Chapter 9Vredech leapt up out of his chair in terror and spun round. He became aware of a cry mingling with his own and, as his eyes began to focus, reality slipped away once more as he found himself gazing into Cassraw’s face, its eyes wide and fearful, its mouth agape.
His mind teetered at the edge of an abyss.
The mouth began to move. Slow, lumbering words reached him.
‘I’m so sorry, Brother Vredech,’ they said breathlessly. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you. I...’ Control was exerted and there was a trembling but relieved breath. ‘You gave me a rare fright, jumping up like that.’
Vredech’s vision cleared and, somehow, he found his own voice. ‘Skynner. Keeper Skynner,’ he gasped, slapping his hand on his chest as if to still the frantic pounding of his heart. The two men stared at one a
