Norton, Andre - Chapbook 04 by Serpent's Tooth (v1.0) Read Free Book Online Page B

began to try to set the pace
for himself, to be quickly forced into the maelstrom of color.
     
    It
was a battle, and his uncovered skin pricked and stung.   Modic had again
fallen to hands and knees.   Even his head
hung low so he did not watch the way ahead, he merely crawled toward the source
of the light.
     
    Rentam was able to slow his advance though he could not tear himself free
of the strong pull upon him.   Still he
quested with tongue tip, thrusting that even farther into the crackling air
about.
     
    The
light must have a source, and having a source it must be set, meant to protect
it's own inner sanctum as he had seen its overflow light up the sky in the
first coming of their party.   Animal,
biped, brain . . . thought process which?
     
    His
flesh was so seared by assault... what awaited him?   For the first time ... his Betweener -born organ for detection brought him no knowledge.   There was nothing ahead, that sense insisted,
but the light itself, and that was not tended by any living thing.
     
    The
way was growing narrower as the great room started to close in about them to
form a corridor.   Here the treasure was
less visible. There were more skeletons, insignias of office mingled with
brittle bones, and there were indeed weapons he knew, some lying half into the red
flood of the stream from which he edged away as it began to flow widening more
and more.   The stench rising from it was
choking.   Rentam coughed hollowly and leaned with one hand against the wall as he steadied himself
against unseen gusts which struck him.
     
    Modic halted.   Then he hunched
in a crouch, sweeping his hands from side to side about him though without
seeming to see what lay there. By chance his fingers curved about one of the rodlike things which Rentam believed
was a weapon.   Still not raising his head
so that he might look at what he had found, the Seeker allowed the rod to slip
through his fingers until a dark band meant for a grip was resting in his hold.
     
    Rentam was not prepared for what followed.   Modic swung around,
moving with the speed of a trained hand and foot warrior.
     
    The
end of that rod pointed unerringly at Rentam's middle, though the Seeker still did not lift his head.
     
    No!   Rentam's sense had
never proved to be deceptive but it had to be so now ... it had to be!   There was life in the other but it had dwindled
down as might the last coal of a fire being fast smothered. In its place ...
the guide's tongue tip sent a thrill of pain through his body, kept him pinned
to the wall.   There was life ending ...
and nothing, nothing gathered beyond to take its place.
     
    Yet Modic was on his knees, his head hanging forward
nearly resting on his chest.
     
    Not
dead ... possessed!   Other evil tales
from the wild slipped into memory.   The
Seeker gave body room and aid to something else.... Only, when Rentam strove to touch that, to discover what had chained
the River worlder to such a trap, he could not pick
up anything save always the burning of the power.
     
    Rentam jerked his body to the left as that weapon pointed in his direction.   He felt the heat of a ray which burst at
him.   It was gone as quickly as two
breaths, though Modic still held it aimed at the Betweener .   Rentam saw the other's hand tighten about the band on the rod
with full strength.
     
    The
shining length of his own find was ready.   In its heart, flaring from the butt to the broken point, was a rich roll
of color.
     
    That
twisted as if to wrench itself free but Rentam's six
fingers held tight.   His whole body
jerked as if the artifact from the city ruin was a rope with him imprisoned in
a loop.   He flailed out with his other arm,
striving to keep his balance, and so struck against Modic .
     
    Whether
the unexpected contact between their bodies was the reason or not, the Seeker
staggered halfway around to bring up the strange weapon.   That gesture was never completed, for Modic's rod, touching by