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Chapters (76)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise forMATTHEW HARFFY
  3. BY MATTHEW HARFFY
  4. Title Page
  5. Copyright
  6. Dedication
  7. Maps
  8. Epigraph
  9. Contents
  10. Place Names
  11. One
  12. Two
  13. Three
  14. Four
  15. Five
  16. Six
  17. Seven
  18. Eight
  19. Nine
  20. Ten
  21. Eleven
  22. Twelve
  23. Thirteen
  24. Fourteen
  25. Fifteen
  26. Sixteen
  27. Seventeen
  28. Eighteen
  29. Nineteen
  30. Twenty
  31. Twenty-One
  32. Twenty-Two
  33. Twenty-Three
  34. Twenty-Four
  35. Twenty-Five
  36. Twenty-Six
  37. Twenty-Seven
  38. Twenty-Eight
  39. Twenty-Nine
  40. Thirty
  41. Thirty-One
  42. Thirty-Two
  43. Thirty-Three
  44. Thirty-Four
  45. Thirty-Five
  46. Thirty-Six
  47. Thirty-Seven
  48. Thirty-Eight
  49. Thirty-Nine
  50. Forty
  51. Forty-One
  52. Forty-Two
  53. Forty-Three
  54. Forty-Four
  55. Forty-Five
  56. Forty-Six
  57. Forty-Seven
  58. Forty-Eight
  59. Forty-Nine
  60. Fifty
  61. Fifty-One
  62. Fifty-Two
  63. Fifty-Three
  64. Fifty-Four
  65. Fifty-Five
  66. Fifty-Six
  67. Fifty-Seven
  68. Fifty-Eight
  69. Fifty-Nine
  70. Sixty
  71. Sixty-One
  72. Sixty-Two
  73. Author’s Note
  74. Acknowledgements
  75. About the Author
  76. An Invitation from the Publisher

“No, no. I merely wish to learn of this sacred text that you said had been sent to you by God Himself. Did you learn the truth from this book?”

Scomric glowered at the monk for a time. His nostrils flared and his chest heaved with his fervour, but at last he calmed himself, righted his chair and sat down once more.

“Indeed, the book held the truth,” he said, still slightly breathless. “The truth of ten heavens and eight hells. The truth of the battle between the darkness and the light. How the Father of Greatness is locked in conflict with Satan, the King of Darkness. All these things and so many more I learnt from the writings of the divine painter, Mani. That most holy Paraclete of the Truth. For long nights I read the pages of that book, over and over, unravelling its mysteries and opening my mind and soul to the truth therein.” He reached across the table and gripped Leofstan’s hand. Leofstan tensed and I could see that he wanted to be free of the madman’s grasp, but he held himself still and met his gaze.

“You would like to read what was inside those pages, wouldn’t you?” asked Scomric.

Leofstan did not reply immediately, no doubt weighing up how his words might reignite Scomric’s rage. At last he nodded.

“Well, you cannot!” yelled Scomric, making us both jump.

“Will you not share the truth then?” asked Leofstan, his voice surprisingly firm in the face of such crazed ire.

“You think I am jealous of the Mani’s writings? That I would keep them for myself?” Scomric shook his head, exasperated with our lack of comprehension of his motives. “But have I not done my best to impart the truth of his teachings throughout this land? The truth is here.” He tapped his temple. “And here.” He slapped his chest. “I would share it with everyone.”

“I would rather read of the truth than be burnt to learn it,” said Leofstan, his voice quiet, measured. My stomach turned. Surely he had gone too far now.

Scomric grew very still and I thought he would launch himself at my mentor for his audacity. But then, he threw his head back and cackled. His laughter echoed about the empty hall. I noticed a movement by the door, and saw with a sensation of dread like the uncoiling of a snake within my stomach, that Chlotar was moving closer, as if summoned by his master by some secret signal. My skin crawled at the sound of Ljósberari’s demented laughter, and again I cast about for any weapon that might help me. I saw none.

“I am sure you would,” Scomric said, when his laughter subsided. “And I would surely let you, if it were not too late.”

“Too late?” Leofstan asked, confused.

“Too late for you to steal The Treasure of Life from me.”