(eng) M. Gregg Roe - Andoran's Realm 03 by Guild War

Author:Guild War [War, Guild]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

24

‡ Assault ‡

Nearly ten miles to the east of Rohoville, Aliva came to a stop directly above the Diar River. In the distance she could see a small ship under sail coming from the west. The sails had vertical green stripes, a design that she had seen before on trade ships from Zardis. It was probably scheduled to arrive at the Witch’s City around dawn, but that wasn’t going to happen. Lasrina had ordered her to destroy it, even specifying the exact location for the attack, and Aliva had no choice but to obey.

With luck, Stanley would never even notice that she had been gone. A sound sleeper, he had failed to wake as she eased herself out of bed shortly after midnight. She desperately wanted to tell him about her connection to Lasrina, but the goddess had forbidden it. Only Preston, Hagen, and Carlinda knew her secret.

“Why does it have to be destroyed?” asked Aliva. It looked like an unarmed merchant ship to her.

That ship is carrying something both loathsome and dangerous, replied the goddess. It is within my purview to stop it from reaching its intended destination, and that is what we will do.

“But can’t we spare the crew?” begged Aliva. “I could make them abandon the ship.”

You probably could, but the answer is no. Use the card.

Aliva pulled out the magical card and ascended until she was well over a hundred yards above the river. When the ship was almost directly below her, she focused on her target, trying to ignore the crew she could now see on the top deck. She tossed the card in the direction of the ship. The card fluttered briefly in the wind before stabilizing and heading in a straight line toward the ship. It picked up speed rapidly, becoming a blur by the time it struck the base of the main mast.

The effect was instant. A ball of blue-and-white flame expanded rapidly until it nearly reached the river shores. It was so bright that Aliva was forced to close her eyes briefly. She could cast a Fireball spell, but this was something more, far larger and more intense. She struggled to maintain control as she was struck by a blast of superheated air. Her body was resistant to fire, but not her cloak. It began to smolder from the heat, forcing her to ascend even higher. As the flame slowly faded, she searched for signs of the ship, but there was nothing. The roiling surface of the river was actually steaming.

“Are you satisfied?” demanded Aliva, watching as dead fish began to bob to the surface in large numbers.

It was necessary. You will understand in time.

“I want to understand now,” retorted Aliva, crying. “I just killed a dozen people. Maybe more.”

You saved more than that. I promise.

Aliva wanted to argue further, but there was no point. Instead, she started her flight back toward Rohoville. She managed to return to bed without waking Stanley, but she never did get back to sleep.

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