Oathbreaker (Legend of the Gods Book 1) by Aaron Hodges

Author:Aaron Hodges [Hodges, Aaron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780995105669
Publisher: The National Library of New Zealand
Published: 2018-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Alana shivered as she stepped back from the window and slammed the shutters closed. The sky was thick with clouds, the air untouched by the sun’s heat. Inside their room was little better. The ceiling was thick with mould and its only window faced north, allowing in a thin breath of cold whenever the wind blew. There had been no other lodging available though, and it was better than sleeping in the gutters.

Earlier, Kellian had headed out to collect his funds from a local merchant. Devon was organising them a ship for Northland, leaving Alana and her brother to stew in the tiny room with the old priest.

She was sitting now in a chair before the fire, her blue eyes distant. Braidon sat opposite the opposite chair, his knees pulled up to his chest, his face still lined with exhaustion. They had ridden hard through the Lonian foothills yesterday, reaching the city only as the last light was fading from the sky. It had taken all her brother’s strength just to make it up the stairs to their room. Food and a full night’s sleep had done them all good, but it would be days before Braidon was fully recovered.

The room consisted of a fireplace, a wooden table and stools, the two chairs near the fire, and three beds—Devon and Kellian were bunked next door. Taking a stool from the table, Alana dragged it across the moth-eaten carpet and joined the others at the fireplace.

Her brother smiled and held out a plate of chocolate biscuits. Seating herself, Alana took one with a smile.

“Do you think they’ll be back soon?” Braidon asked quietly.

“Patience, young one,” Tillie answered for Alana. “They will be back when they’re done—and not a moment sooner.”

Alana wondered for a moment whether she’d made the wrong decision in trusting the men. At this moment they could be fetching the city watch, or a squadron of Stalkers, while she and her brother sat here in blissful ignorance. Even now the hunters might be closing around them. Shivering, she shook her head to rid herself of the thought, and turned to the priest.

“Tillie, during the storm you told me my brother’s magic could be controlled by…what did you call it, meditation?”

The priest nodded, her eyes dancing. “Of course. Meditation is how Magickers have controlled their power for centuries.”

Alana shared a glance with her brother. “Can you teach him?”

“I could, if he wished to learn,” Tillie replied, turning her eyes to Braidon.

Her brother nodded quickly, his blue eyes alive with excitement. “Yes, please!”

The old woman laughed. “Very well, would you like to start now?”

Braidon nodded. Moving from her chair, Tillie seated herself on the rug before the fire and nodded for Braidon to join her. Then her eyes looked up at Alana. “You may join us if you wish, Alana.”

Alana blinked. “It’s not just for Magickers?”

“Or course not. Anyone can take part—though only with dedication and practice can you truly master the art.”

Alana looked from the priest to her brother and then joined them on the rug.

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