Chapter 8

My eyes snapped open. A scream had issued from the outskirts of the encampment.

Vi.

I leapt out of the shelter and sprinted towards the cage of prisoners. But where it once was nothing remained: a shear cliff had been gouged out of the mountainside in a large avalanche. There, tumbling down the mountainside, was a metal cage, containing two prisoners.

Reacting instinctively, I hurled myself down the slope. I used my hands and feet to propel me down after the cage, leaping over crashing snow and boulders. Moving faster then the wind, I caught up with the cage, and gripping the metal bars with my bare hands, I lifted it and launched myself back up the cliff. I landed on the edge of the precipice seconds after I had jumped.

I glanced into the cage. "Are you two all right?"

Mavin only glared at me and turned his head, but Vi nodded silently.

"Vi," I began, "I want-"

I was interrupted by Illidan. "What are you doing, Kylar? You know that they must be put to death."

I glared at him, this time probing his soul. "You don't deserve death, Illidan." I growled. "You deserve torture."

Illidan was shocked. "What are you saying? Is this another betrayal?"

"No." I smiled grimly. "Kael-Surd!" I called. The beast looked my way. "I looked into his soul and I have discovered that this Silent Prophet intends to kill the Lord of Silence! He must be put in chains immediately!"

Krul converged on him from every side. He cried out. "It's a lie! He's Lying! He's the traitor, not me!" His cries were smothered as he was knocked unconscious.

"Well detected, Night Wraith." Kael-Surd laughed. "You have a talent for seeing betrayal. But you are not the only one." He signaled to the krul. "I must be going now. You have no further purpose in the Lord of Silence's plan. You will be eliminated. You will not reach the High Rock." He suddenly reached a claw out, rent the bars of the cage, and lifted Mavin out. "I can't just leave him here; he is needed for the machine. Farewell, Kylar Deatheyes." He then disappeared in a cloud of smoke, while krul converged on me.

Vi, I thought, you were right. I do not wish for evil, and so I cannot go along with the Dreadlord's scheme. I will forsake the power of darkness! I glanced at the krul army that advanced upon me. But first I have some unfinished business.

Drawing Dark Shear, I gave the warrior's salute to the pair in the cage. "Wish me luck." I charged into the giant mass of undead, wielding darkness like a sword. In the background, the sun set, as red as blood.

You forgot one thing, Dreadlord. NO one tells me to lay down and die.