[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
."Is that so?" Telamont asked.He released the dipper, and Galaeron began to pour more water into his swollen stomach.He was already in pain, but his mind insisted that he was as thirsty as before.Stopping was out of the question.Telamont waited until Galaeron was finished, then refilled the dipper and held it in front of him.Though Galaeron felt like he might vomit up what he had already swallowed at anymoment, and spill Alustriel and Dove on the Most High's feet, he wanted that water.He ached for it in the way he ached to touch the Shadow Weave, in the way a suffocating man aches for air."There was too much," Galaeron said."We couldn't carry it"Telamont continued to hold the dipper away, but remained silent.His will began to press down on Galaeron, and this time Galaeron could think only of how thirsty he had been crossing the desert and how much he wanted that water, of how badly his stomach hurt already, of how good it would feel when he drank that last dipper and finally grew so full he had to bring up everything he had swallowed.He heard himself saying, "Besides, Prince Yder is right.We wanted to be captured."This drew a smirk from Yder and a flash of interest from the Most High.Telamont allowed Galaeron to take the dipper, then watched with the purple shadow of a smile as the contents vanished down the elf's throat.Galaeron felt water sloshing in his throat, and his jaws began to ache.Telamont took the dipper and refilled it, and Galaeron found his hand reaching for it yet again.Telamont held the handle away and remained silent.The weight of his will was crushing, and Galaeron could think of nothing but his aching jaws, his bloated stomach, and his overwhelming thirst."We came to rescue Vala," he said."You see?" Malik was up and sliding off Aris's chest, flinging water in all directions as he gestured with his dipper."My excellent plan worked!"Telamont remained silent and continued to hold the dipper out of reach.Galaeron felt the shadow lord's will crushing down on him, trying to force out the rest of the truth.He clenched his jaws and thought only of Evereska and his loyal friend Aris, of how the giant and the Chosen were risking so much to help—and there was his mistake.A dark voice arose inside him, reminding him of the blood onthe Chosen's hands, telling him they could not be trusted, whispering of necessary trade-offs and secret bargains with the phaerimm.Galaeron's mouth began to open, and it seemed to him that it belonged to someone else, to the dark being inside—And Malik was at the Most High's side."Anything I want," he said."That was our bargain.""If you brought me Galaeron Nihmedu," Telamont said."As I recall, Malygris did that."The weight of his will diminished, and Galaeron's mouth became his own again."It was my message that lured him out," Malik said."If I had not sent word telling him to come and save Vala, he would still be hiding from your magic in his Arabellan bolt hole.""Be careful who you argue with, little man."Telamont grew distracted enough to let the dipper drift into reach.Still possessed by his thirst, Galaeron snatched the handle and began to drink.and knew his stomach had reached its limit.Even as he drained the last of its contents, he began to gag."This is not some back alley flea market," Telamont continued, paying no attention to Galaeron's discomfort."And I am no trader in trinkets.""Nor am I some idiot dragon who can be bought off with your unkept promises," Malik retorted.This was too much for the Most High.Telamont's sleeve lashed out in Malik's direction, and the little man tumbled away into the shadows.Three heartbeats later, a loud thud sounded from the gloom high up in the vaulted ceiling.A long breath echoed down afterward, and a softer thump from a dark corner.Galaeron drained the last drops in the dipper and felt the contents of his stomach starting to rise.Realizing there was no fighting his own body's reflex, he flung the dipper aside and covered his mouth with both hands, then began a franticsearch for someplace he could expel the Chosen where the Most High and his princes would not see.The blow that Telamont had struck Malik would have been enough to kill most men, much less the impact against the wall that had followed, or the long fail that had followed that Yet even as Galaeron was pushing past Clariburnus with both hands over his mouth, Malik was limping out of the darkness, one impossibly twisted arm raised in Galaeron's direction."Ask him," Malik said."Ask him if he did not receive a message from me that Vala's life was in grave danger, and if he did not allow himself to be captured so he could save her life."There was an instant of silence then Telamont said, "As you wish.but I warn you, my patience is at an end."Galaeron felt a familiar burden settling over him, but this time, the Most High would need to be patient.By then, Galaeron was leaning over Aris's leg, ejecting a watery torrent down between the giant’s s knees.He saw a pair of silvery flashes come splashing out and disappear into the shadows beneath Aris's huge thighs.He continued to vomit a foul-smelling bile, and the weight of Telamont’s will vanished."I think we will leave the question unanswered for now, Malik." The Most High sounded a little queasy himself."The fact of Galaeron's return matters more than who is responsible.Name your price—but do not presume too much.""Me? Presume too much?"Malik’s delight was evident even over sound of Galaeron's continued retching.The little man thought for a moment then said, "I am not the type to ask for much, er, much more than I think I can get All I want is my friend Aris.""The giant?" Telamont asked."You wish me to spare his life?""Yes, that is what I wish," Malik said."And to have him as my slave, since I am very sure you do not want him runningloose in your city again.and since his statues will bring an even greater profit if I have no need to share.""I see." Telamont began to chuckle."You may have the giant—and with him, the responsibility to see that your slave does Shade no harm."Galaeron finally stopped retching.Wiping his mouth, he turned to see a very battered Malik standing a few paces away, examining the giant from head to footA cold sleeve settled on Galaeron's shoulder, and he turned to find Telamont standing beside him
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]