The Longsword Chronicles: Book 04 - Sticks and Stones by GJ Kelly

Author:GJ Kelly [Kelly, GJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-12-31T06:00:00+00:00

She was still laying on her left side and facing him when he woke through force of habit before dawn, though her eyes were closed and her face serene and beautiful in sleep. Gawain simply lay there for a minute or two, watching her sleeping in the dim glow of the lamps, and then, as quietly as he could, he rose, picked up the longsword and his boots, and crept from the dais.

Allazar was dozing at the long table, his head slumped forward, chin on his chest, breathing deeply and softly, his arms wrapped around his staff and a notebook open in front of him. Gawain peered at the page the wizard had been working on, the writing clear and stark upon the page in the light from a lamp placed just beyond the edge of the book. Flagellweed of Tansee; Type of plant, spiked leaves at the base, long stem at the centre upon which is a bulbous head similar to a large thistle. From this head will lash a long whip-like barbed cord a distance of some four feet should a person or animal approach within its range. Poison in barbs is fatal to small animals, excruciating to larger animals or people. Decapitation renders Flagellweed harmless until the head grows back. Ordinary fire destroys the plant but bursts its spore-pods, resulting in the rapid growth of many more plants. Used in order to deny territory, short-lived. Best cremated with white fire.

Allazar had made a brief sketch of the foul creation, and Gawain marvelled at it. It hadn’t occurred to him that dark wizards could or would manufacture vile plants as well as the grotesque creatures they had encountered thus far. With a shudder in the chill of the morning, Gawain stepped quietly away from the sleeping wizard, and headed for the facilities to wash and don his boots.

It was only when Gawain had donned his arrowsilk cloak by the coat-pegs near the doors that Allazar woke with a start, and rubbed his eyes. A slight nod served as a greeting, and the wizard rose quietly from the chair to fill two beakers with cold spice wine. Not until they were both standing on the deck outside the hall, the doors closed behind them, did they speak, and then they did so softly, keenly aware of the two elves standing watch, one each side of the entrance.

“The day looks to be another dull one, Longsword.”

“Yes, damp too by the feel of it. We’ll make a tour of the camp after breakfast, hopefully it won’t take too long.”

“Do you have other plans for the day that I should be aware of?”

“There are a number of things I’d like to do, sooner rather than later. Mostly though I’m not keen on the prospect of dragging my lady through the mud outside the walls. Not all enemies are dark. For as much as she doesn’t want me surrounding myself with strangers beyond her sight, I don’t want to surround her with them either.

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