The Mirror Sliver by Constance Wallace

Author:Constance Wallace [Wallace, Constance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ravenswood Publishing (Chimera)
Published: 2017-10-05T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“Where did you go?” Adalay asked Idril. She followed him up the trail.

“I walked a little ahead. To see what the path was like. That’s all,” he responded without looking back at her.

Adalay could tell he was lying. Her sense of discernment was never wrong. The boy seemed different this morning. She saw him leave the cave in the first light of day and remembered the expression on his face when he returned. “You appeared disturbed when you came back. I was just concerned.”

“Like I said, I just wanted to see what the trail was like further up. Nothing more.”

Nimi glanced back at her and his expression told her to let the discussion die. They had whispered about the boy’s branding into the night, both huddled together under the furs. Nimi didn’t seem concerned about the event. At least not as much as Adalay.

“We don’t even know what kind of magic the wand contains,” she had said. “Old relics like that can’t be trusted. I know the myths about some of them possessing those who used them. It could make him different, unpredictable.”

Nimi smoothed a curl away from her face, the small act gentle and kind. “You dwell on things that are meant to be. The boy was sent to help us. If the magic hadn’t taken him then, it would have another time. I’m thankful he’s woken the wand. Perhaps our quest will benefit from its use.”

Adalay remained quiet for a moment. “I don’t think he was sent here to help us, Nimi. I feel he has a greater purpose. Something beyond Green Isle. But my powers are weak and I can’t pinpoint what it could be.”

“Your mind needs to rest. Reflecting on so many possibilities is only creating more worry,” he responded.

Adalay nodded. She felt at peace beside Nimi. His presence offered sanctuary from the cruelty of the world and the memories of her past. She had reluctantly complied with his request. But the strange episode with Idril and the wand bothered her. There was a nagging feeling that something was terribly wrong, and she couldn’t shake it.

Noticing that she had fallen behind during her musing, she quickly left the memory of the previous night and caught up to the others. She fell into step behind Idril. Olifur was humming quietly as he followed her tracks in the snow. She glanced back at him. For some reason, the dog had felt it was his duty to be her guardian and protector. It made her smile slightly. “How did you become a healer?” she finally asked, trying to send her thoughts elsewhere.

“It was by accident,” he replied. “And the story would probably bore you.”

“What do you mean? A good story is never boring.”

“All right, then. Here it is. The gift was to be presented to my master from the village wizard. But unfortunately, my master never had much poise. He slipped in mud just as the spell was cast and the ball of energy passed him and hit me square on the nose.

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