The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [236]
My lord, the way is ready.
Ozgirath stands there in the cavern before the gate. The dome has collapsed now until only a dark red, shifting flat area remains. The gate stands ready and he awaits his lord’s coming.
The gate suddenly bulges upward as sparks dance across its top. Then Jiron vaults out from the bulge and lands before Ozgirath. Behind him, the gate settles down and the sparks disappear.
Ozgirath’s yellow eyes flash as Jiron appears from out of the gate with the dagger aglow in his hand.
Jiron sees Ozgirath standing there before him and doesn’t hesitate in leaping forward. With a mighty cry, he plunges the dagger with both hands toward the High Priest’s breast.
James sees him attacking and sends a bolt of white light from the Star to strike Ozgirath a second before Jiron does. The bolt of white light explodes when it hits him, disrupting the spell Ozgirath had planned to use in his defense.
The dagger in Jiron’s hand strikes the breast of Ozgirath and sinks in to the hilt.
An inhuman cry is torn from Ozgirath as the runes on the blade flare. At the same time, James turns the full might of the Star upon him and drives him to his knees.
My lord! Your servant needs your aid!
Then the gate begins to once again bulge and the sparks appear as they dance across its surface.
“He’s coming through!” yells Brother Willim. “Forget Ozgirath. You must destroy the gate.”
James understands the logic of what he says and stops the beam of light going to Ozgirath. Instead he sends the magic toward the gate and works to prevent the crossing of Dmon-Li one way or another.
Jiron sees the Little Brothers racing for the stairs, fearful at what is coming through the gate. The six warrior priests are gone, now nothing but piles of blood and shredded meat remain. The shadows are still held at bay by the light of the Star. Brother Willim has Miko’s head cradled in his lap and things don’t look very good.
He finds Tinok lying not far away and runs over to him. The barrier which James had around him is gone. “Tinok!” he says as he comes to kneel at his side. When he doesn’t respond, he puts his ear to his chest to see if he’s still alive. A very faint lub-dub is heard as his heart still beats within his chest.
Giving him a gentle shake he says again, “Tinok! It’s me, Jiron.”
His eyes flutter open and at first he is unable to focus well enough to see. Then the sight of his friend’s face comes into clarity and he smiles. “Jiron, thank god you found me,” he says weakly.
“Can you stand?” Jiron asks.
“I think so,” he replies. With Jiron’s help he makes it to his feet. “Oh man,” he says as he sees James there struggling to keep the gate closed.
Jiron turns and sees the Star shining with incredible brilliance. The bulge within the gate moves outward, then recedes. Outward, then recedes again as James struggles to keep it closed.
“I can’t stop it,” James says. “Even with the Star, I can’t prevent him from coming through.”
“What can we do?” Jiron asks.
“Get everyone out,” he says. With sweat pouring down his face, he adds, “Fast.”
Tinok leans on Jiron’s shoulder as they hurry over to where Brother Willim cradles Miko’s head. “We’ve got to go,” urges Jiron. He sees the blood covering the front of his robes and the two halves of his staff lying on the ground nearby.
“Miko’s lost too much blood,” he says. “He can’t make it by himself and I am not strong enough to carry him.”
“Can you help Tinok?” he asks.
“I’m alright,” Tinok says as he lets go of Jiron’s shoulder. “My strength is coming back.”
“Okay.” To Brother Willim and Tinok he says, “You two help each other.” Bending over, he picks up Miko. The hand that had held the dagger is still a little numb, but serviceable as life returns to it. Turning back to James he hollers, “Let’s go!”
James turns