blank stone. Coupled with the sense of aversion Hurthang had felt for the entire valley—and which Bahzell felt, as well, when he let himself—that offered Sharnā's followers almost perfect concealment, and posting sentries would actually be more likely to attract attention, not less.
But Bahzell knew what was hidden there, and his belly tightened as he sensed a dark, malevolent presence inside that hill. Not Sharnā himself, though there was a trace of the dark god present. No one who'd ever sensed him could mistake that skin-crawling shudder of pure evil for anything else. But there was something more, another presence, infinitely weaker than Sharnā's potential power but enormously stronger than any mortal creature. He glanced at Kaeritha and Vaijon, and their expressions showed they sensed it, too. But they looked perplexed, uncertain as to just what it was they felt, for unlike him, they had never faced one of Sharnā's greater demons.
He drew a deep breath, then sank back into the cover of the forest edge and waved his friends in close.
"All right, then," he said softly. "We've found what we came for, but I'm thinking we've a real fight on our hands." He darted a sharp glance at Kaeritha and Vaijon. "The two of you are after sensing something else in there, too, aren't you, now?"
"Yes," Kaeritha said shortly, and Vaijon nodded.
"Well, I've sensed its like before—and so have you, Brandark." He flicked a look at his friend. "In the Shipwood."
"Phrobus!" Brandark whispered. "D'you mean there's a bloody demon in there?!"
"And why not? Sharnā is after being their patron, and as Kerry said naught but a moment ago, he's after knowing we're coming, whatever the bastards inside that hill may know or guess."
"A demon?" Hurthang shook his head. "That sounds like being just a mite much for our lads to handle, Bahzell."
"Aye, it does that. And I'll not say I'm looking forward to it myself," Bahzell admitted. "Still and all, it's a pleasure I've had before, and if I'm not all aquiver with eagerness, at least I've another m