The Naming of Kinzel by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller & Steve Miller

Author:Sharon Lee & Steve Miller & Steve Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: magic, cats, unicorn, sharon lee, steve miller, liaden, pinbeam, kinzel
Publisher: Pinbeam Books

Three: Nightstorm

"Kinzel! Damn it ... damn it Kinzel! Why are you never about when there's need-"

The familiar voice was barely audible. Kinzel sat up on his blanket by the hearth-fire, gulping with fear. Whatever he had done wrong this time, his Master was surely in no humor to be merciful-

"Kinzel. Merely a word if you will."

He saw the thing now, a smoky column of inner-lit orange. A summons from Madog, to be sure. Or, recalling that he was his own wizard now, a communication. Kinzel leaned forward, touching his staff and bringing it across his lap. "Madog, I am here."

"Ah. That is useful," said the slowly tumbling mist. It moved nearer Kinzel and sank to the floor, forming a likeness of Madog as it touched the hardwood. The glow from within persisted.

"Kinzel, my friend, normally I would not trouble a staffed one with such a matter, allowing events to follow themselves as the Clock wills, but I have an interest in this affair beyond the normal-"

Kinzel, bleary from sleep, tried to focus on the roiling image.

"Madog, I am not a riddle-master as you-"

"Patience, Kinzel, patience. The difficulties you have engineered for yourself so quickly amaze me. You do have some time to prepare, and I will aid you, asking aid in return."

"Mas - Madog, please, speak plainly."

"There are others with you. One is strong in the Power."

"He is unschooled."

"As you say. The problem, then, is Fallan, who seeks revenge in quite a bit of anger. It will take him longer to find you than it did me - his apprentice seems to have reported you as something over two yards tall, carrying a golden staff twice your reported stature, that topped with a green diamond as large as a human skull - so a simple template match will not suffice.

"Also, he has much else to occupy his mind, it would seem, and his apprentice is no use to him, having misplaced his own skills and Power under mysterious circumstances this very noon. How did you do that, if I may ask? 'Twas neatly played-"

"Madog!" cried Kinzel in exasperation, "I shall withdraw my consideration if you do not tell the tale in a straight line!"

"To be sure, good Kinzel, to be sure. Fallan is after a balanced revenge. He seeks to harm you. You have severely injured a favorite project of his by removing power from his apprentice. More, since this apprentice was exceptionally strong and very skilled. I thought him to have his staff well before you-"

"More, friend Wizard."

"Ah. Yes. Fallan is organizing a group of such magicians, wizards, and etcetera that owe him favors. He tells them he will strip you of your powers. Frequently in a wizard that causes death, of course, and in any case the group has yet to settle on which of six ways of removing Power will best suit his purpose." Madog sketched out the six ways, all of which required borrowed magic and all of which required a death to bind the spell. A human death.

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