Free The Warlock Enraged-Warlock 4 by Christopher Stasheff Page A

Chlis?"
    Magnus's face darkened. "I mind me of them—and of the peril they placed us in. But what sign of them is there in this coil. Papa? I see naught but an aged wizard, who hath at long last struck out in bitterness and sense of being wronged."
    "That's what they want you to see. Okay, son, up onto the stack—heave!" They swung the sawhorse up onto the top of the stack, and turned away to go get the other one.
    "But if there's the likelihood of a repressive government showing up, there's a high probability of totalitarians from the future, being behind it."
    Behind his ear, a methodical voice intoned, "Generalizing from inadequate data..." 56 Christopher Stasheff
    "But surely that is not enough sign of their presence," Magnus protested, "only the harshness of Alfar's rule!"
    "You've been talking to Fess again," Rod accused. "But keep your eyes open, and you'll see more signs of their hand behind Alfar. Myself, I've been wondering about what your mother said—that there's no trace of a mind, behind that 'instant' hypnosis spell Alfar used on these soldiers." Magnus stared in consternation. "But... Papa... how could that..."
    "Up with the trestle," Rod reminded, and they bent to pick it up, and started toward the wall again. "Think, son—
    what doesn't? Think, that is. What can do things, but doesn't think?"
    Magnus was silent as they hoisted the trestle to the top of the stack. As they turned away, he guessed, "A machine?"
    "You have been talking to Fess, haven't you?" There was a brief, nasty buzz behind his ear. "I'd call that a good guess."
    "But only a guess," Magnus reminded him.
    "Of course." They strolled up to Gwen where she knelt, just finishing spreading their blankets out over the rushes.
    "Managed to banish the vermin, dear?"
    "Indeed." She glanced at him. "Cordelia and I did think to gather fresh rushes the whiles we were on our way here, so we'll sleep sweetly enow."
    Something about the phrase caught Rod's attention. He stared down at the blanket, then lifted his gaze slowly to look deeply into Gwen's eyes.
    She tilted her chin up and turned to her sons. "And bear thy manners in mind, for we sleep in company, here." The children stared at her, then frowned at one another in puzzlement, then turned back to her. "Why wouldst thou think we might not?" Magnus asked. Geoffrey piped in,
    "We're good boys. Mama!"
    "Aye," Gwen answered, turning to Rod, "and so must thou all be."
    In the middle of the night a low groan began, swelling in volume and bouncing back and forth between the stone walls, until it filled the whole hall.
    Rod shot bolt upright, panic clamoring up inside him

THE WARLOCK ENRAGED 57
    jarring his brain. Rage answered, and struggled against it. A bluish white light filled the hall, showing all the servants shocked upright, staring in fear and horror. Cordelia screamed, burying her face in Rod's midsection, and Gregory burrowed into Gwen's skirts.
    Magnus and Geoffrey glared truculently upward, even as they backed away against the wall.
    Above them all, the great hall was filled with a throng of pale, glowing spectres in antique gowns and ancient armor, all blue-white, and translucent.
    And facing the Gallowglass family.
    The male closest to them lifted an arm with the weight of centuries, and his voice rolled out, thundering, "Thou!
    'Tis thou who dost disturb our rest, thou and thy get! Name thyself, and step forth from thy craven guise!" Gwen laid a restraining hand on Rod's arm, but the rage was building, and he shrugged her off, incensed that she should dare to remonstrate with him. He glared up at the ghost, throwing his shoulders back and issuing his words one by one. "I am Rodney Lord Gallowglass, High Warlock ofGramarye! And who are you, who dares so address me?"
    "I am Arendel, first Count of Drulane!" the ghost bellowed. "'Tis in my hall thou dost stand! Wherefore hast thou come, and why hast thou disturbed my rest—mine, and all of my line's! Speak, sirrah! Now!"
    The rage surged