CHAPTER 4SCORCHED EARTH
Time passed. Overhead, the constellations wheeled through the heavens. It came to be the hour of moonrise. Erelong, the skies flushed with pale green fire, signaling the coming-forth of the moon Diostrion. Still Kellory brooded over his somber thoughts.
The Duke became restive. “Have you arrived at some solution to the problem?” he asked. “For we must either put down the demon or march leagues out of our way, and ’twere best we begin the journey, if march we must.”
Kellory looked grim. “I have. Withdraw all of your men to the safe side of the river, but leave the torches burning.”
“What are you going to do?” whispered Carthalla. He shrugged gloomily.
“I said that an intrinsic conflict exists between the forces of the elements, that they are irreconcilably oppos
