Night of the Knife by Vaughn Heppner

Author:Vaughn Heppner [Heppner, Vaughn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

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Morwen and Iroldo ate a lunch of roasted rabbit and grouse with crunchy tubers dug up from the ground. Each of them sat on a stone around a small fire, which was located under a large pine tree, a border marker between the mountain pine forest and the open area that led to the peaks.

Azul preened himself nearby after having finished off a feast of deer carcass, gratis Morwen and her bow.

The Book of Elder Lore lay open upon a different rock, farther from the fire than either of the Elves.

Morwen had been explaining her need for a saddle and for some manner of bridle and reins to control Azul during flight.

“A bridle wouldn’t work,” Iroldo said.

“I realize that,” Morwen said. “What could work?”

Iroldo looked to the Book of Elder Lore. “Well, Book, what of it? Do you have an answer?”

“Must I come up with everything?” the book asked. “What exactly is my compensation in all this again?”

“The trip itself, for one thing,” Iroldo said. “You’re not stuck on a shelf, but enjoying the life of an adventurer.”

“I am enjoying the trip,” the book admitted. “But I should get something more for all this.”

“You’re building up credit,” Iroldo said.

“Do you think I’m simple?” the book asked. “That means nothing to me. It should be credit toward a specific thing.”

Iroldo and Morwen exchanged glances.

“What specific thing do you have in mind?” Morwen asked.

“Naturally,” the book replied, “I want a shard of Creative Light to replace my stolen piece.”

“Well…” Morwen said.

“And don’t tell me how you think a shard is too dangerous for someone like me,” the book said.

“Shards are dangerous,” Morwen said.

“So is knowledge,” the book said. “I’ve freely given of mine to you. I should get something in return, don’t you agree?”

“What else would you like besides a shard?” Morwen asked.

“A bigger shard,” the book said.

Once more, Morwen and Iroldo exchanged glances.

“Surely a shard can’t be the only thing you want,” Iroldo said.

“What would you think a book would want?” the book asked.

“New binding,” Iroldo said, “or a spiffier cover, perhaps.”

“Don’t be droll,” the book said. “I want to live. That means the power and means to do things. A shard is an ideal step toward that.”

“You’ve said that you desired more knowledge,” Morwen said.

“True,” the book said.

“This is a new experience for each of us,” Morwen said. “I’m sure you’re writing down what you’ve learned so far.”

“Precious little, as it turns out,” the book said.

“You need ink to pen more words?” Iroldo asked hopefully.

“No, no, that wasn’t my meaning at all,” the book said. “It turns out that I’ve learned little. This flute playing, enchanting of a brute beast is old hat. It has been done to death a thousand times with other beasts. The aerial aspect has some interest, but please, the rest isn’t new.”

“We’re attempting to forge a Dragon-killing weapon,” Morwen said.

“Now that is interesting,” the book said. “I want to know details, and then I’d like to know your basic strategy for dealing with your grim enemy.

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