Prophecy's Deception by AS Hamilton

Author:AS Hamilton [Hamilton, AS]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AS Hamilton
Published: 2017-12-06T22:00:00+00:00

It was not the first time Linuk had encountered an elvan in service to the Abbaranes. Many of them were held hostage in some manner or other, and that deserved consideration. Yet the Dai-tur mage was just as prepared as her Ko-renti opponent to deliver a fatal strike to achieve her goal. It was not ideal, no, but it was the reality of war. Whatever logic brought Nisari and Colnba into league with Abbarane was never something Linuk could imagine as being worth the cost. Yet the bonded pair and their supporters could not avoid the consequences of their actions.

And she was one of those consequences.

She knew as soon as she felt Ko-rayen draw in the energy that he was shape-changing. Most Ko-rentis would not let their emotions drive them and, thus, would not be goaded into such a move, but Ko-rayen was young, and the twins had not yet completed their training when the war began. Ko-rayen was a formidable fighter. In competition, only his twin, Ko-kelle-rai, could best him. None could wield a sword like Ko-rayen, even sword-masters found themselves impressed. So the trick was to get him to use his talent. And, while she was doing that, why not the most taxing talent? The one that would drain him faster than he would estimate and leave him vulnerable.

She had to give him credit for progressing his training far enough to actually shape-change; most mages never achieved it. To be utterly truthful, Linuk was pushing her own limits using shape-change. A risky tactic, but as the unearthly smoky-black glow emanated from Ko-rayen, she knew it was about to pay off.

Sinking her talons deep into Ko-rayen's shoulders she prepared to revert to her elvan self and call her staff back to her so she could strike him. Then something unexpected happened. Instead of the pain distracting the younger mage, it seemed to bring him to his senses and Linuk found herself reeling as Ko-rayen re-directed the energy for shape-change and, instead of turning into a black fire dragon, sent mage-lightning, full-force, into her. Fortunately, she was in her meernur form else the strike would have mortally wounded her.

Dissolving into her elvan self, Linuk called her staff to her and brought it about in time to deflect Ko-rayen's charge. His cursed short staff broke several of her ribs, his momentum bringing them nose-to-nose on the ground. Red irises shot through with gold flecks met her gaze, his pupils had shrunk to narrow slits. She felt his breath against her lips, saw his sharp canines snap together as the air was forced out between them. She had forgotten the memory until now, Ko-rayen and Ko-kelle-rai dogging her heels that whole season. She had agreed to do the talks as a part of a knowledge exchange program and the presence of a Dai-tur mage at the Debanikay academy had attracted a lot of attention. The Ko-renti brothers had reminded her of may-en-ghi cubs; not quite confident enough to get too close, but curious enough to trail her at a safe distance.

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