Continued from S3-5-2: In the Wake of the Inquisition. “If you are the Duke of Hrolmar then you have the means to pursue them… Why do you not?” Syn demanded, as Rynard cringed; no one challenges a man like Avan Astran before his own subjects. Every one knew the Duke’s reputation; he was renowned across the Young Kingdoms as a man of courage and honor. But if he would not purse the fanatical monks who had taken Nykira along with his Mabden bodyguard, then maybe he was not the man he was said to be. Avan was not use to being challenged, certainly not in public. But then he was not use to facing a Melnibonean. The only ones he had encountered before were in Imrryr, and they treated him with the same contempt they had for any other human. “My ship is being readied as we speak,” he replied, biting back his anger. “But we have no chance of catching them. They have too great a lead and their ship is smaller and faster. But I know where they’re going… The Abby of the Cleansing Flame in the western Iron Hills.” The Duke eyed them with an appraising stare as he took control of his rage and frustration. A Dragon Lord in Vilmir did not escaped notice, at lest not his and he had intended to seek him out, but not like this. “I’ve come to enlist your aid because I have a dilemma,” he continued in a more diplomatic tone, as he ushered them toward the docks. “I’ve been called to court; which I’m sure the Inquisition is well aware of. They know I can’t delay my response to the King, even to rescue Nadjana, so I can’t pursue them myself… But you can!” “I can land you on the eastern coast of the Iron Hills in route to Jadmar with out much of a delay to my trip to court,” he went on. “But the closest I can get you is nearly two hundred miles from the Abby. Still, it’s your best chance to rescue your friend… and you’re my best chance to rescue Nadjana.” “What about your teleport demon,” Rynard asked Syn as they rushed toward the Duke’s ship. “Can’t we just teleport to their ship, take Nykira and Nadjana, and then teleport back here?” “You would face a whole ship full of fanatics loyal to the Inquisition,” Avan warned, both surprised and encouraged that Syn had the means to take them nearly anywhere in an instant. “The demon must have a fixed point to take us to,” Syn rejected the idea, “both in elevation as well as position. With the ship rising and falling amongst the waves, as well as weaving upon its course, we could materialize in the deck or miss the ship all together. In either case it would mean near certain death.” “Our best chance lies with the Duke’s plan,” he admitted. “But,” he turned toward Avan with cold, deadly rage in his eyes, “I will see any harm done to Nykira returned to these so called Knights a hundred fold… Even if it means leaving all of Vilmir a scorched waste!” Avan had heard men make such boasts before, but at that moment, he believed that Syn could truly do it! To be continued on S3-5-4: Sisters in Suffering. The third installment in the fifth book of my Stormbringer characters' adventures. Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated!