuit that he knew would follow.
    He kept glancing back but there was no recurrence of the phenomenon. He wondered as to the outcome of the conflict. The Baron, despite his brutish mien, was commonly known to be an uncommonly able sorcerer; also, the situation of the border indicated that both stood at the same relative distances from their places of power.
    It would be pleasant, he decided, if they would annihilate one another. Although that was unlikely. Pity.
    Knowing that by now his absence must have been noted and realizing that the only thing which could stay pursuit would be a drawn-out struggle, he prayed that it would be a lengthy affair, adding the observation that the ideal outcome would entail death or severe injury for all parties involved.
    As if to mock his petition, it was only a brief while later that a dark form flitted past him. He hurled both his stones, but they went wide of the mark.
    Resolving not to travel in a straight line, he turned to his left and headed in that direction. He was walking slowly to conserve his strength; and as perspiration evaporated, he felt the chill once again. Or was it just that?
    It seemed as if a dark form paced him, far to his left. Whenever he turned his head in that direction, it vanished. Staring straight ahead, however, he detected something of a movement from the corner of his eye. It seemed to be drawing nearer.
    Soon it was at his side. He felt the presence, though he could barely discern it. While it made
    no hostile movements, he prepared to defend himself at its first touch.
    "May I inquire as to the state of your health?" came the soft, sweet voice.
    Suppressing a shudder, Jack said, "I am hungry, thirsty and tired."
    "How unfortunate. I will see that those conditions are soon remedied."
    "Why?"
    "It is my custom to treat my guests with every courtesy."
    "I was not aware of my being anyone's guest."
    "All visitors to my realm are my guests, Jack, even those who abused my hospitality on previous occasions."
    "That is good to know-especially if it means that you will offer me assistance in reaching your eastern frontier as quickly and safely as