The Sword's Elegy: the Sorcerer's Song Series, Book 3 by Brian D. Anderson

Author:Brian D. Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group

15

YOU CAN RUN

I once believed that dark magic was not real. That it was the Thaumas wielding it who determined the goodness or foulness of magic. I was wrong. With some magic, there exists no use other than to cause pain and suffering. All that can be done is to hope that an equal measure of good manifests to oppose it.

Journal of Lady Loria Camdon

Mariyah sipped her wine, enjoying the light and lively atmosphere of the inn as the flautist played a jaunty little tune with a danceable tempo, though it was a bit early yet for dancing and the patrons were still attending their drinks and making themselves comfortable.

Loria was seated at the bar, speaking to a rather handsome older man who’d insisted on buying her a drink. It was good to see her smile at a man’s attention, which fed her vanity.

Mariyah recalled thinking it was a character flaw—that Loria’s need for attention was a sign of insecurity. But now, seeing her place a demure hand over her chest as she received yet another compliment, Mariyah realized she was wrong. It was a salve, nothing more. An escape from the ugliness around her. An ugliness she often felt a part of.

Loria touched the man’s shoulder and excused herself. His eyes followed her as she sauntered to the table, not forgetting to cast him a playful smile over her shoulder as she took a seat.

“A new playmate?” Mariyah asked teasingly.

“Perhaps,” she said. “He’s a local potter. Strong hands.”

“Well, he’s good looking enough,” Mariyah said. “Hard to believe he’s not married at his age.”

“Oh, that would be all right. I’m not in that sort of mood tonight.”

Mariyah grinned. “If you were, his wife might be grateful for it. Who could say?” They laughed together.

A slender young woman with short cropped black hair and a deep olive complexion approached their table and gave them a slight bow. Behind her stood another younger girl with a sheepish bearing, light complexion, and long chestnut hair.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” the older girl said. “Are you Mariyah and Loria?”

Mariyah returned the bow with a smile. “We are.”

“And who might you be?” Loria inquired, the haughty tone of the Iron Lady manifesting in an instant.

“I’m Karlia,” she answered. “And this is Valine. We’re friends of Lem … from the Bard’s College.”

Mariyah gestured for them to sit and waved the serving boy over for more wine. “Is Lem all right?”

“Better than all right,” Karlia said. “He has sent word that you and Loria can return the day after tomorrow.”

Mariyah beamed. “So he succeeded?”

“He did. The Bard Master only wishes for you to wait one more day for them to sort out everything they found.”

Mariyah cocked her head. “I can’t be there for that?”

Karlia spread her hands. “That’s all I know.”

“If I may,” Valine interjected. “I think Master Feriel wants Lem to herself for as long as possible.”

“Valine!” Karlia snapped.

“It’s true,” the girl insisted. “Everyone knows Lem can use bard magic. She’s hoping he can show her.”

“Forgive my young friend,” Karlia said, her eyes shooting daggers.

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