Free Stones of Power 02 - Last Sword of Power by David Gemmell Page B

began within the mist and Cormac heard his name being called over and over.
    Then the grey wall parted and he saw Grysstha kneeling at the edge of the Circle, the two arrows still jutting from his chest.
    'Help me, boy,' groaned the old man.
    'Grysstha!' yelled Cormac, moving towards him, but Revelation's hand gripped his arm.
    'It is a lie, Cormac. That is not your friend.'
    'It is! I know him.'
    "Then how is he here - forty miles from where his body lay? No, it is a deceit.'
    'Help me, Cormac. Why won't you help me? I spent my years helping you.'
    'Be strong, boy,' whispered Revelation, 'and think on this: If he loved you, why would he call you to be slain by demons? It is not him.'
    Cormac swallowed hard, tearing his eyes from the kneeling man. Then the figure rose, the flesh stripping away like the skin of a snake. It swelled and curved, dark horns sprouting from its brow, long gleaming fangs rimming its mouth.
    'I see you!' it hissed, pointing a taloned finger at Revelation. 'I know you!' A black sword appeared in its hand and it rushed at the slender chalk-line. White fire blossomed, scorching its skin. It fell back, screaming, then attacked once more. Other bestial figures now appeared behind it, screeching and calling. Cormac hefted his sword, the blade gleaming white as captured moonlight. The mass beyond the Circle charged and a thunderous explosion roared from the ground.
    Many of the demonic beasts fell back, writhing and covered in flames, but three entered the Circle. Revelation raised his staff over his head and was instantly clothed in black and silver armour, the staff now a silver lance that split into two swords of dazzling brightness. He leapt to meet the attackers and with a wild scream Cormac rushed to aid him.
    A demon with the face of a lion lunged at him with a dark sword. Cormac blocked the blow, rolled his wrists and sent his own blade hissing into the creature's neck. Green gore fountained into the air and the beast fell dying.
    'The girl! Guard the girl!' screamed Revelation. Cormac swung his eyes from Revelation's battle with the two demons to see Anduine being dragged from the altar by two men. Without pause for thought, he leapt forward. The first of the men ran at him, and the boy saw his attacker's eyes were red as blood. As the man's mouth opened to reveal long curved fangs, fear struck Cormac like a physical blow and his pace faltered. But just as the creature bore down on him with terrifying speed, the boy's courage flared. The sword flashed up to block a blow from a slender dagger and then down, cleaving the demon's collar-bone and exiting through the belly. With a hideous scream the beast died. Cormac hurdled the body and the creature holding Anduine threw her to one side and drew a grey sword.
    'Your blood is mine,' it hissed, baring its fangs. Their swords met in flashing arcs and Cormac was forced back across the Circle in a desperate effort to ward off the demonic attack. Within seconds he knew he was hopelessly outclassed. Three times his enemy's sword was blocked within inches of his throat, and every counter of his own was turned aside with contemptuous ease.
    Suddenly he tripped over a jutting rock, tumbling to his back, the demon leapt for him, the sword slashing down . . . only to be blocked by the blade of Revelation. The silver-armoured warrior brushed aside a second blow, spun on his heel and beheaded his opponent.
    As suddenly as it had come the mist disappeared, the stars and moon shining with pure light upon the stones.
    'Are we safe?' whispered Cormac as Revelation pulled him to his feet. Beyond the Circle stood seven Viking warriors.
    'Not yet,' said Revelation.
    The black-clad man they had seen in Noviomagus stepped forward. 'Release the girl and you will live.'
    'Come and take her,' offered Revelation and the warriors advanced in a grim line, some holding swords and other axes. Cormac stood rooted to the spot, waiting for Revelation to signal a move.
    When it came, it