(eng) Michael G. Manning - Mageborn 05 by Final Redemption

Author:Final Redemption [Redemption, Final]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30

They reached the end of the tunnel after a few minutes and discovered that the rest of their party had gone only a short distance along the World Road before stopping.

“Why did you stop?” started Penny, but her question was lost in the outcry as the others saw the golem behind her. The World Road was well lit by enchanted lights built into the ceiling and in that light Dorian’s body shimmered, reflecting and gathering the light like a masterfully cut gem.

Everyone seemed to scramble back, seeking to put extra distance between themselves and the odd creature following Penny. She held her hands up to calm them, but her words were lost in the immediate chorus of questions.

“What’s that?” asked Elise Thornbear even as Cyhan moved to position his body between her and Ariadne and the strange new being that had followed Penny. The children were asking rapid fire questions, less from fear than simple curiosity, but one voice cut clearly through the din.

“Penny,” said Ariadne using a sharp voice of command, “I think you should explain this.”

But someone else saw what was in the golem’s hand, and her quick mind immediately made the connection. Rose started forward, grief and tragedy written on her face. “Oh gods! No! Dorian! Oh no!” She held their daughter Carissa in one arm, but she moved to him without hesitation, reaching out to touch the hand that held the remnant of Thorn.

The golem was utterly still, its gem-like eyes locked on the woman before it. Dorian’s hard face seemed expressionless, but he watched her with focused intensity.

“Dorian, can you hear me?” Rose asked in a calmer tone. The panic that had been in her voice a moment before was gone now, replaced by self-imposed control. Rose Thornbear was a woman known for her intelligence and composure. Over the years she had almost never lost what Penny thought of as her most enduring quality, her ‘gentle serenity’. Today was no exception.

“Lady Rose, I think perhaps you should step back,” suggested Cyhan with cold concern.

“Not now, Sir Cyhan,” she rebuked him with a confident air of pure authority, although she never raised her voice. Even the tiny babe in her arms had yet to become aware of the incredible tension that lay beneath her unflappable exterior. “Do you remember me, Dorian?” she continued softly.

The crystalline golem stared silently at her before at last lifting its free hand and tapping its own forehead in a gesture that might represent either confusion or recognition. The question was answered when Dorian’s crude mouth opened and one long mournful word emerged, “Rrrrosssse…”

Everyone in the room had fallen silent, holding their breath as if any noise might destroy that moment. Rose’s voice had an almost indiscernible tremulous sound in it, but the tears that had appeared on her cheeks were the proof of her struggle to contain herself. “That’s right, sweetheart. My name is Rose. Do you remember yours?”

“Thorrnnn…” He held up the broken sword.

“Dad?” asked Gram querulously, stepping out from behind his mother.

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