The Twilight War by Simon Higgins Page A

Eagle’s tightly clenched teeth. He drew in a long, slow breath as he forced his eyes wide. Finally, smothering a sigh of pain, Eagle put his shoulders back and looked around the group. Somehow, he was again magnificent.
    Moonshadow’s eyes grew hot. Eagle’s determination was utterly heartrending. Despite his appalling condition, the master was rallying the last of his ki so he could put their house in order before the poison addled him totally.
    â€˜Our foes in this matter appear to be Clan Fuma,’ Eagle said carefully. ‘I believe them to be merely the sword and Moonshadow’s old admirer, Lord Silver Wolf, the hand wielding it. All of you, beware his schemes more than ever, now that we’re off balance.’
    â€˜With all diligence, master.’ Mantis bowed his head. ‘And as to that sword –’
    â€˜Ah yes, my orders.’ Eagle’s hands began to shake. He quickly hid them in his jacket, then scanned the group imperiously. ‘I … I have already given Brother Mantis the details, but here is the short version: a two-man team will be sent after Snowhawk.’
    â€˜Yes!’ Moonshadow and Groundspider blurted in unison. Moonshadow glanced at his colleague,only too aware that they hadn’t reacted for the same reason. He was instantly seeing a rescue; Groundspider, no doubt, a darker, more final outcome. Eagle’s next words confirmed his thoughts, bringing both points of view out into the open.
    â€˜Agent Snowhawk,’ Eagle said firmly, ‘is to be tracked, located and appraised. Clearly, we cannot just sit back and let the Fuma have her. If she is loyal and was snatched using some wicked magic, then she must be rescued before the Fuma can prise training secrets and mission knowledge from her. If, however, she was an infiltrator all along, then action must still be taken before she willingly hands them our innards.’
    Action must be taken? Moonshadow frowned. Just what Groundspider hoped for!
    The light in Eagle’s eyes grew dimmer. Squeezing Mantis’s shoulder, he glanced around the circle. ‘Brothers Mantis and Badger will explain the rest.’ Eagle turned his head and stared into the former duellist’s eyes. ‘Mantis, my friend, I pass the mantle of my authority. The Grey Light Order is yours now.’ His voice thinned. ‘ Protect them .’
    Eagle’s eyes closed. He crumpled on the spot, head sagging to his chest. Heron gasped. Moonshadow shuddered. While Mantis held Eagle’s head up, Heron leapt to her feet, hurried to the door and called to the household staff busily cleaning up the archives.
    A bald, hunched old man and a pretty middle-aged woman entered the room, each carrying a freshly lit paper lantern. They set them down before gently lifting Eagle.
    â€˜Make up a soft sick bed for him in the corner of my workroom,’ Heron ordered.
    The servants bowed low to her then carried Eagle away with great care, leaving a lantern in the centre of the tatami to illuminate the darkening room. Every eye tracked Eagle’s departure sorrowfully. The door slid shut and for the longest moment, nobody could speak. Moonshadow stole a glance at Heron. Her eyes were closed. One hand covered the lowest third of her face. Beneath it, her chin was twitching.
    He hung his head, drew in the pungent, fatty odour of the lantern’s oil and tried to calm his own racing thoughts. So many questions! Was Eagle going to die? If they found Snowhawk, exactly how could her loyalty – or otherwise – be established?
    â€˜We weighed this plan from all angles,’ Mantis said. ‘At my insistence, we even debated the karma, good and bad, that might flow from each of the possible outcomes.’
    As Moonshadow looked up, Brother Mantis raised a hand and pointed at him.
    â€˜You and Groundspider will be the two-man team. As the senior, Groundspider is thedesignated leader. Brother Badger intends to equip you