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. "You have traveled far and seen
many dreadful sights," said the knight, "but you have yet to
see the worst. I wish you luck!"
Turning the head of his wraithlike steed, he vanished
into the shadows.
"My lord! What do you mean?" cried Nikol.
"He's gone," said Michael.
The darkness lifted from his heart; the icy chill of death
retreated; the warmth of life flowed through his body.
"Let's leave this place swiftly," he said.
"Yes, I agree," Nikol murmured.
She went to lift the waterskin, hesitated, loathe to touch
it, fearful, perhaps, of the death's knight return. Then,
resolute, face pale, lips set, she picked it up. "He has been
cruelly wronged," she said, flashing Michael a glance,
daring him to disagree.
He said nothing. The silence became a wall between
them, separated them the rest of the way up the mountain.
Part VI
The Tower of the High Clerist was an imposing structure,
its central tower rising some one thousand feet into the air.
Tall battlements, connected by a curtain wall, surrounded it.
Michael had never seen any building this strong, this
impregnable. He could now well believe the claim made by
Nikol that the "tower had never fallen to an enemy while
knights defended it with honor."
Both stopped, stared at it, overcome with awe. "I have
never been here," said Nikol. The lingering horror of the
meeting with the undead knight had faded; her lingering
anger at Michael was all but forgotten. She gazed on the
legendary stronghold with shining eyes
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