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131
"We know well enough," said Gilla. "We just came from there."
"Have you?" She was clearly amazed. "You have been courageous ... or
foolish. Have you seen him?"
"We have," said Lugh.
"Well, I don't know how you survived it, but you'll have to again, for
we'll have to go right past him to reach the lift."
"He was asleep," said Aine. "At least, he seemed to be."
"Then maybe there's a chance."
"We've certainly no others left," said Lugh. "Let's be at it."
They started back along the gallery at a trot. Taillta held her own
with no trouble, refusing Lugh's offer to suppo.rt her. No other
soldiers appeared to challenge them.
"Why aren't there more warriors on this level?" Lugh asked his foster
mother.
"It's all Balor's quarters. No one comes up except on his command. Most
of the time he's alone."
"What is he?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure his own people do. But the power from his
eye is like no other. It's what blasted our fortress."
"I thought no one had survived. Are others of our people here?"
"They're all dead," she said grimly. "He killed the other survivors
trying to make me tell him where you'd gone. She gave a short,
humorless laugh. "There's irony for you! Now you come walking in his
door!"
"But, Taillta, why? Why does he want me?" Lugh asked her urgently.
She looked at him gravely. Her voice was firm.
"Lugh, that is something you cannot ask me. Please, promise you will
not, if you love me."
"If you wish it," he agreed reluctantly, adding, "at least not until
we're safe."
They reached the corridor that led to Balor's throne room, and ran up
it to the central doors. Lugh put his ear to them and listened. There
was only silence from beyond.
"There's a short hallway leading from the outer corner of the room on
the left," Taillta explained softly. "To reach it, you'll be crossing
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the room right before his throne. The door to the lift should be open.
If we can make it there, I think I
operate it. I watched them when I was brought up in it. It'll take us
right down to their wharves."
"Perfect," said Lugh. "But, if anyone of us doesn't make it, the rest
must go on. There's no stopping once we've begun.
night?
All agreed. They understood the hard logic in his words.
"If we're separated, we can meet at the boat," he went on. "Don't wait
long, though. If there's any danger, get out to sea." He looked at his
foster mother. "Taillta, you'll go first. You're most important now."
He eased one side of the huge door open a way and peered through the
crack. The throne room was empty save for the giant figure. It sat
motionless as before, the eye closed. Lugh pushed the door wider and
whispered to Taillta:
"Go ahead, then. As quickly and silently as you can. Don't pause for
anything!"
She nodded. Then she smiled and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Good
fortune to you," she said, and slid through the opening.
Anxiously he watched her cross the floor. She went swiftly, fearlessly,
gliding without a sound to the far comer, disappearing into the
entrance to the hallway. The black figure made no move, gave no sound
to show it had been disturbed.
"Good! She's made it," Lugh said with relief. "Now you, Aine."
This time she didn't challenge his order. She moved to the door, then
paused before slipping through to lean back and give him a kiss
herself.
"My wish of good fortune matches hers," she said lightly, and then she
had gone.
Like Taillta, she flew silently across the floor without incident. The
being called Balor slumbered on.
"Your rum, Cilia," Lugh said. He grinned at the lanky man. "I've
decided your clumsiness is only an act. I hope I'm right."
"I'll try not to fall," the clown promised. He leaned toward the lad.
"Want my kiss for luck as well?" he asked, puckering his lips.
"Get on with you," said the embarrassed Lugh, shoving him toward the
door.
True to his promise, the clown made his silent way across the room,
past the figure who might have been a statue cast from iron.
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132
THE RIDERS OF THE SIDHE
Now it was LugH's turn.
He slipped through the opening, closing the door behind him. He
began to move stealthily across the room. H glanced up at the
black giant as he went. No life there. G
He was crossing right before it when the voice spoke, the sound of it
clanging hollowly, like a metal drum.
"Lugh!" the voice of Balor called to him.
XVII
THE STORM
LUCH FROZE, ROOTED by a fear that pounded madly in his tight chest,
dried his mouth, stopped his mind.
He forced himself to look up toward the figure. The eye was still
closed. It hadn't moved. But the voice clanged from it again.
"It is you, isn't it, Lugh? I saw the others pass. I let them go. I
knew none could be you. I waited for you."
Lugh stood staring at the monstrous form. He battled inwardly to
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