The Straits of Galahesh by Bradley Beaulieu

Author:Bradley Beaulieu [Bradley Beaulieu]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Fantasy, Epic, Science Fiction & Fantasy
ISBN: 1597803499
Amazon: B00BQMMLJE
Publisher: Quillings Literary
Published: 2012-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Atiana waits in the dark, willing Ishkyna to hurry. Her awareness is drawn outward until it encompass the Shattering, where her body—along with Ishkyna and Ushai—lies in an ancient and abandoned stone pool. Other than the streltsi who guard the building, there are very few Baressans brave enough to live in the Shattering, but even they stay along the edges, afraid to step too far into the cursed lands.

Atiana’s awareness expands even further, until she’s pulled toward the straits. It is difficult to remain near the Shattering, but it is important that she do so to guide Ishkyna and prevent her from losing herself, and so it is with a growing sense of unease over the strength of the swirling aether around the straits that she strengthens her footing until she can remain close. About Ushai she is not as worried; while she is young in her craft, she has managed the dark here in Baressa before.

At last Ishkyna’s presence comes to her, tentative and scared. It is so unlike her sister that Atiana nearly loses control. That one moment of weakness is all it takes. The weight of the city presses in, and it is all she can do to control it. As she restores her tentative balance, her senses become more attuned, and she realizes there is one place in particular that presses her the most.

The tower.

Sariya’s tower.

The fear within her grows, and her balance is once again thrown off. Like a hulled ship taking on water, she begins to list, leaving her vulnerable to the growing strength of the waves.

Soon the tower is the one thing she can focus on. The only thing. She is being drawn toward it. This is Sariya’s doing—a trap set for the unwise, the unskilled in the dark—and yet knowing this does her no good. She is powerless to prevent it.

But then she feels Ishkyna’s touch, feels her guiding hand. She feels Ushai’s as well. Even though she cannot pull her attention away from the pure white of the tower against the blackened landscape of the aether, her awareness begins to expand.

Like a drowning woman, she clings to the lessons of her mother. She strengthens her bonds with the other two. Together—especially as close as they are to one another in the physical world—they are able to do so quickly. She can already tell that Ushai is unskilled in this, but not so unskilled as Atiana might have guessed. She has come far.

This is ... difficult, she hears Ishkyna say.

Atiana expected a biting response from her, an admonishment over her lack of control, but instead here is Ishkyna, humbled.

You become used to it, but the influence of the straits is stronger today, so take care.

I can feel the tower even now, Ishkyna says.

Da. She is there, waiting for us.

The fear within Ishkyna and Ushai grows. Atiana can feel it like a glowing brand moving closer to her skin.

Do not worry, Atiana says. We are prepared.

Before they begin, Atiana reaches out to the south, toward Vostroma.

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