Read The Black Keep (The Chronicles of Llars) for Free Online Page B

deep within himself that no sword could match. In fact, in one short hour he had learned much that would help him and his companions should they be accosted again on their journey.
    Gennevera began to stir and then sat bolt upright. She too, momentarily feared the vulnerable position they were in, having fallen asleep with no watch set. Seeing Carym awake and watching over them, she smiled warmly and stood. It was only a few more moments before Yag and Gefar roused themselves, casting wary glances around the temple and at Carym.
    “How it is, you been awake this whole time?” asked Gefar with little attempt to hide accusation in his voice.
    “I was asleep too, Gefar, but I awoke before you. Look at your wounds, they are healed!” exclaimed Carym happily.
    “I saw that meself, I did,” growled the man suspiciously. “I also saw you awake when I fell down, and awake when I opened me eyes!”
    “At ease, Gefar!” Yag said sternly to his mate. “This good man has helped keep us all alive.” The old captain cuffed his subordinate on the shoulder and was rewarded with a stare like daggers. “I’m healed too. An’ though I give my praise to the Lady of the Seas, today all praises to the Great Father!”
    “What do we do now?” Gefar grumbled, aiming the question at Carym. “And where’s yer weapon anyway?”
    “My sword is gone, Gefar. I’m not certain, but I suspect I know what happened to it.”
    Gefar looked decidedly disgusted; losing a weapon among Roughnecks was unthinkable and a sure ticket to a sound thrashing. Yag said nothing, but looked as though he expected a very good explanation. Carym took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, pushing away the anxiety that was threatening to overtake him.
    “There’s been no time to tell you all before now, but something remarkable happened in that house where we were attacked by troks.”
    He took the device known as Fyendi’s Home from Gennevera’s pack and placed it on the floor in front of them. Yag whistled and Gefar eyed the box suspiciously. Then he removed the spell book and placed it reverently on the floor next to the box. Gennevera sat beside Carym and put her arm around his shoulders, leaning on him, comforting in a way he had not known for a very long time.
    “You have all suffered much, and lost more, merely for carrying Zach and me on your ship. For that I am truly sorry.” Carym looked down at his hands, remembering the men lost at sea, envisioning their blood. Then he looked up noticing that the apology had been appreciated, if not commented upon, and he continued. “For that I owe you an explanation, for we are not out of danger yet.”
    He began his account of what had befallen him and Zach during their flight from Hybrand and their stay in Dockyard City. “You may be certain that we are being hunted,” he said grimly. He noted the intent look from Gefar, and the incredulous look from Yag. “What stalks us are the minions of the Shadowfyr, the Dark God himself. It was by his hand, I am certain, that those beasts attacked your ship, and the troks that waited to ambush us. You are all in danger merely by being with me, and it seems that we must remain companions for a while. I will not be offended should any of you choose to part company from me as soon the opportunity arises.”
    Gefar snorted derisively. Yag merely nodded, but said nothing. Genn continued to cling to him, trembling slightly. He thought that was odd for such a strong woman. “When you came to get us, Yag, we had just escaped being trapped in a multidimensional chamber for several long hours.”
    “Hours, you say?” said the former pirate, a cloud passing over his features. “You had only been gone but a few minutes ‘fore I came to find you.”
    “I know it sounds incredible, but this box is a multidimensional chamber. And, I’m not sure how or why, but it seems as though time passes differently inside the chamber,” he said, lifting the box. “This