Stirling, S. M. - The Rose Sea by Stirling S. M

Author:Stirling, S. M. [Stirling, S. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2007-07-23T19:13:13+00:00

CHAPTER XI

"Don't you have t' feed the flames?" Karah asked Solmin. "How do they burn without wood or oil?"

The priest crouched over the brazier, drawing imaginary lines above the flames with a finger. "The magic feeds them. Each flame draws a bit of energy from the magician who sends it."

The two of them crouched by the brazier a few moments longer, and the priest shook his head. "I fear these many flames. We are the focus for evil intent, and I cannot understand the meaning of the crossing of these magic trails. Darkist aims evil at us—but if I read the flames aright, Willek too has cursed this ship. Jawain weaves some protections around us, as does the stranger from Derkin. And the three greater flames indicate conflict on a grand scale, with this ship as the prize."

Karah wrapped her arms rightly around herself, shivering. Magic frightened her. She stared at those colored lights, burning steadily; tiny fires that indicated the wills and workings of people over whom she had no control—and most of whom seemed intent on working ill against her.

Without warning, the flames flattened out and streamed sideways as if a strong breeze blew them—though Karah felt no wind in the forecastle, and the hatch which led to the deck remained closed.

"Oh!" the priest whispered.

Karah didn't like the way he said that.

The ship began to sway and rock, but it steadied after a moment and sailed smoothly again. Karah felt as if she were trapped in one of her nightmares—as if the walking dead on the deck above, and the howling storm, and the creaking, battered ship were all file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/S.%20M.%20Stirling%20and%20Holly%20Lisle%20-%20The%20Rose%20Sea.html (202 of 402)23-7-2007 21:13:24

Stirling, SM and Lisle, Holly - The Rose Sea (v1.0) (html).html elements of a horrid dream that would vanish at sunrise. She wished wholeheartedly that were so.

The air above the brazier crackled and snapped, and abruptly all the magical fires save one went out That one grew, grew from a tiny flame to a conflagration that threw off golden light without heat.

"Darkist," the priest whispered, and threw a handful of powder into the flame, and muttered a fervent prayer.

The flame flickered out—and in the same instant, the waves caught up the Sea Mare in their furious grasp and threw her forward, sideways, backward in a sudden, violent game of catch. Karah fell, skidded into wounded comrades, then flew in a tangle of bodies against the bulkhead next to the hatch. The ship bucked again, and she found herself hurtling into the starboard hull. She lay in a heap on the decking, ribs aching. She could feel blood running down the back of her throat, and she was pretty sure she'd broken her nose. Someone's knee jammed into her belly, someone else's elbow into her jaw. One of her eyes was swollen shut, and her left leg twisted agonizingly underneath her.

The ship groaned, and the hull shuddered. And then it was still.

First Captain Morkaarin staggered into the forecastle and shouted above the roar of the storm, "We've run aground!"

The ship's captain burst in behind him.

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