'How do you know?' asked Valko.

The ma.s.sive warrior turned and with a grin that was nearly demonic said, 'I know. You are safe. The Dark One is busy and will not return. He is leaving this world very soon. I can go now.' Suddenly a crimson light shone around the large warrior and he fell over.

A disembodied voice said, 'I am Kantas-Barat! I have returned.'

The Deathknights looked from one to another, and Father Juwon said, 'The old G.o.ds are returning!'

Hirea hurried over to Bek and examined him. Looking up, he said, 'He's dead!'

Martuch shook his head. 'That one has been dead a long time, I think. Whatever was inside him has no more use for him. I hope for a good cause.' To those a.s.sembled, he raised his voice. 'Come, it's time to end this insanity and begin rebuilding our nation.'

Most cheered, including Valko, but he looked out of the window at the city in turmoil, with fires and smoke everywhere, and he knew that despite this feigned optimism, the conflict was not yet over.

Pug dozed. He came awake with a start and looked around.

'What?'

'Father,' said Magnus. 'What is it?'

'Something...' He stood up and looked off into the night. 'Something's changing.'

He had been lying inside a tent hastily erected near the command pavilion occupied by the Emperor and his generals. He looked around and saw the ma.s.sive rift a short distance away, torchlight casting the entire tableau into an eerie chiaroscuro, punctuated by flickering amber and red glows.

The stream of refugees was now a river, and as he silently watched, hundreds walked through the rift and into another world.

'How many?' he asked Magnus.

'No one knows, Father. Maybe a million by now, through all the gates. Maybe more.'

'Maybe less.'

Magnus shook his head in resignation. 'We're doing all we can.'

'Where's the sphere?'

'It's about fifty miles north of the City of the Plains.'

Pug almost wept. When he had last asked, it had been over a hundred miles away. He let out a long breath. 'Unless something miraculous happens, we will lose the rifts by late afternoon tomorrow.'

Magnus knew what his father was saying. All rifts off this world had to be closed before the Dark One reached them. If he was to take Kelewan, so be it. They could regroup on Midkemia and decide how best to confine him to this world, if that was possible.

But if he managed to gain access to the new Tsurani world or to Midkemia, the horror they had been watching here for days would repeat itself eventually.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew everything back as a huge thunder peal sounded around them. Lightning danced across the surface of the Black Mount and Pug shouted, 'Now! Get the Emperor through that gate!'

Imperial Guards raced to the command tent.

'What happened?' asked Magnus.

'I don't know, but we don't have until late afternoon tomorrow.'

The Black Mount was not fifty miles north of the city any more. It was now less than a mile north of the rifts, which meant that at least a million people had been swallowed up by it.

Pug felt tears come unbidden.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR - Oblivion.

THE DASATI ATTACKED.

The screaming alerted Pug and the other magicians who had congregated around the Emperor's pavilion. The argument had been underway for the better part of an hour, all decorum and rank put aside.

The young ruler was being intransigent about staying to the very last, and finally Pug said, 'Majesty, no one here doubts your heart or your bravery. We know that you die each time one of your subjects is taken, but your people, more than ever, need your guidance.'

He indicated the sea of faces crowded around the large tent, looking in through the large opening, waiting to hear the Light of Heaven's order. Pug saw priests and high priests of every order, remaining close in case the Emperor ordered them to fight to the death. Pug's hand inscribed an arc in the air, encompa.s.sing everyone outside. 'Your brave Tsurani n.o.bles are for the most part dead, and each of them gave their lives dearly. That leaves you with only children to claim the t.i.tles of Ruling Lords, and a frightened populace. Your people are good people, honest and hard-working, but they will need guidance. Order your magicians and priests, and whoever is left of the n.o.bility, through the rift now.'

He could hear the fighting approaching, no more than a few hundred yards away. 'Soon panic will set in and no one will be able to get through the rift... before I must close it!'

The Emperor looked determined. 'No, Great One. I will fight.'

Pug felt exasperated. This was not the time for youthful defiance. But he realized he was talking to a young man whose every whim had been obeyed for most of his life. 'Sire, have you heard the tale of Emperor Ichindar, the ninety-first emperor, at the first peace talks between the Empire and the Kingdom of the Isles?'

'No,' said the young ruler, suddenly uncertain as to where this conversation was going.

'Good,' said Pug, and he put out his hand. The young Emperor's eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed. Half a dozen Imperial Guards drew their swords and Pug shouted, 'Hold! The Light of Heaven merely sleeps.'

The Emperor's First Adviser Chomata chuckled. 'I know that story, Great One. It was Kasumi of the Shinzawai who knocked Emperor Ichindar unconscious so that he could be taken back through the rift to safety.'

'Good,' said Pug. 'You can explain it to him when he revives.'

To two guards he said, 'Pick up the Emperor and bear him through the rift. '

General Alenburga looked at Pug and then turned to face the throng outside the door. With the tent flaps pulled back, he had an almost panoramic view of the distant battle. He looked down at the faces of those waiting to be told what to do next. 'You, the priests and magicians and remaining ruling lords, if you love your nation, it is time. Go through the rift and care for your people. Build a new Tsuranuanni. Go!'

Many hesitated, but many moved the moment the order was given towards a smaller rift Pug had prepared to get the command staff away to safety. Magnus said, 'Father, what about you?'

'I'm staying a little longer,' Pug said. 'It's all but over here, but there are things I alone can do, and they must be done.'

'What shall I tell Mother?'

'Tell her under no circ.u.mstances is she to return here.' He looked out at the distant fighting. 'Tell her I love her and I will be home soon.'

Magnus shook his head. 'You know if I tell her not to come she will.'

