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.’‘Gentlemen,’ Ibris said sternly, before the debate gathered momentum.‘The bodyguard have their swords and they will take their bows and as many arrows as they can carry.In their hands these will offer defence against both cavalry and infantry.They’ll seek out the enemy and hold him for as long as they can by whatever means.At the same time messengers will be sent to Viernce, Drew, Stor and Serenstad to warn them to levy all remaining reservists to go to their aid.’‘That’s damn near the women and children,’ some-one muttered, but Ibris ignored this remark.‘As for the Bethlarii, they’re obviously preparing for a set-piece battle.They’ve not harassed us or our supply lines, tried to sway our weaker allies by either force or argument, launched diversionary assaults elsewhere along the border.’ His voice became bitter.‘Their actions still make little sense, but I imagine they’re looking for one huge, and final, encounter.Something that will be looked on with favour by Ar-Hyrdyn.’ He paused for a moment to let his anger subside.‘Such a battle, as you know, will be won by the most disciplined side, and my bodyguard could add little to what we already possess.On the other hand, no one other than they could move overland and oppose these new invaders with any semblance of a chance of holding them until larger forces can be raised.’There was silence when he had finished speaking.Whatever reservations any of his advisers might have had about his decision, they were insufficient to overcome the combination of his analysis and his will.* * * *Pandra listened to Antyr’s tale with increasing distress.‘What can I do?’ he asked when it was finished.Antyr pulled his chair closer to the old man and leaned forward urgently.‘Just help me tonight, Pandra,’he replied.‘We have to set aside everything we’ve ever held precious about our craft.We have to go into the Bethlarii dreams and tell them the truth about how they’ve been misled.’Pandra shook his head anxiously.‘We’re not Myne-darion, Antyr,’ he said.‘We can’t change what they’re dreaming.We.’‘We can enter their dreams, and speak to them,’ Antyr interrupted.‘Nothing more.’‘Speaking to a dreamer to reassure him when he’s asked you to be there is one thing.Blazing in like some sweating messenger is another,’ Pandra rejoined.‘Anyway, they’ll probably just wake up.’‘Maybe,’ Antyr agreed.‘But we must do it nonethe-less.I promised Ibris I’d do something before I went hunting for the cause of all this.horror.’‘Before what?’ Pandra exclaimed, half standing.Antyr repeated his intention awkwardly.‘High time too!’ The voice was Kany’s.‘Shut up,’ Pandra said sharply, slapping his pocket.‘And how do you propose to hunt this.creature?’ he went on, returning to Antyr.Antyr reached out and placed a hand on Pandra’s arm.‘I don’t know,’ he answered.‘But somewhere there’s a way to him other than being drawn in by him.And I must find it.My every nerve feels alive and raw with expectation.It’s as if the whole dreamscape around us is crying out under some assault.Since I saw that abomination so close, so clear, I’ve felt a terrible presentiment.I feel powers gathering like those that must have shaped the world itself.’Pandra’s face creased into unhappiness.‘You’re imagining things,’ he said, without conviction.‘You’re just tired and frightened.After all.’Antyr shook his head.‘No,’ he said simply.‘I’m frightened, certainly.But I’m imagining nothing.My mind’s clear and sharp.Bars are being forged that will cage us all, or beat us into nothingness, and only I can do anything about it.’Pandra fell silent.‘What can I say?’ he asked after a moment.Antyr shrugged.‘I don’t think there’s anything,’ he replied.‘Just help me tonight, and then keep watch as you’ve done every other night.’Pandra allowed himself a small sigh of resignation.‘Very well,’ he said.‘But I’m not even sure I can reach the Bethlarii from so far away.’‘You will.’ It was Tarrian who answered his doubts [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]