they could be. Though distance held no real meaning. But he would not run. There was nowhere safe. The threat had to be removed. He sought again the light of those he loved through the thinning fabric. How had the malevolence gained such strength? He had no conception, no answer. Time was a meaningless measure.
He felt a presence near him. Strong. Calming. Reminiscent but not loved. How would he describe it . . . respected. Revered. He felt urging and saw the images of running feet and fast-flowing water. He felt the words too. They signified security.
I have found you.
He communicated, still moving toward his goal, his impetus increased. In his mind the blurred began to focus. He felt clarity and direction such as he had not developed in the presence of any of the others.
I will show you.
The presence by him dominated his mind now. It held disdain for the malevolence nor did it fear the threat. He saw images. Blood
flowing and a body hitting cold earth. He saw arms raised in triumph. He saw a building and felt the burgeoning of that power he knew had to be shut off. The feelings of urging intensified.
The living have little time.
Who are you?
A friend.
He journeyed on towards the place of greatest threat. Comforted. Justified. Near him he felt the brief touch of a bright living light. Alien. He tried to connect with it but it shied from him, seeming to glow brighter when it turned towards the mass. Ilkar felt the spring of a new thought. But all around him, the helpless fear only deepened. There was sudden and enormous pressure. Light dimmed. Feelings chilled.
They were inside. It was not just the living for whom time was short. He thought of the name and shouted for help.
Hirad would have pitched down the stairs but for The Unknown's broad back breaking his fall. He turned and caught the barbarian, ignoring the sharp pain in his hip.
'Hirad? Hirad!'
The Raven clustered around him. He was holding his hands clamped to his head. His eyes were wide and searching. His mouth, initially clamped shut, began to move. A frown deepened the lines of his forehead.
'Let's get him to the next landing. Thraun, take his legs.'
They moved off. The Unknown backed down the spiral, using the outside wall and rail to guide him.
'What do you think. Sha-Kaan?'
The Unknown shook his head. Sha-Kaan's presence caused a relaxation in Hirad's body. This was more like a seizure. Hirad's eyes held a deep anxiety he hadn't seen before. He experienced similar misgivings as they laid the barbarian down on the landing, a cloak under his head.
'Ilkar?' suggested Erienne.
The sound of the elf s name seemed to echo in the enclosed space. The Unknown felt a shudder pass through him.
'Let's hope so,' he said. 'But it's never been like this before.'
'No indeed,' said Rebraal, coming to Hirad's side. 'Listen to him, my friend. Listen hard. Try to understand.'
The sounds of renewed battle filtered up to them. The Unknown ignored them. He clasped one of Hirad's tight-bunched fists.
'All right, Coldheart,' he said. 'We're all here with you. Breathe easy.'
But he wasn't. His chest was fluttering and his face pale. The Unknown looked to Erienne who was stroking Hirad's hair back across his head. Her expression reflected his concerns.
'Can you do anything?'
'I daren't,' she said. 'Look at him. It's deep in his mind. This is all physical symptom. I can't stop it. I wouldn't know how.'
'And you mustn't try,' said Rebraal.
'Just checking.'
Erienne smiled. They all looked back at Hirad. His eyes still jerked and his mouth moved. He was whispering. The Unknown put his head closer.
'Where are you?' Hirad's voice was very quiet, his breath shallow and pained.
'Right here, old son,' said The Unknown.
'I can't see you. Can feel you, Ilks.'
The Unknown glanced up.
'It is Ilkar,' he confirmed.
'Let me through.' Dystran's voice was over-loud. He shouldered his way through his guards and more gendy eased Denser and Thraun aside. 'What's going on? Why did no one think to tell me? I could have walked out there alone. Hardly fitting.'
'Hirad's got a contact. Just be quiet,' said The Unknown.
Dystran inhaled sharply.
'Don't disturb him,' said Rebraal. 'It would be dangerous for both of them.'
'A contact. Who with, that damned dragon?'
The Unknown looked up into Dystran's face and saw the arrogance still there.
'No, Dystran,' he replied, his voice deliberately cold. 'Ilkar. In another dimension you've placed at risk.'
'But he's dead, surely?'
'Yes,' replied Rebraal.
'Yes but—'
'Just accept it,' snapped Erienne. 'Leave us alone.'
The Unknown became aware of a growing noise from outside. Below them, in the complex, men were shouting.
'You have to run,' shouted Hirad.
They all jumped.
'Gods,' said Denser. 'You think he means us?'
'No,' said Rebraal. 'He's not aware of us at all.' The Al-Arynaar leader looked strained.
'Please. Make yourself safe. We are coming,' said Hirad.
T take it this is unusual?' said Denser.
'Impossible,' said Rebraal. 'He should not be understanding Ilkar so clearly.'
A colossal roar split the air. Wesmen voices raised in song and call. Xeteskians in the dome were running. They heard the doors cycle closed, the boom reverberating through the tower.
'Ark, go and find out what's happening,' ordered The Unknown. 'Come on, Hirad, I think it's time you were back with us.'
The former Protector moved away and out of sight. Auum and Evunn went after him. The Unknown could see Thraun sniffing the air. He watched the shapechanger's face. His forehead pinched and his jaw tensed. Their eyes met.
'The hunt has begun,' said Thraun.
'What?' said The Unknown.
From below, Ark was shouting for them. Dystran was on the move, closely followed by Vuldaroq and their guards. The Raven held station, willing Hirad to regain consciousness.
He obliged, his eyes snapping open. He gripped The Unknown's arms and pulled him close. The barbarian's eyes were bloodshot and desperate.
'We have to go now,' he said. 'They are inside.'
Arnoan gasped. He wrenched himself from his prayers and fell flat on his back. His chest heaved and his pulse raced. His head throbbed and pounded. Shards of pain speared his forehead and temples. The clouds of incense further fogged his damaged vision.
He lay where he was until he was sure he wasn't about to join those he had so recently contacted. Slowly, his heart calmed, the
incense suffusing his blood and forcing him to relax. Residual pain like a pulled muscle remained. His
