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."But I'm afraid it won't do us much good.They were probably all destroyed in the Cataclysm and we wouldn't know whereto look anyway-""Yes, we do," Tas said excitedly."There's a list here, of where they were kept.See-'He stopped, cocking his head."Shhhh." he said, listening.The others fell silent.For a moment they heard nothing, then their ears caught what the kender's quicker hearing had already detected.Tanis felt his hands grow cold; the dry, bitter taste of fear filled his mouth.Now he could hear, inthe distance, the sound of hundreds of hams braying - horns all of them had heard before.Thebellowing, brass horns that heralded the approach of the draconian armies-and the approach of thedragons.The horns of death.Chapter 7"-not destined to meet again in this world."The companions had just reached the marketplace when the first flight of dragons struck Tarsis.The group had separated from the knights, not a pleasant parting.The knights had tried to convincethem to escape with them into the hills.When the companions refused, Derek demanded thatTasslehoff accompany them, since the kender alone knew the location of the dragon orbs.Tanisknew Tas would only run away from the knights and was forced to refuse again."Bring the kender, Sturm, and come with us," Derek commanded, ignoring Tanis."I cannot, sir." Sturm replied, laying his hand on Tanis's arm."He is my leader, and my first loyalty is to my friends."Derek's voice was cold with anger."If that is your decision;" he answered, "I cannot stop you.But this is a black mark against you, Sturm Brightblade.Remember that you are not a knight.Not yet.Pray that I am not there when the question of your knighthood comes before the Council."Sturm became as pale as death.He cast a sideways glance at Tanis, who tried to hide hisastonishment at this startling news.But there was no time to think about it.The sound of the horns,screaming discordantly on the chill air, was coming closer and closer each second.The knights andthe companions parted; the knights heading for their camp in the hills, the companions returning totown.They found the towns people outside their houses, speculating on the strange horn calls, which theyhad never heard before and did not understand.One Tarsian alone heard and understood.The Lordin the council chamber rose to his feet at the sound.Whirling, he turned upon the smug-lookingdraconian seated in the shadows behind him."You said we would be spared!" the Lord said through clenched teeth."We're still negotiating-""The Dragon Highlord grew weary of negotiation." the draconian said, stifling a yawn."And the city will be spared-after it has been taught a lesson, of course."The Lord's head sank into his hands.The other council members, not fully comprehending whatwas happening, stared at each other in horrified awareness as they saw tears trickle through theLord's fingers.Outside, the red dragons were visible in the skies, hundreds of them.Flying in regimented groups ofthree to five, their wings glistened flame red in the setting sun.The people of Tarsis knew one thing and one thing only: death flew overhead.As the dragons swooped low, making their first passes over the town, the dragonfear flowed fromthem, spreading panic more deadly than fire.The people had one thought in their minds as theshadows of the wings blotted out the dying light of day-escape.But there was no escape.After the first pass, knowing now that they would meet no resistance, the dragons struck.One afterthe other, they circled, then dropped from the sky like red-hot shot, their fiery breath engulfingbuilding after building with flame.The spreading fires created their own windstorms.Chokingsmoke filled the street, turning twilight into midnight.Ash poured down like black rain.Screams ofterror changed to screams of agony as people died in the blazing abyss that was Tarsis.And as the dragons struck, a sea of fear-crazed humanity surged through the flame-lit streets.Fewhad any clear idea of where they were going.Some shouted they would be safe in the hills, othersran down by the old waterfront, still others tried to reach the city gates.Above them flew thedragons, burning at their discretion, killing at their leisure.The human sea broke over Tanis and the companions, crushing them into the street, swirling themapart, smashing them up against buildings.The smoke choked them and stung their eyes, tearsblinded them as they fought to control the dragonfear that threatened to destroy their reason.The heat was so intense that whole buildings blew apart.Tanis caught Gilthanas as the elf washurled into the side of a building.Holding onto him, the half-elf could only watch helplessly as therest of his friends were swept away by the mob."Back to the Inn!" Tanis shouted."Meet at the Inn!" But whether they heard him or not, he could not say.He could only trust that they would all try to head in that direction.Sturm caught hold of Alhana in his strong arms, half-carrying, half-dragging her through the death-filled streets.Peering through the ash, he tried to see the others, but it was hopeless.And then began the most desperate battle he had ever fought, striving to keep his feet and support Alhana as timeand again the dreadful waves of humanity broke over them.Then Alhana was ripped from his arms by the shrieking mob, whose booted feet trampled all thatlived.Sturm flung himself into the crowd, shoving and bashing with his armored arms and body,and caught Alhana's wrists.Deathly pale, she was shaking with fright.She hung onto his hands withall her strength, and finally he was able to pull her close.A shadow swept over them.A dragon,screaming cruelly, bore down upon the street that heaved and surged with men, women, andchildren.Sturm ducked into a doorway; dragging Alhana with him, and shielded her with his bodyas the dragon swooped low overhead.Flame filled the street; the screams of the dying were heart-rending."Don't look!" Sturm whispered to Alhana, pressing her against him, tears streaming dawn his own face.The dragon passed, and suddenly the streets were horrible, unbearably still.Nothing moved."Let's go, while we can." Sturm said, his voice shaking.Clinging to each other, the two stumbled out of the doorway, their senses numbed, moving only by instinct.Finally, sickened and dizzy fromthe smell of charred flesh and smoke, they were forced to seek shelter in another doorway.For a moment, they could do nothing but hold onto -each other, thankful for the brief respite, yethaunted by the knowledge that in seconds they must return to the deadly streets.Alhana rested her head against Sturm's chest.The ancient, old-fashioned armor felt cool against herskin.Its hard metal surface was reassuring, and beneath it she could feel his heart beat, rapid,steady, and soothing, The arms that held her were strong, hard, well-muscled.His hand stroked herblack hair [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]