Read The Damned 02 - The Swords Of Night and Day for Free Online Page A

line,’
    he said.
    ‘A wagon and a single driver would be more effective, surely?’ observed Skilgannon. ‘Or do the women bring more than just food?’
    Landis smiled. ‘Some of them are wed to loggers, and perhaps they do creep off into the undergrowth for a while. In the main, however, they just bring food. You speak of effectiveness. Yes, a wagon would bring more supplies, more swiftly, with considerable economy of effort. It would not, though, encourage a sense of community, of mutual caring.’
    ‘That is a good principle,’ said Skilgannon. ‘How does it equate with the fact that when they passed us none of them spoke, and not one of them looked up at us?’
    ‘A good question,’ observed Landis, ‘and I am sure you already know the answer. It is important to encourage a sense of community. People need to feel valued. It would be exceedingly foolish, however, for a leader to join in. He needs to set himself apart from his followers. If he were to sit among them, and chat to them, and share with them, eventually someone would ask him why he was the leader. By what right did he rule? No leader wishes to engage in that conversation. No, I am like the shepherd, Skilgannon. I muster the sheep and lead them to good grazing land. I do not, however, feel the need to squat down and munch grass with them. Was it so different in your day?’
    ‘For many years I served a warrior queen,’ Skilgannon replied. ‘She would tolerate no defiance of her will. Those who spoke against her - those she even thought were speaking against her -died. In many ways the society prospered. The Drenai, on the other hand, had no kings. All their leaders were elected by the votes of the people. Yet they also prospered for many centuries.’
    ‘Yet, in the end, both fell,’ said Landis.
    ‘All empires fall. The good, the bad, the cruel, and the inspired. For every dawn there is a sunset, Landis.’
    No more was said until they reached the palace. There a groom led away the chestnut and Landis and Skilgannon climbed to the uppermost level, entering a high circular tower. ‘Gamal is very old,’ Landis told the warrior. ‘He is blind now, and frail. He is, however, an Empath and versed in the ancient shamanic skills.’
    He pushed open a door and the two men stepped into a circular chamber, the floor scattered with rugs. Gamal was sitting in an old leather chair, the blanket pulled close around his thin shoulders. His head came up, and Skilgannon saw that his eyes were the colour of pale opals. ‘Welcome, warrior, to the new world,’ he said. ‘Pull up a chair and sit with me awhile.’
    Skilgannon settled himself in another armchair. Landis was about to do the same when the old man spoke again. ‘No, Landis, my dear, you must leave Skilgannon and me alone for a little while.’
    Landis looked surprised, and a little concerned. But he forced a smile. ‘Of course,’ he said.
    After Landis had gone the old man leaned forward. ‘Do you know yet who you are?’
    ‘I know.’
    ‘I will be honest with you, Skilgannon. I am not a man who places great faith in prophecies. Landis -
    dear though he is to me -is a man obsessed. I brought your soul back because he asked me to.
    However, like so much in our modern world, it is against nature to do such a thing. Worse than that, it was morally wrong of me. I should have resisted it.’
    ‘Why did you not?’
    The old man gave a rueful smile. ‘A question that deserves a better answer than I can give. Landis asked it of me, and I could not refuse.’ Gamal sighed. ‘You must understand, Skilgannon, Landis is trying to protect this land and its people. He is right to fear for the future. Rebel armies are currently fighting amongst themselves. But that war is nearing its conclusion. When it is won the Eternal could turn her eyes towards these mountains. Landis would do anything to prevent his people being enslaved. Can you blame him?’
    ‘No. It is the nature of strong men to fight