Silent Hall by NS Dolkart Page B

dipped below the horizon.
    But as the sky grew dark, a path lit up before them. There was a new moon that night, and the stars were hidden behind clouds, yet ahead of them stood a moonlit path. The younger townspeople proclaimed it a miracle, but even through her excitement, Phaedra had to admit that the magic gave her an ominous feeling. It felt like a challenge to the Gods and a rebellion against nature.
    They traveled another hour down the eerie path, while the young villagers slowly succumbed to their elders’ anxiety. Their initial cheers were soon forgotten, and they plodded onward in silence. After a time, the clouds drifted on, and the stars could be seen above. Then the path abruptly ended.
    Everyone stopped and looked around, but in the dark, this field was indistinguishable from the rest of the landscape. Each traveler looked to the others, weary and frightened, for answers. Criton was peering ahead into the darkness, as if staring intently enough could make a fortress appear. Narky shuddered, and put a hand on his chest where the burn was hiding underneath his shirt. Bandu only sniffed the air and kept walking, past the villagers and past the end of the path.
    â€œBandu!” cried Phaedra, chasing after the girl, afraid of losing her. She heard the clank of Hunter’s armor as the rest of the islanders joined her, following Bandu into the darkness. Bandu hadn’t gone far, but she did not stop walking until Phaedra caught hold of her arm. “What in the Gods’ names do you think you’re doing?”
    Bandu looked at her silently and made a gesture with her other hand, palm upward. Phaedra followed her motion and stopped, gaping. A huge fortress stood in front of them where there had been none before, rising to the sky, blocking out the stars.

BOOK II
    Silent Hall

13
    Criton
    F or a moment , they all just looked at each other. Hunter, one hand on his sword hilt, stepped forward and knocked on the gate. His first raps were quiet and timid, his next few loud and aggressive, as if he was trying to quickly compensate for a weak first impression. At length, a voice called down to them from above.
    â€œWho are you, and what business do you have with me?”
    It was Phaedra who answered the voice. “We’re here with the people of a village, who heard that there were safe lodgings to be had with you here.”
    â€œI see. And who are you? Where do you come from and what Gods do you worship?”
    â€œWe five are from Tarphae, where Karassa is worshipped.”
    There was a brief pause. “Tarphae?” the voice repeated. “Fascinating. You’d better come in. But first tell the others that they may not bring their mules here. Other livestock may enter, but they must set their mules free.”
    A strange request, Criton thought, but Phaedra passed the message back, as the first villagers caught up with them. This set off a brief debate, as the owners of the mules naturally objected to the wizard’s conditions. But they had come this far and had little choice but to comply in the end. As soon as they did, the gates opened of their own accord.
    Hunter was slow to move, so Criton led the way. As he stepped over the threshold, a fire sprang up ahead. They walked between long walls of stone in order to reach it, and soon after found themselves in a huge courtyard.
    Behind a blazing fire pit stood a middle-aged woman in what appeared to be a nightgown. She did not speak, but waited until the villagers joined them. The geese, sheep and goats came first, plodding wearily through the gates and then, once their drivers were no longer concerned with them, standing in everybody’s way. Yet for all that, they made very little noise. Something about this place was cowing them into silence.
    At last, the woman spoke. “I am Psander,” she said. “Welcome to my home.”
    Criton looked around incredulously, but he found the crowd in awe. In awe of a woman in a