Anthony, Piers - Apprentice 01 - Split Infinity by Anthony Piers

Author:Anthony, Piers
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER 11 Oracle

By the time they reached the Oracle, two days later, Stile had pretty well worked out the situation. He

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A B B YY.c could do magic of Adept quality, provided he followed its rules. He had sworn off it, and he would not

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violate that pledge. But that didn't change what he was: an Adept That could explain why another Adept

was trying to kill him; that other was aware of Stile's potential, and didn't want the competition. The Adepts, it seemed, were quite jealous of their prerogatives-as were the members of most oligarchies or holders of power.

So how should he proceed? Swearing off magic would not protect him from a jealous Adept, who would resent Stile's mere potential. But if it were only a single Adept who was after him. Stile might try to locate that one and deal with him. Nonmagically? That could be dangerous! So-he would ask the Oracle for advice. Why not?

The Oracle lived in a palace. Manicured lawns and hedges surrounded it, and decorative fountains watered its gardens. It was open; anyone could enter, including animals. In this world, animals had much the same stature as human beings; that was one of the things Stile liked about it. In this palace and its grounds, as he understood it, no magic was permitted, other than that of the Oracle itself, and no person could be molested or coerced.

"No disrespect intended," Stile said. "But this doesn't seem like much. It's beautiful in appearance and concept, but..."

Neysa left the saddle at the entrance and guided him to a small, plain room in the back. From its rear wall projected a simple speaking tube.

Stile studied the tube. "This is it? The Oracle?" he asked dubiously. "No ceremony, no fanfare, no balls of flame? No bureaucracy? I can just walk up and ask it anything?"

Neysa nodded.

Stile, feeling let down, addressed the tube. "Oracle, what is my best course of action?"

"Know thyself," the tube replied.

"That isn't clear. Could you elucidate?" But the tube was unresponsive.

Neysa nudged him gently away. "You mean I only get one question?" Stile asked, chagrined.

It was so. As with a spell, the Oracle could be invoked only once by any individual. But it had not been Neysa's purpose to have all his questions answered here; she had brought him to this place only for his safety.

Stile, frustrated, left Neysa and went outside. She did not try to restrain him, aware that he had been disappointed. He proceeded to the first fountain he saw. A wolf sat on the far side, probably not tame, but it would not attack him here. Stile removed his shirt, leaned over the pool, and splashed the cold water on his face. So he was safe; so what? His curiosity was unsatisfied. Was he to remain indefinitely in this world without understanding it?

"Thou, too?"

Stile looked up, startled, blinking the droplets from his vision. There was a young man across the fountain. He had shaggy reddish hair and a dark cast of feature, with eyes that fairly gleamed beneath heavy brows.

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