Free A Blackbird In Silver (Book 1) by Freda Warrington Page B

sky that was as low and claustrophobic as a roof. The smell and texture and atmosphere of the Shana’s region were enough to induce utter misery and despair even before the Shana began their tortures.
    ‘Welcome to the Dark Regions,’ said Meheg-Ba with a red grin. ‘It was fortunate that your brother summoned me, for he is now the most powerful man in the world. How lucky the Shana have control of him. Now you are to be forged as the instrument of his power.’
    Fighting down the panic induced by the Shanin’s terrible presence, Ashurek growled, ‘If you think to make me a puppet, think again.’
    ‘So, you are a wilful one, as Meshurek said. No matter – fight me if you like. It will make the process longer and more painful for you, but no less effective.’
    Ashurek fought, mentally and physically. But in the endless black labyrinths of the Dark Regions, the cells of rotting flesh and the evil, infinite swamps, nightmares were made real and inescapable. Demons and other, more primeval creatures tortured him in body and mind until fear itself, fear of dark corners behind his back and of the sinister, laughing malice of the Shana, became the thing he dreaded most. And behind all he continually sensed the presence of another being, as vast and indestructible as the universe, formed not of the self-delighted evil of the Shana, but of absolute, ashen desolation. The Serpent M’gulfn.
    Ashurek fought long and desperately until even Meheg-Ba was surprised at his endurance. He was fighting for Meshurek’s release as much as his own sanity. But the struggle tired him as greatly as the torment, and at last, exhausted and half-mad with terror that the dark sky itself would rupture and reveal the Serpent to him, his will broke.
    He begged Meheg-Ba to set him free.
    The demon mocked him for a while, but eventually said, ‘You know there is a price to pay for your freedom.’
    ‘I had guessed,’ said Ashurek with what sarcasm he could muster.
    ‘Don’t worry – it is a very simple task. I am going to deliver you to another dimension where you will fetch a small jewel known as the Egg-Stone. Then I will send you home.’
    ‘Why can’t you fetch the thing yourself?’
    ‘Because no creature of the Serpent can enter the dimension,’ the demon answered. ‘And the stone is guarded by a creature who could destroy a Shanin with the merest touch. But it offers no danger to humans, so you need not fear.’
    ‘Fear,’ Ashurek echoed bitterly. ‘What if I refuse?’
    ‘Fetch it, or keep us company here for eternity!’
    ‘Very well. But if you are so eager for the stone, you can do something else in return. Swear that my mother and sister will be left out of your plan, and unharmed.’
    The demon grinned with red delight.
    ‘Of course! I swear it. But the bargain will also work in reverse. If you fail, your mother and sister will be brought here and used in any way it pleases me.’
    The demon released Ashurek into a dimension of shifting grey rock. It seemed a region between worlds, like the area where two great continental plates move uneasily against each other beneath the ocean. He crossed this strange, neutral landscape with grim briskness, putting from his mind speculation as to what the Egg-Stone might be. He had no choice but to seek the artefact. At last he came to a mountain that sailed in the mist like a vast ship of stone.
    When he set foot on the mountain he was still, in the Gorethrian way, innocent.
    A bird flitted across the rocks in front of him as he climbed. He started, because surely Meheg-Ba had implied there was no living creature in this dimension except the Egg-Stone’s guardian? He shook his head and went doggedly on. But the bird wheeled round and began fluttering alongside him, hopping from rock to rock.
    He ignored it – until it spoke.
    ‘Where, oh where, are you going?’ it sang in a melodious, lilting, unhuman voice.
    Ashurek stared at it. It was a large female blackbird. Its tawny