Blade of Hope by S.E. Babin

Author:S.E. Babin [Babin, S.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2024-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

BREAD AND JERKY IS NOT A MEAL

“Why am I here?” Harlow asked after she finished chewing the last of the bread.

Astrid smirked at her as if she sensed her annoyance. “You and I must talk. Danger stalks you, Harlow Stonehand.” Her eyes turned serious as she watched the flickering fire.

Harlow jerked at the name. It felt foreign and strange and yet so very right.

“You must stay on alert. The other bards feel something, too.” Astrid rubbed a hand over her face. “But even we cannot sense what is about to happen.”

“When?”

“We do not know. Your graduation comes soon enough. Then the Virago will be released to the castle. You must beware of the others who’ve left. Their fear of magic may lead them to do evil things in order to curry favor with Queen Raima.”

Harlow’s stomach plummeted. “They’re still alive?”

Astrid’s eyes went dark. “Some of them survive and plot.”

Harlow let out a breath. “We did nothing to them.”

“You did everything to them. You showed them a world where magic lives. You showed them true power.”

“Then why did they run?”

Astrid poked the fire with a stick. “Because they fear you. Because they belong to the group who believes magic should be banished forever.”

“I don’t know how to use it,” Harlow grumbled. “What good am I?”

The bard smiled. “You are as good as you will allow me to make you, Stonehand. I will train you to use your gifts, but you must commit to seeing me three times a week.”

Harlow gaped. “Here? In the woods?” Her mind spun with all the implications. How would she have time to train with the Virago? To sleep? And how would she keep this all a secret?

“This is where I’ve staked my claim for a little while. It’s safe here, protected by magic and concealed from the kingdom. I will show you what it means to be a magician, though I cannot help you with everything. I can show you how to control your magic, to conceal it from others until you are ready to show them. Until you are ready to finish the job your father couldn’t.”

At her words, tears filled Harlow’s eyes. “My father. Was he a good man?”

Astrid’s eyes burned. “He was the very best. Never forget that.”

“But he is dead.”

Astrid looked away. “So they say. The world shook when Stonehand’s power faded.”

“And left me behind to pick up the pieces.” Harlow blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“No one else can,” Astrid said as she rose and brushed off the seat of her pants. “Come. I will walk you back to your dorm.”

Harlow slowly stood. “You sure you don’t have any soup?”

Astrid chuckled. “You’ve eaten all the bread, girl. What good is soup with no bread?”

Harlow sighed and allowed the bard to lead her back to the village.

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