Dark Foundations (104 page)

A moment later she turned back to Merral. “It is done. But ‘another way'? I don't understand.”

“I will explain everything to the committee tomorrow morning. In the meantime, can you summon a logistics team to Isterrane Airport for a meeting, in an hour's time? I need to have a ship launched as soon as possible—preferably tomorrow midday.”

“Very well. May I meet you there?”

“Of course.”

“I will make arrangements. And, by the way, there has been no response from Lezaroth.”

“I thought not. See you soon.”

The link ended. Merral suddenly felt certain that he had not seen the last of Lezaroth.
We will meet again,
and when we do, I must watch out
.
The hatred he had for me will surely have grown greater. But for the moment, I have more pressing concerns.

Merral looked at Azeras. “Sarudar, assuming we are to bring back the thirty hostages, how many people can we take?”

Azeras flexed his hand and looked at the screen. “Supplies will be tight. Thirty, thirty-one maximum, including you and me. No more.”

“Very well,” Merral suddenly realized he was shaking. “I need some fresh air,” he said and walked outside onto the balcony. There he stared up at the stars.

Dear Lord
,
I have had to make decisions and act swiftly. I need your guidance and protection on the path I have to take.

He suddenly noticed Anya alongside him.

“Well done,” she said softly. “I think.”

“I understand your reservation. Thanks.”

“I didn't understand what you were doing. Not at first. Would you have let the rocket hit them?”

Merral stared silently into the soft blackness where the sea rolled gently. “I'm not sure. I'm glad the decision was made for me.”

He was silent for sometime before he spoke. “But, Anya, as for going to pursue them, I have no regrets. That has to be done. I made a promise to Isabella's parents. Even if I hadn't, I would still want to go. If we left them to their fate, we would be denying all that the Assembly is.”

“True. And I admire you for that.”

“I'm not sure how admirable my behavior is. Had I obeyed in the first place, these events might not have happened.”

“That issue is past. I want to come with you.”

“Why? It will be dangerous, appallingly so.”

“I will come. My sister feared no evil; nor will I.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Please.” She touched his hand. “Let me leave you alone.”

“Thank you. It's only twenty minutes to the airport. I want the time to think some more.”

She left him and he stood there, leaning on the balcony rail watching the black sea with its waves twinkling silver in the starlight.

In an instant, he was aware of someone beside him, a silent night-black figure that occluded the stars.

“Ah,” Merral said softly. “I take it you do not need to be told what has happened.”

“No.” The voice seemed to cut through the warm stillness of the night. “I was forewarned. And I saw what happened.”

“Envoy, I understand your warning now. As a result of my disobedience, we have lost both the
Dove
and the hostages. Had I stayed here, both might have been averted. I'm sorry.”

“I was not sent to rebuke you, not now.”

“That's a relief. But I could have done with your advice just now. I had to make some hard choices.”

“I did not come any earlier for the very reason that they were hard choices. Your race prefers to evade such decisions: you are tempted to let us make them for you. That is partly why we keep a distance. Yet such decisions are part of the way of growth the Most High has chosen for you. My silence was for your good.”

“I see. So how did I do?”

“Better.”

“Well, thank you.”

“Look up.” The envoy commanded.

High above there was a flash of brilliant light among the stars.

“Was that them?” Merral asked, knowing the answer.

“Yes. They have started on their long journey.”

“And we will follow.”

“Yes. I have been sent to say that you will not go into the darkness alone. You must remember that you can go nowhere, even the deepest realms that the enemy controls, where you will be beyond the power of the Lord of All.”

“I am very grateful for that reminder. And will you come?”

“If I told you I will come, you might relax. If I told you I will not, you might despair. So I will say nothing.”

“So your silence is for our good?”

“Exactly.”

“Envoy, who should I take?”

“Take Verofaza, Lloyd, and the Allenix unit. And twenty-four of the bravest soldiers you can find.”

“I will. Jorgio?”

“I am pleased you know his worth. But no. Have him kept safe here. His destiny lies at the heart of the Assembly.”

“Anya wants to go.”

“Let her. But there, guard yourself. You have failed once; do not fail again. And let me remind you. One of the perils of spectacular evil is that men and women are so blinded by it that they stumble over more subtle but no less deadly evils.”

“Thank you.”

“Choose your team well.”

The envoy's form faded away.

Merral waited a few more minutes before returning inside.

The only person in the main room was Vero, who was packing a holdall. He looked up. “My friend, I take it you will not refuse me the chance of traveling with you.”

“No.”

“I had wished my journey would be inward to home, but instead it is outward into the enemy's territory.”

Merral sighed. “First. As soon as we can, we will go on to Earth. We must pray that not too much damage will be done before we get there. But I warn you, Vero, the journey to rescue the hostages will be very dangerous. What Azeras has revealed to us at last are the foundations that the Dominion rests on. I think you know, as I do, where—and to whom—the Blade of Night leads.”

Vero, who seemed to stare at the wall ahead, gave a tiny nod. “I know. In my heart, I suspected this. But whatever the risks, I will come with you. I believe in this the Most High has bound our lives together.”

“Thank you,” Merral said and hesitated.

In the silence a moth fluttered against the window.

“Vero, you remember you once said there were people who would follow me to the gates of hell?”

Vero nodded. “A figure of speech.”

“We'd better find them. That's where we're going.”