A Soul for Chaos by Crista McHugh

Author:Crista McHugh [McHugh, Crista]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 9781479236817
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2012-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The sun had descended behind the pinnacle of the mountain they climbed, bathing the road in long shadows. Despite the high altitude, the air was balmy and filled with the sweet scent of flowers rather than the icy snow that capped the surrounding peaks. Here, it was as though spring had moved in and refused to budge.

A series of terrace and towers climbed up towards a structure that seemed to erupt from the very mountainside. “Is that the Conclave?” Arden asked.

Dev nodded. “We’ll be safely inside its walls before nightfall.”

A flap of wings sounded above her, and the same Ornathian from yesterday circled overhead like a vulture. After a few passes, it flew to one of the towers and disappeared through the window. Somehow, she didn’t feel like the Conclave was completely safe with those creatures roaming around it.

“Are the Ornathians allowed in here?”

“A few are in residence, learning about our magic.” Dev pointed to the tower she’d seen the winged creature fly into. “They usually stay there.”

“Then I’ll stay away from it.”

Dev laughed. “Terrified of something that’s different from you?”

“You’re the one who warned me not to cross them.” Embarrassment prickled along her spine. “Are you changing your story?”

“No. They can be dangerous when crossed, but from my experience, they are no different than anyone else. They just want to live in peace.”

“You said they’re here to learn magic?” she asked, wanting to change the subject from how dangerous these strange creatures could be. If she could see they were like the others in the Conclave, maybe she’d be less intimidated by them.

“The Mage’s Conclave is more than just a safe place. It is a school for magic, where all mages in the Empire come to be trained by the best. The Mage’s Council also resides here and oversees judgment for any abuse of magic.”

“Do you think they know who was behind the attacks?”

“Perhaps.”

The weathered grey wooden doors creaked open as they approached, pulled by an unseen hand. Inside the walls, the air crackled with magic, reviving her while also setting her nerves on edge. If magic fed the land of Gravaria, then this was its source.

A rotund man with only a fringe of hair circling his otherwise bald head came out to greet them. “Dev,” he said, vigorously shaking his hand before pulling him into a hug, “so good to see you again.”

Dev bowed politely once the man released him. “It is good to see you, too, Mage Secundus.”

Arden slid from her horse and waited for Dev to introduce her. But he never had a chance.

The Mage Secundus pushed past her protector and grasped her hand. “And this must be the new Soulbearer. It looks like Loku did a right bit better with this one. Much easier on the eyes.”

His compliment brought a smile to her face and set her at ease. “Yes, I suppose I look a bit better than Robb.”

“You’re lovely, my dear.” He moved between her and Dev, his arms around both of their waists, and ushered them into the main building with Cinder bouncing among them like a young pup.

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