'Convince her. Tell her I will be going through the rift gate in a few minutes.'

'You know I could never lie to her.'

'It's not a lie. I am going through the gate, but not this one.' He pointed over into the darkness. 'I'm going to go through the first gate, to the Academy.' He dropped his voice. 'Tell her there won't be a "here" soon.'

'Very well,' said Magnus, embracing Pug. 'Do not get yourself killed, Father.'

Magnus departed and Pug turned to what remained of the general staff. Alenburga, Kaspar, Erik and the young officers waited, as Pug said, 'It's over, gentlemen.'

Erik von Darkmoor looked out at the distant battle. 'Yes, finally.'

Alenburga turned to the younger officers and to the Tsurani soldiers he said, 'Go through the rift to the new world. That is an order.'

As one they saluted and departed. Then to Jommy, Servan, Jim, Dash, Tad and Zane he said, 'Young sirs, your duty here is over. I thank you for your bravery' Then, looking at Jim Dasher, he added, 'And an occasional bit of foolhardiness. Now, go. Get home.'

Pug pointed to the rift to the Academy. 'I'll need you there. Use that rift gate.'

Jommy glanced at his companions, who nodded. 'We'll stay, if you're staying.'

Kaspar said, 'Jommy, you're a likeable enough lad, but you are a terrible officer. Go!'

Jommy hesitated for a moment, then turned and moved out, the others following.

At the entrance, Erik put out a restraining hand and held up Jim Dasher. 'Tell your grandfather he has my best wishes, Jim. And tell him he has reason to be proud of you.'

Jim looked the old soldier in the eye. 'Thank you, sir.'

Kaspar and Alenburga regarded Erik. Alenburga said, 'Coming?'

Erik shook his head. 'No. I think I'll stay. If I can slow down one Deathknight for a minute or so, another dozen or two might get through the rift. I've been on borrowed time for a few years now, and I should return what I borrowed.' He glanced at Pug and said, 'If you see that annoying little gambler, tell him "thank you".'

Pug could only nod, for he had not told anyone yet of Nakor's decision to stay on Omadrabar. Only Magnus knew. He could barely speak as he said, 'I will, Erik.'

The old Knight-Marshall of Krondor drew his sword from its scabbard and moved purposefully towards the sound of battle. When he had vanished into the crowd, Kaspar said, 'There goes a great man.'

Pug could only nod, unable to find words. Finally he forced himself to speak. 'What of you two?'

Alenburga had his hand on the pommel of his sword and looked ready to follow Erik's example. 'It's difficult to imagine going back,' he said quietly, his voice still carrying despite the din outside. Panic was rising as those trying to reach the nearby rift gate could hear the sounds of battle coming from the rear. 'Leaving all these people behind...'

Kaspar put his hand on the General's shoulder. 'It does them no good for you to die with them, Prakesh. You have a home.'

'It's going to be too quiet, Kaspar.' He looked at his companion of this last few weeks. 'After what we've done here, trying to conquer Oka.n.a.la with a band of street urchins wouldn't seem much of a challenge.'

It was Pug who answered. 'Then go through that rift to the new world, General.'

'What?'

'The Tsurani are a people in shambles. They will need strong leadership.'

'I don't think they're going to need a general any time soon,' he responded, but already Pug could see the spark in his eyes.

'Then you haven't really come to know the Tsurani, General,' said Pug. 'Before dawn on the first day, there will be plots and intrigue enough to keep you jumping for the next century. War is nothing compared to the intrigue in the Game of the Council. Have the Emperor's First Advisor tell you the story of the Riftwar from the Tsurani perspective: it was a ploy in the game, nothing more.'

Kaspar said, 'Go, and lead. They will need you.'

Alenburga hesitated, then turned and put his arms around Kaspar, grasping him in a bear hug. 'I will miss you, Kaspar of Olasko.'

'I will miss you too, General.'

The General moved purposefully through the tent, and Pug said, 'Kaspar?'

'I have no desire to be anyone's martyred hero, Pug. I will go with you.'

Pug motioned for Kaspar to follow and led him out the back of the tent towards the ancient rift gate. A trickle of people were still attempting to get through, but were being turned away by Tsurani guards who redirected them towards the larger gate to the new world. Seeing a Black Robe, the guards moved aside, and before he stepped through, Pug said, 'Go, now. Your duty here is done.'

Both soldiers, wearing the armour of the House of Acoma, saluted and moved away, both drawing their swords and running towards the sound of fighting. 'd.a.m.n, but they are an amazing bunch,' said Kaspar admiringly.

'Yes, they are,' Pug agreed.

They entered the rift.

Varen looked over the edge of the pit and found himself both repelled and attracted by it. Part of him said that he should turn and run away, as fast as possible, yet another part felt the urge to jump in. He took a deep breath and looked around.

There used to be a city here, he thought. And around it were farms and valleys and hills and villages. Now there was just this pit. Hole. Tunnel. Whatever it was, it was ma.s.sive, so big that the curve of it seemed to be almost a straight line when you stood on the rim.

The power! he thought. He was intoxicated with it. It represented a mastery of death so far beyond his dreams, and he had had some pretty incredible dreams over the ages. It was staggering. If he could somehow bring these Dasati to heel, have them serve him, he could conquer worlds.

The urge to jump became almost unbearable. If only I had a reason, he thought. Then he just jumped.

Pug appeared outside the cave, Kaspar at his side.

'Where are the guards?' Kaspar asked.

'I ordered the two young magicians back to the island when I called for as much help as possible. By then I knew we didn't need to guard these things any more.'

Kaspar shrugged. 'If you say so.'