Demon Lord III - Grey God by T C Southwell Page A

moulded the
perfect features dark gods were inclined to possess. The shadows'
concept of perfection varied according to the species of its
wielder, and to Kayos' eyes the flat nose and thin lips were
reptilian and repellent.
    A line of tiny
scales ran down his nose, and pointed ears protruded from his dark
grey hair. His long robe, belted at the waist with gold chains,
covered all save his head and hands. Kayos was glad he had not
sought shelter in this domain the last time he had come this way.
Naribis gods were usually powerful, and this one appeared old. The
Naribis eyed Kayos with ill-concealed avarice, but, even without
Bane, Kayos was far from defenceless, and the Naribis was cautious.
Kayos retreated another step.
    "I should not
have disturbed you. I shall be on my way."
    "You wish
shelter? Enter, and enjoy my hospitality. I will not harm you." The
Naribis spoke in a sibilant tone.
    "I must
decline."
    "Regrettable,"
the Naribis husked. "Foolish of you to seek shelter in an unknown
domain, and surprising for one who should possess more wisdom."
    "I have wisdom
to spare, and would not be here if you were a threat to me."
    "You think
not? I speak the truth. I mean you no harm, if you do not seek to
thwart me. I offer a peaceful existence and protection from your
enemies, for a small price."
    Kayos frowned.
"I know the ways of your kind, Naribis."
    "Then you
should know better than to attempt to flee. It will be
pointless."
    "I have
thwarted dark gods before, but I will not engage you in a pointless
duel."
    Kayos raised a
hand, and the Naribis' eyes narrowed, which Kayos knew meant Bane
had shed his invisibility.
    The Naribis'
expression filled with distaste and frustration as he eyed the
Demon Lord, gauging his power. Kayos glanced around. Bane studied
the Naribis with hard, calculating eyes, but his youth was obvious
and he clearly lacked confidence. The Naribis looked annoyed, but
his lips stretched in a false smile.
    "Welcome,
Brother. Enter and enjoy my hospitality."
    "I think not.
We will journey on."
    "As you wish.
But you will find nowhere else to rest for some considerable
time."
    "I will take
my chances."
    The Naribis
gestured at Kayos. "He is your captive?"
    "Yes."
    "Quite a feat
for one so young to capture a Grey God."
    Bane shrugged
and beckoned to Kayos. "Let us go."
    "Perhaps we
will meet again," the Naribis called after him as he turned
away.
    Bane
approached the trio, which rose and fell in behind him. Mirra came
to Bane's side and slipped her hand into his. After they had walked
a short distance, there came a soft boom as the Gate closed.
    "How would you
have escaped him if you had been alone?" Bane asked Kayos.
    "I would not
have sought shelter within that domain, for one thing. And if I
had, he would not have captured me, I assure you."
    "You must have
had many narrow escapes wandering around in here for a thousand
years. If hiding inside a rock is one of your more popular methods,
it is little wonder it took you so long to find your
granddaughter."
    "That is a
defence I use only against beasts whose attention span is short. To
use it against a god would be foolish."
    "I suppose,
given enough time, they could break through it?"
    Kayos nodded.
"What I used against the dark beast was only a shield wall. I would
not employ it to keep a god at bay. For that I would use a shield
sphere, which is impregnable. But that would be a last resort. I
would not want to spend thousands of years trapped inside with a
dark god waiting for me to emerge."
    "I suppose
not. So what are we going to do now?"
    "I know of a
dead domain. We can go there. It is not as safe as a light god's
domain, but it is safer than here."
    Bane glanced
down at Mirra, who stifled a yawn and shot him a bright smile that
belied the weariness in her eyes. Grem and Mithran also looked
exhausted, though they had not walked as far as he had. He wondered
where the demon steeds were, and a short time later they emerged
from the blue curtains as if in