At the Gates of Darkness Read Online Free PDF Page B

arisen.”
    “Really?” asked the younger magician. He looked at Jim for corroboration.
    “I think so, as well,” said Jim.
    “Very well,” said Jason, rising from behind the small desk. “Come with me.” He picked up the candleholder.
    He led them out of the room, across the floor of the keep’s great hall. Brandos stood near his wife beside the large hearth where a pot of stew was simmering. The old fighter shot a questioning look at Amirantha, but with an inclination of his head the Warlock indicated to stay where he was.
    Jason led them up a flight of stairs to the upper floor of the main building, and down a long hall that traversed the building, to the tower opposite the one in which Amirantha resided. The single candle Jason held was the only light on that floor. To the best of the Warlock’s knowledge, that tower was empty, save for an enchantment on the top floor that caused an ominous blue light to glow whenever a ship approached sight of the castle.
    They walked up a circular staircase, to the second to the last floor, and Jason opened a door. The room was bare, save for a construct of wood, two curving poles that sat atop a base of what looked like metal. Amirantha glanced at Jason and said, “Tsurani?”
    The young magician said, “Design. Pug built it.”
    “What is it?” asked Jim.
    “A rift gate,” said Amirantha. “What our friends the Star Elves call a portal.”
    Jason went to a small shelf near a shuttered window and pulled down a small cloth bag. He handed the candle to Jim, then knelt and carefully opened the bag. Reaching inside he pulled out an odd-looking device, a square box with odd designs and some strange levers and wheels on it.
    “This was created by some artificer up in LaMut, of Tsurani heritage, but not a Tsurani. It’s a little ungainly compared to the old Tsurani devices.” He shrugged as if what he was saying was merely trivia.
    He put it on the base between the two poles, tripped one of the levers, and stood back. “I have no knowledge or ability when it comes to rift magic,” said the magician. “It is difficult and outside my interests. Only Magnus and a few others know much about it, and no one knows what Pug knows. Against the need of summoning him, he had this constructed.”
    Suddenly a whooshing sound filled the room, and a crack of energy, followed by a shimmering between the poles. Then a grey void, with scintillating colors faintly running over the surface, like oil refracting light on water, could be seen.
    “Pug will get the alert in a moment. He should appear as soon as he is able.”
    “Do you know where he went?” asked Jim.
    Jason said, “We only know what he tells us.”
    Long moments dragged by, then suddenly a figure stepped through the rift. A short man with a closelytrimmed beard, Pug still wore the ancient fashion of the Tsurani Great One, a simple black robe and cross-gartered sandals. “What is it?” he asked as soon as he was through.
    Jason inclined his head toward Jim and Amirantha, and it was the Warlock who spoke. “We’re being played for fools, Pug.”
    Pug’s brow wrinkled as he asked, “What do you mean?”
    “I’ll explain,” said Amirantha, “after Jim tells you what he saw a few days ago in the Jal-Pur, but it would help if we had another with us.”
    “Who?”
    “We need an expert on death.”
    Pug looked slightly amused. “I know just the fellow.” He turned and held up his hand, and the Warlock could feel shifting magic in the room, though Jim only perceived it as his “bump of trouble” starting to act up. After a moment, Pug said, “You two, follow me.” To Jason he said, “Put away the toy when we’re through.” He stepped into the rift and Jim turned and said, “Send word to Captain Jenson to weigh anchor and make for Krondor. I’ll find him there.” He turned and followed Pug.
    Just before he entered, Amirantha turned to Jason and said, “You also might tell Samantha that Jim and I will be