‘We must be patient,’ Miskyia continued, more confident now. Behind her Sturmovit’s teeth continued to grind. Iwa wasn’t convinced either, tightening her grip on Miskyia’s hand. Somehow she didn’t think that patience was a particular virtue of the Karzełek. ‘We have not yet brought the Lord Bethrayal into this world. The time is not yet right, the planets are not aligned.’
‘Then why do you wake us from our sleep?’ Once again the Karzełek moved in closer, their clawed hands ready to strike.
‘Because the time draws close and you must be ready to attack. There are many men in a camp by the river. They have thwarted the Lord Bethrayal and brought down his anger upon them. There is also one amongst them who has some knowledge of the craft. He could be dangerous.’
‘Then let us strike now, in the night. Point this man out to us and we will take him before he realises his fate.’
‘That would not be so easy. The camp is guarded and there is a wall to protect it. Many armoured woyaks guard its boundary.’
‘Then what would you have us do?’
‘We must attack together. The Lord Bethrayal will want to move against the woyaks as soon as he is through the barrier into our world, but there is an enchantment that surrounds the camp which he cannot cross.’
‘Then this priest is very powerful to have crafted such a thing.’
‘The Lord Bethrayal is still too weak. If the priest senses what is happening then he could still keep the Lord Bethrayal from entering this world. The magic need not be powerful should the timing be right. Even now he works his spells against us. You could rip the barrier to shreds and between us we could destroy the woyaks and this priest.’
‘But not the captives in the boats,’ Iwa was quick to say, then she gulped in terror as all heads turned to her, the snakes around the Karzełeks’ necks regarding her coldly with hard stony eyes, their forked tongues licking the air as if trying to catch her scent. ‘The people in the ships are the woyaks’ enemies too.’
‘The people in the ships are human,’ the Karzełek leader said, looking about him as the rest began to cheer, their mouths opened wide to expose sharp yellowed teeth. They too had snakes’ tongues that flecked spittle as they hissed in anger. ‘It is too long since we have spilt man blood, my brothers. Let us take our vengeance upon the oppressor.’
‘But not against the captives in the ships,’ Miskyia said softly.
‘Is this what the Lord Bethrayal commands?’
‘Yes,’ Iwa said, but it was only when Miskyia nodded that the Karzełek took notice.
‘Very well, then,’ their leader said. There was a hiss from the others but a quick look from their leader stifled them. ‘If it is the Lord Bethrayal’s command,’ he said, as if the words had to be dragged from between his teeth, ‘then it shall be done. We owe him our allegiance.’
‘As the Lord Bethrayal commands,’ Miskyia said, ‘be sure to be ready for the next night, we shall call him forth and Lord Bethrayal will tread this earth once more.’
With that she turned to go and Iwa decided that it would be a good idea to follow, but the Karzełek leader blocked her path. ‘One day…’ He bent low so that his face was almost pressed against hers, the mucus dripping from his flat, savage nose, dark as a rotten mushroom. ‘We will be free to have our vengeance upon you,’ he growled. ‘It is true that we are in the service of the ancient gods of this place, but you cannot hide behind Lord Bethrayal forever. There will come a time when his word will no longer protect you.’
So long as I am far gone when that day comes. Iwa bent away; the air reeked with the earthy smell of his breath, thick like burnt tar. But it wasn’t that which caused her to tremble. Before, she had thought that each Karzełek kept the snakes as pets. Only now did she realise that the snakes weren’t coiled about their masters’ necks but grew from them, moving as if they were separate living creatures, yet still part of their host.
‘Do not mistake us for friends,’ the leader said. ‘There will come a night when the moon is high and we shall rid ourselves of human flesh, and your stink shall be cleared from this forest forever.’
Iwa didn’t answer, but slid past and ran after Miskyia. ‘Did you enjoy your chat?’ the sorceress said, without breaking her stride. ‘The Karzełek can be rather forthright when they have a mind.’
‘Can we trust them?’
‘We can trust them – to hate humans and kill them on sight. But they are an honourable race and keep kinship with their blood oaths.’
‘As you do?’
Miskyia paused and tucked the statuette into the folds of her cloak. It was then that Iwa caught sight of the thing: it had the body of a man but the head of a snake and the wings of a bat. ‘The Lord Bethrayal always extracts the full price for his help; remember that, my child, and consider that well, should you ever be tempted to beg his favour.’
‘But it is he who will owe me the favour.’
‘For now,’ Miskyia said, ruffling Iwa’s hair. ‘You can trust him to spare your father and let you both leave this place, if that is the price of your service.’ She turned away. The moonlight played over her face and an understanding passed between them. You must bind him to your will – the words remained unuttered, Miskyia’s hands trembled – and never let these stones know of our treachery. The Lord Bethrayal will never keep his word to one such as you. ‘Now you must rest,’ Miskyia’s voice betrayed no hint of concern, ‘soon you will have to wake the Lord Bethrayal; your trials are about to begin.’
Chapter Twenty
A drum beat through the ruins, its hollow rhythm
