Paran grimaced, wiped at his face. 'I want to leave, Raest,' he said gruffly. 'I want to return-'
His eyes blinked open, and he found himself on his knees, facing, with an interval of but a half-dozen paces, a bemused Son of Darkness. Paran sensed that but moments had passed since his sudden arrival, yet something of the tension he had first picked up had eased in the interval.
A hand rested on his shoulder and he looked up to find Silverfox standing beside him, the Mhybe hovering uncertainly a step behind. The Daru, Kruppe, stood nearby, carefully adjusting his silk clothing and humming softly, while Quick Ben took a step closer to the captain — though the wizard's eyes held on the Knight of Darkness.
The captain closed his eyes. His mind was spinning. He felt uprooted by all that he had discovered — starting with myself. Master of the Deck. Latest recruit to a war I know nothing about. And now … this. 'What,' Paran growled, 'in Hood's name is going on here?'
'I drew on power,' Silverfox replied, her eyes slightly wild.
Paran drew a deep breath. Power, oh yes, I am coming to know that feeling. Jen'isand Rul. We each have begun our own journey, yet you and I, Silverfox, are destined to arrive at the same place. The Second Gathering. Who, I wonder, will ascend to those two ancient, long-forgotten thrones? Where, dear child, will you lead the T'lan Imass?
Anomander Rake spoke. 'I had not anticipated such a … taut reunion, Caladan-'
Paran's head snapped around, found the warlord. And the hammer held so lightly in his massive arms. I know you now, Warlord. Not that I'll reveal your dark secret — what would be the point in that? The choice is yours and yours alone. Kill us ail, or the goddess you serve. Brood, I do not envy the curse of your privilege to choose. Oh, I do not, you poor bastard. Still, what is the price of a broken vow?
The Son of Darkness continued. 'My apologies to one and all. As this man,' Rake gestured towards Quick Ben, 'has wisely noted, to act now — knowing so little of the nature of the powers revealed here — would indeed be precipitous.'
'It may already be too late,' Kallor said, his flat, ancient eyes fixed on Silverfox. 'The child's sorcery was Tellann, and it has been a long time since it has been so thoroughly awakened. We are now all of us in peril. A combined effort, begun immediately, might succeed in cutting down this creature — we may never again possess such an opportunity.'