Masquerades - Kate Novak [164]
Dragonbait shook his head at the girl's foolishness. If her ancestor had seen fit to leave the portal closed, why couldn't she do likewise. A lifetime of city dwelling, even in so dangerous a city as Westgate, had left Thistle innocent of the greater powers of evil.
"Grandmother warned that the treasure might not be worth the price to be paid for opening the portal, but I believe Victor should have the treasure. He will do good things with it," Thistle insisted.
Dragonbait shook his head again and wished this girl understood Saurial, so that he could lecture her on Victor Dhostar. He considered dragging her from the tower, but with the battle raging downstairs, the noblewoman was probably safer up here.
Thistle stroked the feather brooch again, releasing a streak of light from the portal and delivering another momentarily blinding blow to the paladin's shen sight. The saurial snatched Thistle's hand and pulled it away from the brooch.
The girl looked puzzled. She hadn't a clue as to the source of the paladin's anxiety.
There was nothing left to do, Dragonbait realized, but guard Thistle until Alias came to the roof. The swordswoman could tell Thistle about Victor's crimes. He leaned back against the battlement and waited patiently.
The paladin was taken unawares by the sudden appearance of Victor Dhostar. The nobleman manifested on the roof with some magical spell. His robes were torn, and he was bruised and bleeding.
Catching sight of him, Thistle ran to his side before Dragonbait could hold her back. "Victor, you're hurt!" the girl exclaimed. "What happened?" she asked as she tenderly touched a bruise on his face.
"There's a battle going on downstairs," the nobleman explained. "Night Masks and Durgar's men. Kimbel has framed me. You must open the portal so I can hide from my enemies."
"Victor, you did not give me a chance to explain fully before. There are evil things trapped inside with Verovan's treasure."
"Thistle, there are evil things in the castle down below, coming after me. If you loved me, you would not argue. Now open the bloody portal!"
Dragonbait stepped forward and hissed, but Victor had grabbed Thistle by the waist and aimed a dagger at her belly. "Don't try anything foolish, lizardman," the nobleman said. "Open the portal, Thistle, quickly."
Thistle's face colored with anger, and for a moment Dragonbait thought she might argue with Victor. The moment passed. Thistle collected what was left of her dignity. Giving the nobleman a chill look of disdain, she touched her hand to her brooch. Light spilled out on the tower as the portal grew. A crystal bridge, as dark as the sky, arced over the battlement.
Victor clasped his hand about Thistle's so that she could not remove it from the brooch. "You first," the nobleman ordered Dragonbait.
The paladin looked aghast at the portal. The waves of evil spilling out sickened him, but now he sensed something worse. Hunger. Something within Verovan's hoard was eager to devour whatever came its way.
"Move it!" Victor screamed, poking his dagger into Thistle's side until she whimpered. "I haven't got anything to lose by killing her," he snarled.
Dragonbait climbed up the bridge and made his way toward the portal. Victor followed, dragging Thistle after him. Just as he reached the other side of the bridge, the paladin drew his sword. He was not going to be devoured without a fight. Victor did not seem to object. The nobleman's eyes had the look of frightened prey, and his mind seemed to be occupied with other thoughts.
*****
Alias dashed up the stairs three at a time and burst out on the roof of the tower just in time to see Victor pull Thistle into a magical portal hanging in the sky beside the tower. The swordswoman leaped up on the battlement and stepped onto the bridge leading to the portal.