The Gates of Night_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [0]
THE CITY OF TOWERS …
“… I ate it up. I read the novel in a single sitting and enjoyed it entirely … Baker’s characters are solid and believable, with real personalities and personal stories. The story is a compelling mystery with a hard edge. It’s a fun, fast-paced adventure with interesting characters and setting, and enough grit and dark tone for me to take it seriously.”
—SF Site
“… Baker has a deft hand for teasing out the plot, wrapping up one story with blazing action while leaving other stories—and other conflicts—waiting for the sequel. The City of Towers is a great lead-in to The Dreaming Dark trilogy and to Eberron as a whole.”
—Black Gate Magazine
The exciting saga of The Dreaming Dark begun in The City of Towers concludes.
To prevent a long-banished race from unleashing the ultimate horror upon the waking world, Daine and his companions will have to break through the boundaries of the world itself, to brave the fey realms of Twilight and Shadow. Their ultimate goal: the nightmare-haunted realm of Dal Quor. But first, they must cross a perilous realm where they are hunted, where every shadow holds the secrets of their past, where the only way out is through …
… THE GATES OF NIGHT!
THE
DREAMING DARK
Book 1
CITY OF TOWERS
Book 2
THE SHATTERED LAND
Book 3
THE GATES OF NIGHT
DEDICATION
To Lee Moyer, a shaper of dreams.
Laraek ixen korth,” the dwarf whispered, tracing his fingers along the edge of the metal disk. Runes etched into the steel burned with blue fire. The light faded, and as it did, the disk became blurry and indistinct, almost invisible against the stone floor. The dwarf took two careful steps back, slipping down the hall. He glanced up at Daine and gave a curt nod. If the disk were triggered, it would collapse the tunnel, which appeared to be the only entrance into this mysterious outpost.
Daine didn’t relish the thought of being trapped below, but the odds of surviving the night had never been good. Whatever this facility was, it posed a clear threat to the people of Cyre. Daine intended to cripple the base. If he and his soldiers could complete this mission and escape, all the better. If not, collapsing the entrance would have to do. At least it would buy Daine’s messenger time to warn the garrison at Casalon.
“It was a good plan, I’ll give you that.”
The sudden sound was a shock. No guards were in sight, but silence was clearly called for. Daine turned and glared at Jode.
“I ordered you to scout ahead,” Daine whispered.
Jode shook his head. “Daine, it’s time to wake up.”
And with those words, memory returned—visions of another battle.
A kalashtar woman wreathed in shadows …
Lei stretched across a stone dais, surrounded by pieces of glowing crystal …
Betrayal …
And a rushing, hissing voice, demanding a vial of blue liquid …
Daine lowered his sword until the point was level with the halfling’s heart. “Who are you? Lakashtai? Or Tashana?”
“You know who I am.”
Cold fury gripped Daine’s heart. “Enough! I’ve had enough of your games.”
“I know what you’ve been through,” Jode said. “I can imagine how hard this is for you. But it’s over now. Let me show you.”
Jode held out his hand, but Daine felt only anger. He was still piecing it together, but it was clear that Lakashtai had been manipulating him for weeks. Possibly months. She’d used his feelings for Lei against him, and now this. Daine slapped the halfling’s hand aside with the flat of his sword.
The little man winced but held his ground. “Not exactly the joyous reunion I had hoped for.” A drop of blood blossomed on one finger, and he sighed. “Daine, you know the truth, even if you don’t want to see it. I need you to trust me. One more time.”
Daine studied his old friend’s eyes, searching for any signs of deception. More memories flashed through his mind.
Jode on the streets of Metrol, surrounded by tattooed men …
The halfling’s body, lying in a charnel pit beneath Sharn …
Cursing himself, Daine reached out and took the halfling’s hand.
For a moment Daine was blinded, overwhelmed