Book 1 - Reap the East Wind Read Online Free PDF

on record anywhere, Lord.”
    “It’s very old, then. What about oral traditions among the tribes? I’ve heard there are ruins in the forests. Have you tried to determine their age?”
    “The tribes say there was a war among the gods. The ruins are at least a thousand years old. Probably a lot older. I have my leading necromancer working in the best preserved city. He hasn’t been able to determine more.”
    “Have you consulted Outside?”
    “Demons either don’t know or won’t tell.”
    “I see. How many men have you lost?”
    Shih-ka’i listened to an exact recitation of every detail known about a dozen group disappearances. Tasi-feng indicated their last known positions on the map. Each party had reached the mountains. No other pattern was apparent.
    “Have you tried high altitude search?”
    “Birds refuse to fly over the desert, Lord. I wanted to send a dragon, but my request was refused. Too many perished in the western campaign, they say. They say they need to breed their numbers up. Personally, I think they’re as frightened as the birds.”
    “Oh? Have they been interrogated? Some would be older than those ruins.”
    “If they know anything, they’re not saying. They’re less talkative than the demons.”
    “Curious. Most curious. Lord Lun-yu, I commend you. You’ve been thorough.”
    “There’s little else to do out here, Lord. The centurions complain that it’s just make-work.”
    Shih-ka’i smiled behind his mask. “They would. I’m curious. Lord Kuo seemed to think this a critical puzzle. He was quite concerned. Could you guess why?”
    “I’m not certain, Lord. Perhaps because there have been flickers of the Power beyond the mountains.” He raked a pointer along the top of the wall, over a distance of twenty feet. “They emanated from somewhere here.”
    Shih-ka’i’s gaze bored into the map. In time, he asked, “What’s the quality of the water in those rivers? Fit to drink?”
    “Heavy with minerals, as you might expect. But potable, Lord.” Tasi-feng seemed puzzled by the question.
    “So. We begin narrowing the scope, Lord Lun-yu. The lost missions face the area you just indicated. Accept it as a pattern. We’ll send expeditions immediately, on parallel tracks. A Tervola will accompany each. At evening camp a transfer portal will be opened.” He took the pointer. “When the expeditions reach this line, we’ll set up movable transfers. Five centuries will remain battle-ready at all times. They should be prepared to transfer at a moment’s notice. Hourly reports will be returned, and news of any anomaly immediately. The parties will travel light. Weapons and equipment only. They’ll be supplied through the transfers. They’ll continue their advance till we have some answers. We’ll keep fresh people out there by rotating through the portals.”
    “Lord, that ambitious a program will require the support of the entire legion.”
    “You yourself said there’s nothing else to do. And Lord Kuo expressed a more than passing interest in obtaining answers.”
    “Of course, Lord.”
    “Is there anything else I should know?”
    “No, Lord. That’s all...  There have been two reports of dragon sightings, Lord. From natives. There was no confirmation. The dragons themselves deny making overflights.”
    “I see. I commend you again, Lord Lun-yu. You’ve been as thorough as anyone could ask.”
    Shih-ka’i retired to his quarters. His batman had everything prepared. He allowed the decurion to remove his mask. “Are you tired, Pan ku?”
    “Not if my Lord has a task for me.”
    “It’s nothing immediate. When you have the free time. Mix with the legionnaires. See what they’re saying. Find out what they’re talking about most.”
    “As you wish, My Lord.”
    “I’ll rest now.” Shih-ka’i stretched himself on his new bed. He did not sleep, though he closed his eyes. He felt a presence in the east. It was something strange. Something alien. It was not tangible,