Dragon Venom (Obsidian Chronicles Book 3) by Lawrence Watt-Evans

Author:Lawrence Watt-Evans
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-08-03T02:13:54+00:00

The Lands of Wild Magic

25

The Lands of Wild Magic

Although he regretted any delay in exploring further beyond the bor-Although he regretted any delay in exploring further beyond the border, Arlian rode directly from Tirikindaro to Orange River, back into the Borderlands to collect Isein, Double, and Poke. He had said he would return within a month, so he intended to return.

He had also said he would bring the magician to her homeland, and he thought that Arithei might as well be his next stop—he doubted that the wizards of Shei or Furza would tell him anything significant that he had not already learned from the Blue Mage or the thing in Tirikindaro, while the human magicians of Arithei might provide a different perspective.

As he rode past the orange groves into the village he saw Isein standing by the roadside, talking to one of the natives. He recognized her immediately by her Aritheian attire, its colors so much brighter than the local garb.

"Hello there!" he called.

She and her companion turned at the sound; Isein's eyes widened, and she screamed, clapping her hands to her mouth. The Borderlander started at the sound, and stared at her, obviously astonished by her reaction. He began babbling at her, trying to calm her, as Arlian swung down out of the saddle and ran up.

"Isein!" he called. "Isein, I'm just Arlian!"

"You're..." she gasped. Then she caught herself, took a deep breath, and straightened up.

"You said you were going to Tirikindaro," she said accusingly. "You said you were going to talk to the thing that rules there."

"I did," Arlian said, stopping a pace away from her while the man accompanying her held her arm—Arlian was unsure whether he was comforting her or restraining her.

"But here you are alive! Did they stop you at the border? Couldn't you find it?"

"I found it," Arlian said. "I spoke to it."

"But you're alive—aren't you?" She reached out to touch him, but he was a few inches too far away. He stepped forward and took her hand. "It didn't enslave you, or kill you, o r . . . or transform you?"

"I'm alive," he said, holding her hand reassuringly in both of his.

"Alive, free, and untransformed."

" I t . . . it didn't do anything to you?"

"I amused it," Arlian said wryly. "And we have a common foe. It let me live and go free."

Her astonishment suddenly transformed to anger, and she snatched her hand away. "How could you do that?" she said. "Just leave the three of us here, while you go off to do something insane?"

"I assumed you could take care of yourselves," Arlian replied. "And my life is my own, to risk as I please."

"You are inconsiderate, as well as mad," she said.

"I am a dragonheart," Arlian answered. "A monster, without true human warmth. You have known this for years."

"Ordinarily you do a better job of concealing it," Isein replied, but she spoke more calmly now.

"My apologies," Arlian said. "I was indeed inconsiderate. Nonetheless, it is done now, and

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