EXILE'S RETURN by Kate Jacoby

Author:Kate Jacoby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction/Fantasy
ISBN: 0-575-07474-4

Chapter 10

The closer Finnlay got to Dunlorn, the more his stomach twisted around, the more he wanted to turn around and go back. Not just back to the Enclave, but back in time. Way back to a day when Robert was more than he seemed, when men looked up to him—when Finnlay looked up to him. Back to a time when things made sense.

Plague not Robert of Dunlorn to Stand the Circle. His place is elsewhere and he has been forbidden to take any path other than his own .. .

As clear as this crisp winter’s day, Finnlay could remember the moment when Robert had revealed his powers, had discovered Finnlay’s talents. It was just weeks before Selar had come, when Robert was still a prisoner within Dunlorn. But that hadn’t stopped him. Together one night they’d crept out of the castle and travelled across the countryside to the mountains. Robert had risked his life—his liberty—to get Finnlay to the Enclave that first time. Even now he could remember the debates, the arguments that had gone on, the shock that rippled through the Enclave at the discovery that both Douglas brothers were born sorcerers. From that first day, Finnlay knew the truth about Robert’s strength, his potential, and it made him proud.

But then Selar had come. With promises and entreaties and the gods knew what else, Selar had taken Robert and bade him betray his country.

A few years later, when Robert had ridden at the head of Selar’s armies and defeated invaders from the north, Finnlay was again proud. When Robert had finally defied the Guilde, Finnlay had laughed with delight.

A few precious moments over too many years, and in one stroke, Robert had destroyed them all—with a lie.

For almost twenty years Robert had told them all the same thing. Had insisted, urged them to believe: the Key’s message to him was private, personal, and had nothing whatsoever to do with the Enclave.

Finnlay had believed that—why should he not? His brother was not in the habit of lying. At least ... not until now. Yes, he knew now that Robert had lied all along—hadn’t the Key told Finnlay as much?

He pulled his horse off the road and into a muddy field. He paused at the top of a rise and gazed across the moorland. In the distance stood Dunlorn, its ancient grey battlements rising above the heather. The twin hills Room and Borlany flanked the fortress and between them flowed the river Mot. It was a castle built for war, immune to siege and able to withstand any force brought against its walls. Dunlorn had never fallen. Not until now.

So why go back, why follow these people heading towards the castle for the annual festival of Caslemas? Why, when he could still hear those words the Key had whispered to him, should he return to face a brother who had betrayed him—or was it just possible that there was still some hope buried in a heart filled with anger?

More likely it was Patric’s prodding.

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