OrbSoul (Book 6) by Martin Ash

struggling to hold back their fear.
       'Perhaps she had another, un missable appointment,' quipped Urch-Malmain. 'It happens. Sometimes one forgets these things.'
       Leth shouted to the entity, Aztin, 'Aztin, have you blocked the way and prevented her passage?'
       'I have done nothing,' replied Aztin in a peeved voice.
       Leth issued a curt command. 'Shenwolf, go back. Find out what has happened to Issul.'
       Shenwolf strode without hesitation across the chamber to the Portal.
       'No!' declared Urch-Malmain. 'Aztin, allow no one through!'
       Shenwolf stepped beneath the silver arch. Nothing happened.
       'Urch-Malmain, I will slay you here where you stand,' seethed Leth.
       'Then do so,' replied the Noeticist. 'And you will be trapped here forever, never finding what you need. And please step back a little, Swordbearer. Your proximity is truly an offence against my person.'
       Leth's breath shuddered. All advantage was lost, all surprise gone. Roles were reversed. Urch-Malmain smiled a crooked smile. 'Well, I think we are in a better position to engage in a little haggling now, aren't we.'
       The voices of the Portal entities grew more dominant.
       'The Swordbearer has returned!'
       'The Swordbearer! The Swordbearer! What is his purpose?'
       'Does he commit crimes?'
       'Does he wish to slay Master Urch?'
       'Why does he bring such violence?'
       Urch-Malmain grew impatient and ordered them to shut up. Shenwolf stepped angrily from the Portal and returned to his station at the door.
       'So what is it you want, Swordbearer?' enquired Urch-Malmain. 'And put away your sword, you impetuous king. It is no longer relevant.'
       Leth fought with the urge to drive the blade through Urch-Malmain's heart.
       'It would avail you nothing,' said Urch-Malmain, and Leth had the discomfiting feeling - as he had had before - that his enemy had read his mind. Urch-Malmain continued. 'I admit, I am surprised to see you. I sent servants to find you and just three returned, all bedraggled with self-pitying tales of capture and escape. I thought you were lost to me. And now you come rudely bursting in, committing injury upon my person and murdering a guard without provocation when I thought you desired nothing more than to be wholly free of me. You are an enigmatic fellow.'
       Leth was in turmoil. Issul's failure to appear had utterly shaken him. He glanced back again and again at the Portal, praying to see her standing there. But she did not come. What could have happened?
       He was seized by indecision. What now? I cannot abandon it all. But Iss . . . Issul. . .
       Urch-Malmain was peering at the visor again. 'Intriguing. A pathetically simple device, yet should I try to meet your gaze I see only my own reflection. Hmm. An old trick. Should I try to alter the minds of any one of you, would I succeed only in mesmerizing myself? Plainly, that is your belief. Or your hope, at least. Well, we shall see. But you name my two dear and ancient friends, Orbelon and Triune. What of them? Are they well? They have sent you here? Do they extend fond greetings? What do they wish of me?'
       Quite suddenly Leth became aware of the tone of his voice: a silky monotone delivered with quiet and sure calculation.
       'Cease!' Leth ordered loudly. He felt his mind was swimming, and recognized that Urch-Malmain had taken the moment, was directing his voice in such a manner as to lull him into reverie. He blinked several times, clearing his thoughts, ever more conscious of the power and guile of the foe he faced.
       'Leth, what is troubling you?' enquired Urch-Malmain, then uttered a squawk as Shenwolf stepped up from behind him and slipped a blindfold over his eyes. 'What is this! How dare you! This is an outrage!'
       'Beware his voice, also,' warned Leth.
       Shenwolf was tying Urch-Malmain's arms. 'Shall I gag him too?'
       'No, we must talk. But be alert to his wiles.' He addressed