Spirit of Empire 4: Sky Knights Read Online Free PDF Page A

town. The presence of strange lights and sounds in the night probably frightened everyone down below, but there was no other way. When they judged the area safe, they landed with the saucer’s leading edge a hundred meters from the main gate. Galborae, dressed in a new cloak, walked down the ramp beside Washburn.
    Smells were the first thing Galborae noticed, wonderful smells he had spent a lifetime taking for granted. Rich colors and sounds came next, filling him with a sense of normalcy. He stepped down the ramp feeling like he was putting on an old cloak, but the feeling quickly ended. Above his head, a great burnished metal surface extended a full hundred meters ahead of him. When he stepped to the side of the ramp and looked aft a similar distance, the true proportions of the saucer-shaped ship became known.
    He sent an accusing look to Washburn. “You told me I was on a ship. I had imagined sails.”
    Washburn could not understand what Galborae said, but he felt like he knew the intent. He shrugged his shoulders. He lifted an arm suggestively and the two of them walked out to the edge of the ship and up to the main gate.
    No one was in sight, but Galborae knew people were there. He called loudly, “Open the gate. You know me. I am Sir Galborae.”
    A brave voice responded. “You come from the place of the gods. We do not speak with the dead.”
    “You know me, Lord Boral. I am not dead. I have come for Limam. She will know I am true. Set her free and I will leave. It is safe to open the door. There are no demons near.”
    Galborae waited patiently. Eventually a small people-sized door opened and Limam leaped out and raced for Galborae. Behind Limam, a sturdy woman stepped through the door wearing a heavy, hooded cloak. Though he could not see her face, he knew it was Milae, his wife.
    Despite the presence of the ship, Limam perceived no fear from Galborae. She reached him and stopped while he knelt gingerly on one knee, then her tongue came out to lick his face, her large green eyes and erect ears telegraphing her happiness so clearly that even Washburn saw it. Galborae embraced her, brushing the speckled fur on her head, and her eyes closed. Washburn heard a steady, low growl deep in her throat and knew it was a growl of pleasure.
    Milae stepped more hesitantly toward Galborae, her deep set eyes shifting nervously between Galborae, Washburn, and the ship. Galborae stood up and went to her, understanding her hesitation. When his arms went around her, that hesitation did not matter for the moment. Limam stayed with him, never losing touch with his leg.
    When Milae relaxed her hold and stepped back, her focus was only Galborae. “I had thought you dead,” she said, her voice trembling as she swiped at tears running down her cheeks. “Are you?”
    Galborae reached out and placed both hands around her face, then kissed her long. When he released her lips, he said, “Does that feel like I’m dead? I should be dead, but the man over there saved me, and his healer saw to my wounds.”
    She pulled his cloak aside and lifted his shirt, staring at his wounds, then touching the repairs. “She must be a great healer. I could not heal these wounds.” Her eyes lifted to him in sadness, then went to Washburn. “Is he a god?” she asked Galborae.
    Galborae started to shake his head, but the movement turned into a confused mix of nodding and shaking. In the end, he said, “He claims to be a man just like me. I believe he speaks true, but I can’t be certain. He claims he has come from far away to help us fight the demons.”
    “We found your men. Why weren’t they rescued with you?”
    “They were already dead. I wish I could have sung for them, but I was taken away. I’m sorry, but I have to leave again.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “I have no idea. Somewhere far away. When I return, I’m told I will bring an army of foreigners armed with new weapons to kill demons.”
    “You should hurry. It’s very