Jundag by Chris A. Jackson & Anne L. McMillen-Jackson

Author:Chris A. Jackson & Anne L. McMillen-Jackson [Jackson, Chris A. & McMillen-Jackson, Anne L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Jaxbooks
Published: 2011-10-09T04:00:00+00:00

“Dear Gods of Light, what’s happening?” Feldspar asked breathlessly as he rushed through Braelen’s study and into the sick room. Despite his years, he had raced here faster than the young messenger who had been sent to fetch him from the library. Braelen convulsed on the bed while the other members of the Royal Retinue attempted to still his thrashing limbs.

"He’s failing!" Kenrah gasped. Across from her, Voncellia held the oldster’s other arm while trying to chant a spell of calming, which seemed to be having no effect.

"Why don’t you do something?" Feldspar snapped at the high priestess of Demia, who stood off to the side. He was met by a bowed head and a shrug.

“There is nothing to do.”

"I...cannot—" Crellington began, struggling to hold the ancient wizard's legs. Then, as quickly as they had started, the spasms stopped.

"NO!" cried Voncellia as their friend went limp. His rheumy old eyes stared off into space, as if peering into one of those faraway planes in which he took such delight during his life.

"It is over," the high priestess sighed, extending her arms over Braelen’s body and bowing her head in prayer. "He has gone to the Keeper of the Slain."

Kenrah’s sobs wracked her body as she bent her head over the old master's hand. Feldspar thought to go to her, but he had no comfort to give. He felt empty, as if Braelen had snatched up his own spirit as his left this world. Feldspar had watched many men die in battle, but none had affected him like this. Braelen had not been just a peer and a mentor, but a close friend, and Feldspar didn’t have many of those.

And now I have one less, he thought helplessly.

Kenrah’s gasp caught his attention. Even as she held the old man's hand, the flesh became insubstantial. The skin dried and crumbled, the fingers disintegrating into a powder as fine as talc. Indeed, his whole body crumpled as the uncounted years finally took their toll on the flesh that had been held together by magic for who knew how long. Finally, only a thin layer of powdery residue was left among the crumpled nightclothes and blankets. Master Braelen was truly gone.

"I will inform Master Belregash," the high priestess wearily.

“Why are you even here?” snapped Feldspar. “You couldn’t help, so why not leave this to your underlings?”

The priestess turned a sharp eye on Feldspar, but her voice remained soft. “You were not the only ones to esteem Master Braelen.”

Feldspar immediately regretted his anger; he might not have an abundance of friends, but Braelen had many.

Wordlessly, she motioned for them to leave the chamber, and for her acolytes to prepare for the ceremony of passing over. The mages shuffled out and down the hall to the Royal Retinue’s study to stare at the empty chair where Braelen would never sit again.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.