Demon Lord V - God Realm by T C Southwell Page B

That which followed him was drawing closer, despite
the speed at which he moved. He was forced to stop from time to
time to reinforce his sense of which direction to take, and that
allowed his pursuer to gain ground. The dim, snow-clad dead forest
he had just left hid whatever followed him, and he turned to look
ahead again. Beyond the small golden region was a bank of white
cloud, much like a light realm. Rising into the air, he flew
towards it, making up time while the going was easy. The steeds
followed below, able to match his speed, their riders drooping with
fatigue. His concern for the mortals was becoming acute, and soon
he would be forced to stop and rest for their sake. They needed
food and sleep.
     
    Bane remained
prone, giving the impression of languid laziness until he
calculated that he had regained sufficient strength to rise and
walk without revealing his weakness. That had taken two sleep
periods, during which a guard had been posted to watch Rinath as
well as the darkness. Bane had slept more than anyone else, secure
in the knowledge that the guard would rouse him if Rinath came
anywhere near him. She had done nothing untoward, either because
she feared him, or she was trying to lull them into a false sense
of security. That, he mused, would not work. The group was
extremely nervous of both of them, and he could not blame them.
Ethra had not come near him, but had listened to him answer
Sarrin's questions, most of which were about his powers and his
past. He had answered her unreservedly, and she seemed to believe
him.
    The dark power
gnawed at his flesh, and the sickness it caused increased. He had
to leash it constantly now, for it leaked from his bones of its own
accord, no longer content to remain there. The shackles glowed
faintly, and when he slept the shadows stole into his blood, waking
him with the burning pain. His stomach rejected the ambrosia, and
he could eat little. The soldier Vertack had struck down regained
consciousness, to Artan's relief, and they buried the young
priestess in the dusty ground.
    When everyone
woke from the second sleep period, Bane sat up and nodded at Artan,
who gave the order to break camp. The Demon Lord summoned a cup of
ambrosia and sipped it, but his stomach heaved, and he vomited.
Sarrin came over and squatted beside him, clearly concerned.
    "What ails
you?"
    Bane wiped his
mouth. "The shackles are killing me."
    Sarrin looked
sad, and he stood up. Rinath watched him. He could sense the
intensity of her black eyes boring into him. The packs were
distributed amongst the group, the soldiers forced to carry some
now that they had lost two more members. Artan shouldered one
himself, but did not ask Bane to carry anything. Instead he was
given a torch, as were Sarrin, Ethra and Juvo. The soldiers took up
their positions beside each torch bearer, and Rinath now walked
alone in the centre. Artan accompanied Bane at the rear of the
group, with Sarrin and Ethra leading. They travelled in the
direction Artan chose, and Bane did not comment upon it. There was
no way of telling which direction was the right one until the trap
shifted again.
    Bane's legs
ached when the ground moved, and he staggered into Artan. The
stocky warrior cursed and stumbled, but kept his feet. Bane sank to
his knees, his head spinning. The group stopped, and Artan stared
down at Bane.
    "Which
direction?"
    The Demon Lord
pointed to the right. "That way."
    Artan nodded,
and Bane rose to his feet, his stomach heaving again. The group
headed off to the right, but Bane stayed where he was.
    "Wait."
    Artan halted
and looked back. "What is it?"
    "The beasts
always attack right after the trap shifts. We should prepare."
    Artan
signalled to his men, and they closed ranks, crossbows pointed at
the gloom. Bane moved closer to Rinath, who glanced at him when he
stopped beside her, and he leant closer to murmur, "Burn anything
other than a beast, and I will kill you."
    Rinath glared
at him, and he turned to gaze into