Free 02 - Taint of Evil by Neil McIntosh - (ebook by Undead) Page B

suppose.”
    Baecker nodded, thoughtfully.
    “And you?” Stefan asked him. “May we know where you come from?”
    “We serve the rulers of Sigmarsgeist,” Baecker replied. “We are honoured to
wear that livery.”
    “It’s an honourable name, and a memorable one,” Stefan agreed. “But not one
I’ve heard. This town—or city—lies somewhere far distant?”
    Baecker shook his head. “No more than a day and a night’s ride at most,” he
replied. “I’m not surprised that our citadel is unfamiliar to you. As yet, the
name of Sigmarsgeist is known to few beyond the walls. But that will change,” he
assured Stefan. “Believe me, friend, the time will come when all the Old World
will know and bless that name.”
    “That may well be,” Stefan replied, slightly startled by the scale of
Baecker’s boast. “Certainly, your valour speaks favourably for your allegiance.
We share your abomination of evil. I wish you and your people well.”
    “Why not ride with us?” Baecker suggested. You would find much to commend in
Sigmarsgeist. The citadel is only a few days distant. You would be made
welcome-' he looked at each of them in turn. “Each of you has virtues to be
valued.”
    “Well…” Stefan exchanged glances with Bruno. Baecker was a brave man who
had shown them nothing but courtesy, and he had no wish to offend him. But a
diversion to a city he had never heard of was not part of his plans. “Your offer
honours us, but—”
    “I should like to see this citadel of yours,” Bea interrupted. “I should like
that very much.”
    Hans Baecker bowed. “And Sigmarsgeist would be honoured to receive you. Will
you not come?” he asked Stefan. “I promise you, the citadel is a jewel worth
beholding.”
    Stefan thought about it. He was still unsure exactly where Sigmarsgeist lay,
but it was at least a full day’s ride, and possibly in the wrong direction. But,
then again, what was the right direction?
    Bea read the hesitation in Stefan’s eyes. “You’re wondering about him, aren’t
you?” she said. “The man you’ve been pursuing. You’re wondering where you should
go next?”
    Stefan nodded. If he were honest, they had lost all trace of Alexei. A part
of Stefan felt relieved that Zucharov had not been with the mutants. Perhaps he
was not yet ready to face that final moment of confrontation.
    But it could not be delayed indefinitely. Stefan knew that, before long, he
must track down Zucharov. And, in truth, he could have gone in any direction.
For now, perhaps, Sigmarsgeist would offer a chance to reprovision, perhaps to
rest for a while before taking stock and moving on. If the battle-hardened men
they had just encountered were any measure of the place, then Sigmarsgeist might
be as good a direction as any, for now.
    “We’ll ride with you as far as your citadel,” he told Baecker. “We’ll gladly
take of your hospitality, and buy food for our further travels if we may.”
    Hans Baecker gripped Stefan’s hand, and shook it enthusiastically. “Sigmar
was truly smiling upon us last night, Stefan Kumansky. Sigmarsgeist awaits us.
It will not disappoint.”

 
 
CHAPTER FIVE
The Dying of the Light
     
     
    The man who had once been Alexei Zucharov was on a journey.
    It was a journey which had no defined end, and no beginning that he could
remember any longer. It was a journey that had no direction of his own choosing,
yet the path that he travelled was unswerving and unalterable. It was a journey
that could be measured by the passing of days, and by the miles unravelled upon
the road. But, more than all of this, it was a journey through his inner world,
a journey taking him from the mortal man he had once been, towards a being he
could not yet comprehend. Change was coming upon Alexei Zucharov, and it was
relentless and unyielding.
    On his journey, Alexei swam through dreams that invaded his waking thoughts
and filled his hours of sleep. Dreams of what was, and what might have