Page 3759

In fact, with each passing hour, he was becoming increasingly convinced that was the case. If anything, he was now looking for evidence that might somehow prove Graves’ innocence. It sure would be nice if someone other than one of the most dangerous men in the world was to blame.

He supposed that the Black Scourge was also suspect, but that wasn’t exactly an improvement. Nor did it track with what little he knew of Gohvis’ motives. Yes, the man had come to him in secret and made negotiations, but those had been an attempt to move all the Rainlords away from Vantalay, not just Zeff.

‘Maybe it was neither of them,’ said Ax as they wandered around the phantom city again, just trying to kill time. ‘Garovel mentioned an experience like this, not so long ago. He, Chergoa, Hector, and Emiliana all became trapped in a pocket dimension during the battle at Dunehall.’

Zeff recalled. ‘Is this how they described their experience? A world full of phantom lights?’

‘No. For them, it was apparently just total darkness. No visual stimuli whatsoever. But it still bears consideration, I think. They ended up trapped because of an accident. Garovel described it as some kind of phenomenon when the Marauder of Calthos’ power clashed with the Shards of the Dry God.’

‘I don’t recall anything like that happening to us before waking up here.’

‘Neither do I, but is it not still possible that some similar phenomenon might be to blame?’

‘Are you sure you’re not just searching for excuses?’

‘Hmph. For whom? Graves? If he is at fault, then so be it. Our kin have overcome greater foes.’

Zeff actually smiled at that, though only just. He appreciated the reaper’s spirit, but he knew it would take a lot more than a winning attitude to fight someone like that.

‘But truly, I am starting to think it might not be him,’ Ax went on. ‘Which could be even worse for us, actually.’

‘Oh? And here I was admiring your optimism.’

‘We have been here for several days now. I worry that the culprit should have revealed themself by this point. Meaning that there may not be one in the first place--and that we’ll have to find our own way out.’

Zeff exhaled. ‘More searching, then.’

‘Indeed.’

They’d already found the outer bound of this realm a couple days ago. It was just a veil of thin light, but it was as impassable as a wall of soul-strengthened diamond.