The Skrayling Tree Read Online Free PDF Page A

possible. “Back to their own world, I would guess.”
    “Why have they taken him?”
    “I am not sure. I knew you were in some kind of danger, and I hoped we could exchange information.”
    “Why should I help you, Herr Klosterheim? Or you help us? You are our enemy. You were Gaynor’s creature. I understood you
     to be dead.”
    “Only a little, my lady. It is my fate. I have my loyalties, too.”
    “To whom?”
    “To my master.”
    “Your master was torn apart by the Lords of the Higher Worlds on Morn. I watched it happen.”
    “Gaynor von Minct was not my master, lady. We were allies, but he was not my superior. That was mere convenience to explain
     our presence together.” He might even have been a little offended by my presumption. “My master is the essence. Gaynor is
     merely the vapor. My master is the Prince of Darkness, Lord Lucifer.”
    I would have laughed if I were not in such bizarre circumstances.“So do you come here from Hell? Is that where my husband is to be found—the Underworld?”
    “I do come from Hell, my lady, though not directly, and if your husband were already there, I would not be here.”
    “I am only interested in my husband’s whereabouts, sir.”
    He shrugged and pointed at the Kakatanawa artifact. “That would no doubt help, but they would probably kill you, too.”
    “They mean to kill my husband?”
    “Quite possibly. I was, however, referring to myself. The Kakatanawa have no liking for me or for Gaynor, but Gaynor’s interests
     are no longer mine. Our paths parted. I went forward. He went back. Now I am something of a watcher on the sidelines.” His
     cadaverous features showed a certain humor.
    “I am certain you are not here through the promptings of a Christian heart, Herr Klosterheim.”
    “No, madam. I came to propose an alliance. Have you heard of a hero called Ayanawatta? Longfellow wrote about him. In English
     ‘Hiawatha’? His name was used for a local poem, I believe.”
    I had, of course, read Longfellow’s rather unfashionable but hypnotic work. However, I was scarcely in the mood to discuss
     creaking classics of American literature. I think I might have gestured with the gun. Klosterheim put up a bony hand.
    “I assure you I am in no way being facetious. I see I must put it another way.” He hesitated. I knew the dilemma of all prescient
     creatures, or all those who have been into a future and seen the consequence of someaction. Even to speak of the future was to create another “brane,” another branch of the great multiversal tree. And that
     creation in turn could confuse any plans one might have made for oneself to negotiate the worlds. So we were inclined to speak
     somewhat cryptically of what we knew. Most of our omens were as obscure as the
Guardian
crossword.
    “Do you know where Gaynor is?”
    “I believe I do, in relation to our present circumstances and his own.” He spoke with habitual care.
    “Where would that be?”
    “He could be where your husband is.” An awkward, significant pause.
    “So those were Gaynor’s men?”
    “Far from it, my lady. At least, I assume so.” He again fell silent. “I came to propose an alliance. It would be even more
     valuable to you, I suspect. I can guarantee nothing, of course…”
    “You expect me to believe one who, by his own confession, serves the Master of Lies?”
    “Madam, we have interests in common. You seek your husband and I, as always, seek the Grail.”
    “We do not own the Holy Grail, Herr Klosterheim. We no longer even own the house it is supposed to reside in. Haven’t you
     noticed that the East is now under Stalin’s benign protection? Perhaps that ex-priest has the magic cup?”
    “I doubt it, madam. I do believe your husband and the Grail have a peculiar relationship and that if I find him I shall find
     what I seek. Is that not worth a truce between us?”
    “Perhaps. Tell me how I may follow my husband and his abductors.”
    Klosterheim was reluctant to