The Ancient One by T. A. Barron

Author:T. A. Barron [Barron, T. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101651339
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

18

the tale of the broken touchstone

BENEATH the flickering light from the torches, the assembled Tinnanis drew nearer, embracing their rulers in a wide semicircle. Their eyes, plus all other eyes except Jody’s, fell to the feathered creature seated on the crystalline throne. Her gaze, like Jody’s, remained on Kate.

The Chieftess stretched herself upward, pressing her plumage close to her body, so that she seemed nearly as tall as her throne. At length, she lowered the scepter. In a deep, gentle voice, she began to speak:

“The walking stick in your possession is indeed a stick of power. And it is old, very old indeed. Its memory stretches far beyond my own, beyond the Chieftain’s, beyond that of any living being save the Stonehags, into an earlier time when our world felt not the heat of the Wicked One’s breath. Like its makers the Tinnanis, it can render its holder or someone nearby completely invisible.” She paused. “I can see by your expression you already know of this power.”

Kate, recalling the chase through the muddy streets of Blade, nodded.

“It was given other powers as well,” she continued, “many of them long forgotten. It is named the Stick of Fire, and it is said that it will burst into flames when so commanded by its rightful owner. That is not a command to be used lightly, however, for it will destroy the stick and all its powers. Carved on its handle is the likeness of the great-great-grandfather of my husband, the Chieftain Solosing de Notnot. It was he who caused the Stick of Fire to be made and these words to be carved into its shaft:

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