Keith Baker - The Gates of Night

Laraek ixen korth, the dwarf whispered, tracing his fingers along the edge of the metal disk. Runes etched into the steel burned with blue fire. The light faded, and as it did, the disk became blurry and indistinct, almost invisible against the stone floor. The dwarf took two careful steps back, slipping down the hall. He glanced up at Daine and gave a curt nod. If the disk were triggered, it would collapse the tunnel, which appeared to be the only entrance into this mysterious outpost.

Daine didnt relish the thought of being trapped below, but the odds of surviving the night had never been good. Whatever this facility was, it posed a clear threat to the people of Cyre. Daine intended to cripple the base. If he and his soldiers could complete this mission and escape, all the better. If not, collapsing the entrance would have to do. At least it would buy Daines messenger time to warn the garrison at Casalon.

It was a good plan, Ill give you that.

The sudden sound was a shock. No guards were in sight, but silence was clearly called for. Daine turned and glared at Jode.

I ordered you to scout ahead, Daine whispered.

Jode shook his head. Daine, its time to wake up.

And with those words, memory returned-visions of another battle.

A kalashtar woman wreathed in shadows

Lei stretched across a stone dais, surrounded by pieces of glowing crystal

Betrayal

And a rushing, hissing voice, demanding a vial of blue liquid

Daine lowered his sword until the point was level with the halflings heart. Who are you? Lakashtai? Or Tashana?

You know who I am.

Cold fury gripped Daines heart. Enough! Ive had enough of your games.

I know what youve been through, Jode said. I can imagine how hard this is for you. But its over now. Let me show you.

Jode held out his hand, but Daine felt only anger. He was still piecing it together, but it was clear that Lakashtai had been manipulating him for weeks. Possibly months. Shed used his feelings for Lei against him, and now this. Daine slapped the halflings hand aside with the flat of his sword.

The little man winced but held his ground. Not exactly the joyous reunion I had hoped for. A drop of blood blossomed on one finger, and he sighed. Daine, you know the truth, even if you dont want to see it. I need you to trust me. One more time.

Daine studied his old friends eyes, searching for any signs of deception. More memories flashed through his mind.

Jode on the streets of Metrol, surrounded by tattooed men

The halflings body, lying in a charnel pit beneath Sharn

Cursing himself, Daine reached out and took the halflings hand.

For a moment Daine was blinded, overwhelmed by sensations. The world seemed to collapse, his vision rising up from the base to look out over Keldan Ridge. He could see every detail with crystal clarity. He knew the position of every shattered warforged, of every Cyran corpse. And he knew it was a dream. He could sense the boundaries of the battlefield, how it faded away just beyond the range of sight, a silver bubble, floating in darkness.

The darkness was alive, and it saw him.

Terror flowed through Daine. He couldnt even see the spirit that lurked in the shadows, but he could feel it-a cold giant reaching out to crush his tiny dreamscape. He felt icy tendrils clutch at his heart. But he could feel something else. A source of light and warmth. A force adding its strength to his.

Jode.

Daine felt his friends laughter flow through him, along with a flow of memories.

Flying through the air astride a huge, birdlike reptile, a barren plain stretched out beneath him

Daine and Jodes first meeting in Metrol, now seen from Jodes eyes

And a ghastly purple face, with a ring of writhing tentacles reaching toward him. The mind flayer beneath Sharn, the last thing Jode had seen while alive

There was no longer any doubt in Daines mind. This was Jode, and the frigid darkness shattered against the two united minds.

Then he was back in the tunnel, staring at the face of his friend. Behind him, Krazhal and Kesht stood frozen. With his newfound senses, Daine could sense that they were empty, fragments drawn from his memory-as was the hall itself. But Jode

Daine forgot about the darkness, about Lakashtai, about any of it. His sword slipped from his fingers as he moved forward and grabbed Jode around his shoulders, lifting him into the air.

I know, I know, Jode said with a grin. Its the miracle of me.

How is this possible?

You think I know? Out of the two of us, whos been dead?

But you said you knew what Id been through-

Jode grinned. And youve never known me to embellish the truth? After I was caught by Teral, everything sort of fades. Every now and then Id catch glimpses of the three of you or hear you talking to me. Occasionally your dreams-this place-would flash into view, and I could see the creature you were fighting, but I couldnt reach you. Then everything changed. I was here, and I could feel your thoughts.

Daine set the halfling down. And how did you know what would happen when we touched?

Its a dream. Sometimes you just know things in dreams.

A chill ran down Daines spine, the force watching in the darkness. He could still feel it out there, watching, probing his defenses. But even though they were no longer touching, he could still feel Jodes strength. He wasnt alone anymore. And whatever force had been fighting him before, it couldnt overcome them both.

So tell me what Ive missed! Jode said. I can see an ocean voyage? A wall of fire? I want details. And how are Lei and Pierce?

Lei! In the chaos of the dream, Daine had almost forgotten the battle hed left behind. Theres no time. Theyre both in terrible danger. If this is a dream, we need to wake up. Now.

Jode shrugged. Its your dream. Thats your job.

Daine closed his eyes, then opened them quickly.

Nothing.

Dorns teeth! he swore, smashing his fist against the wall. Pain and numbness lanced across his nerves, but his surroundings never wavered. Helpless anger burned in Daines heart. He glanced back down the tunnel, searching for the concealed blast disk.

I wouldnt, Jode said, responding to Daines unspoken thought. I dont know what death would do to us, but if Leis really in trouble, do you think thats the first thing you should try?

What else can I do?

Be calm, Jode said. Remember this is a dream. Your dream. Close your eyes and take my hand.

Fighting against his raging emotions, Daine blew out his breath and reached out for the halflings hand.

Wake up.

And he did.

Daine, Harmattan said, his voice a thunderous hiss, metal grinding in a great wind that seemed to come from all directions. Its been a long time.

Harmattan stood in the rooms sole entrance. At first glance, he seemed a massive man in a flowing cloak-easily nine feet tall, with muscles to rival an ogres. Metal glittered across his body, as if he were covered in chainmail. Even his cloak seemed forged from metal links. Dark mist shrouded his head. Points of red light hinted at eyes within the shadow.

Pierce had seen Harmattan in action and knew that his appearance was deceiving. Harmattan was not wearing chainmail, and he was no man. As Pierce looked at Harmattan again, new thoughts flowed into his mind-

A web of magical force binds the metal fragments together. This energy is concentrated in Harmattans head. The rest of his body is thus both malleable and expendable. A sufficient burst of abjurative energy could temporarily dispel the force holding his body together. However, this web is extremely powerful, and such an effort would be unlikely to succeed