Forest Kingdom Trilogy 2 - Blood and Honor

corridor, Taggert wiped sweat from her face with a shaking hand, and looked at Doyle.
    'Anything else I need to know, Matt?'
    'I've sent for another Sanctuary. Mother Donna's on her way. She's supposed to be the best, but Davey wasn't exactly a beginner and he couldn't even slow it down.'
    'We're going to have to stop it here,' said Taggert. 'While it's still limited to one area.'
    'Sure,' growled Cord, 'but how are we going to stop it? You can't fight this kind of Unreal with swords and axes. Can you?'
    'I don't know,' said Taggert. 'I think we're going to have to go in there and see for ourselves.'
    'I had a horrible suspicion you were going to say that,' said Doyle, 'and I would like to point out before we go any further that I am not volunteering to go back in there with you.'
    'This breakthrough must have a heart,' said Taggert, ignoring him, 'some gateway to act as its entry point into Reality. If we
    can find that and destroy it, maybe we can still stem the tide. Assuming we survive long enough to reach it, of course.'
    'Of course,' said Doyle. 'I'm still not volunteering.'
    'Good man,' said Taggert. 'I knew I could depend on you. As soon as Mother Donna gets here, we can make a start.'
    'Then what are we waiting for?' said Mother Donna. 'Let's do it.'
    Everyone looked round, startled. It never ceased to amaze Taggert how silently the Reverend Mother could move when she chose to. Taggert started to say something polite in welcome, but stopped as she took in the Sanctuary's face. There were harsh, tired lines around her eyes that hadn't been there a few days ago. Taggert put a gentle hand on Mother Donna's arm.
    'I'm sorry about Davey. From what I hear, he died bravely, doing his duty.'
    'He always did have more guts than sense,' said Donna. 'He thought being a Sanctuary was enough to protect him from anything. Stubborn as a mule, and half as bright. But he always had time to listen to a hard-luck story, and he was the softest touch for a loan I ever knew. I'm going to miss him. God grant he rest easy. Well then, Kate - looks like it's left to us to push back the darkness. Are you ready?'
    Taggert nodded, smiling. Like all Sanctuaries, Mother Donna carried with her an aura of peace and calm, but Donna also had more genuine love and caring in her than any three other people. She was a medium-height, broad-based woman, who gave an immediate impression of strength and determination.
    There was something of the bulldog about her, though only the cruel ever applied that insight to her face.
    She was plain, as she'd be the first to admit, but her wise eyes and ready smile kept her from being ugly.
    She was in her early fifties, and looked it. She spent her early years as a priest, before coming to Castle Midnight to train as a Sanctuary. She'd never said why she made the change. She wore plain, sacklike
    robes, and hacked Ikt grey hair carelessly off at shoulder length. All in all, she looked more like a retired mercenary than an ex-priest. Mother Donna was perhaps the most powerful Sanctuary Castle Midnight had ever known. She was loved and admired by practically everyone even though most of them thought she was crazy, if only because she'd given over her entire life to fighting evil, and had a tendency to walk right through anyone who got in the way.
    'I'm ready,' said Taggert. She could feel her fears and worries easing away in the Sanctuary's presence.
    It was clear the guards were feeling it too. 'Damon, you'll have to guard us from any physical manifestations. I've got a feeling I'm going to need as much power as I can raise to deal with the Unreal heart. As and when we find it. Mother Donna should be able to hold the worst off until we get there.
    Doyle, I know this will break your heart, but you can't come with us. I need you here, in charge of the barricade. If we don't come back, send word to Court of what's happened, and get the hell out of here.
    After that ... I think the best bet would be for the Regent to order a complete evacuation of the Castle, and look for help outside Redhart. Though where you might find it is beyond me. Maybe the High Warlock, if he's still alive.'
    Doyle bit his lips. 'You can't go in there without an armed backup, Kate. Cord's good, we've all seen him work, but he's just one man. I think I'll tag along, with a few good men. Just in case.'
    Taggert smiled warmly at him. 'Thanks, Matt, but no. Like Damon said, this isn't the kind of Unreal you can fight with swords and axes. You