The Gates of Night: The Dreaming Dark - Book 3 by Keith Baker Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Keith Baker
ethereal orb-eating—
It wasn’t a whale
.
It was the first time Shira had actually interrupted his train of thought, and it was a disturbing sensation. Buteven as he considered this, he could feel the spirit’s remorse.
It has been a considerable time since I have been able to share my thoughts. I do not intend to interfere with your actions
.
But could you?
There was no response. Shira was not an active presence in Pierce’s mind. He could only feel her when she “spoke,” and when she chose to retreat there was no way for him to sense her thoughts or emotions.
Was he concerned?
A moment ago, he had allowed Shira to take control of his voice. It was Shira who had concluded that beneath her bravado, the drow woman was confused and afraid, and it was Shira who spoke the language of the dark elves. While Pierce focused his attention on his bow, remaining ready to loose an arrow the instant danger threatened Lei, Shira spoke through him and tried to calm the drow warrior. She had asked his permission, and Pierce
felt
as if he’d been in control of the situation, but could she have taken his voice against his wishes?
We were designed to work together
. The thought blossomed in his mind.
I have no desire to take away your freedom
.
But could you?
“Pierce?”
Lei’s voice pulled Pierce from his reverie. Both Daine and Lei were staring at him. Usually he could listen to Shira and another conversation at the same time, but this time he’d been so distracted by the inner voice that he’d lost track of the outside world.
Daine asked if you were prepared to explore
.
“Yes, captain, I am ready,” Pierce said. “I apologize, my lady. There is much on my mind of late.”
Daine nodded, but Pierce could see concern—orwas it suspicion?—in his eyes.
“Well, Lei,” said Daine, “open it up.”
Lei laid her hand on the center of the floor.
“Doreshk tul’kas,”
she murmured, invoking the powers of the sphere. Light pooled around her hand and surged toward the wall. A moment later the glass fell away from the light, opening a portal to the outside world.
And the night flowed in.
There was only a whisper of wind, but the change in the atmosphere was remarkable. The air of Thelanis was moist and rich, heavy with the scent of grass and fresh rain. Both Karul’tash and the crystal capsule had been dry and sterile, and his three companions paused to enjoy the cool breeze and fresh air. Pierce didn’t breathe. Though he felt the change in temperature and humidity, there was no pleasure in it; the sensations were simply information, warning of what might lie beyond the portal. He glanced at Daine and received a confirming nod. Bow in hand, Pierce slipped through the opening and into the world.
The ground was cool beneath his feet: soft soil, sedge grass sheened with evening dew. Pierce took a step to the left, his back against the crystal shell of the sphere, and surveyed his surroundings. They appeared to be in the middle of a vast, rolling plain. A few small shrubs scattered across the landscape, but no trees could be seen. What stood out were the stones. These outcroppings of gray rock varied tremendously in size, ranging from boulders barely the size of Pierce’s head to massive tors that dwarfed the planar carriage. Faint patches of light glistened on the stones—some form of phosphorescence, which gave the impression of ghosts clinging to the granite shards. The sky was the pure black of deep night, clear of all clouds. A multitude ofstars filled the heavens, surrounding a single moon: a full orb larger than any of the twelve moons of Eberron. Pale gold, its dim radiance spread across the moors below.
Pierce circled the sphere. The plains stretched out in all directions. While the stone outcroppings offered easy cover for enemies, Pierce could see no motion. Returning to the portal of the orb, he gestured to Daine—
Clear passage
.
Daine emerged from the orb, both blades drawn and ready. Lei
It wasn’t a whale
.
It was the first time Shira had actually interrupted his train of thought, and it was a disturbing sensation. Buteven as he considered this, he could feel the spirit’s remorse.
It has been a considerable time since I have been able to share my thoughts. I do not intend to interfere with your actions
.
But could you?
There was no response. Shira was not an active presence in Pierce’s mind. He could only feel her when she “spoke,” and when she chose to retreat there was no way for him to sense her thoughts or emotions.
Was he concerned?
A moment ago, he had allowed Shira to take control of his voice. It was Shira who had concluded that beneath her bravado, the drow woman was confused and afraid, and it was Shira who spoke the language of the dark elves. While Pierce focused his attention on his bow, remaining ready to loose an arrow the instant danger threatened Lei, Shira spoke through him and tried to calm the drow warrior. She had asked his permission, and Pierce
felt
as if he’d been in control of the situation, but could she have taken his voice against his wishes?
We were designed to work together
. The thought blossomed in his mind.
I have no desire to take away your freedom
.
But could you?
“Pierce?”
Lei’s voice pulled Pierce from his reverie. Both Daine and Lei were staring at him. Usually he could listen to Shira and another conversation at the same time, but this time he’d been so distracted by the inner voice that he’d lost track of the outside world.
Daine asked if you were prepared to explore
.
“Yes, captain, I am ready,” Pierce said. “I apologize, my lady. There is much on my mind of late.”
Daine nodded, but Pierce could see concern—orwas it suspicion?—in his eyes.
“Well, Lei,” said Daine, “open it up.”
Lei laid her hand on the center of the floor.
“Doreshk tul’kas,”
she murmured, invoking the powers of the sphere. Light pooled around her hand and surged toward the wall. A moment later the glass fell away from the light, opening a portal to the outside world.
And the night flowed in.
There was only a whisper of wind, but the change in the atmosphere was remarkable. The air of Thelanis was moist and rich, heavy with the scent of grass and fresh rain. Both Karul’tash and the crystal capsule had been dry and sterile, and his three companions paused to enjoy the cool breeze and fresh air. Pierce didn’t breathe. Though he felt the change in temperature and humidity, there was no pleasure in it; the sensations were simply information, warning of what might lie beyond the portal. He glanced at Daine and received a confirming nod. Bow in hand, Pierce slipped through the opening and into the world.
The ground was cool beneath his feet: soft soil, sedge grass sheened with evening dew. Pierce took a step to the left, his back against the crystal shell of the sphere, and surveyed his surroundings. They appeared to be in the middle of a vast, rolling plain. A few small shrubs scattered across the landscape, but no trees could be seen. What stood out were the stones. These outcroppings of gray rock varied tremendously in size, ranging from boulders barely the size of Pierce’s head to massive tors that dwarfed the planar carriage. Faint patches of light glistened on the stones—some form of phosphorescence, which gave the impression of ghosts clinging to the granite shards. The sky was the pure black of deep night, clear of all clouds. A multitude ofstars filled the heavens, surrounding a single moon: a full orb larger than any of the twelve moons of Eberron. Pale gold, its dim radiance spread across the moors below.
Pierce circled the sphere. The plains stretched out in all directions. While the stone outcroppings offered easy cover for enemies, Pierce could see no motion. Returning to the portal of the orb, he gestured to Daine—
Clear passage
.
Daine emerged from the orb, both blades drawn and ready. Lei