Storms and Cinders by Cat Bruno

Author:Cat Bruno [Bruno, Cat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Painted Quill
Published: 2017-10-16T22:00:00+00:00

13

Liu had joined them near the base of Morgain Peak, a mountain that towered over the others and shined white at its tip. The Tiannese mage wore new clothing, including leather boots and a woolen mantle and looked better prepared for the cool, Eirrannian weather. Liang had not come, but he understood why he had been sent for and tasted the soil with each passing hour. When he had first lifted a cupped hand to his mouth, they all had watched with open mouths, yet now they paused when he did and waited on his next move.

As Jarek moved near to Conall, he watched as Liu sifted dirt through his fingers until a pile formed between his hands. From his knees, the mage bent toward the ground and ran his tongue across the mound.

“You know where we are, brother?” Jarek overheard Conall ask.

When Conri glanced toward the mountains, Conall explained, “For generations, the locals have named it Morgain Peak in tribute to a woman we once knew.”

In an instant, the High Lord cried out, “Why did neither of us think of this before? She must be near!”

More calmly than his brother, Conall stated, “It seemed too obvious that he would bring her here. And perhaps he has not, for I can find no tracks or trails, and the air does not smell of ash or flame.”

“He would have known that we would search for him and made certain that no such trail exists,” Conri sneered.

Jarek could stay silent no longer and questioned both men about what is was that they discussed.

“Tell him,” the High Lord ordered.

With his hand extended toward the peak, Conall said, “There was a queen who came before Syrsha, one who portended death and visited men as they lay dying. She was woman, wolf, raven, crone, or nearly anything she chose. Yet a visit from her ended the same for any. But she was more than just a death-bringer. She gifted mortals with the healing arts so that they might delay her coming.”

“No, please,” Jarek gasped, “I can hear no more.”

Conall obliged, but Conri insisted that his brother continue.

“Storm-born,” Conall muttered, “You must listen so that understanding will come. The High Lord could not disobey.”

“Do you think me a fool?” Jarek thundered. “Your Dark God sought another queen much like the one who this mount is named for. And so he found himself a girl with no mage-skill to distract her and sent you to kill her parents. She was of an age to join the Healer’s Academy, and he ordered you to make certain that she reached it. The Unnamed One found himself another healer, but that was only half of what he desired.”

Spitting on the ground to keep his arms from rising in storm, Jarek jeered, “How close am I to the truth, High Lord?”

When the man shrugged, Jarek lunged at him and tackled him to the ground. Conall pulled at his tunic while the others watched.

“You allowed your own daughter to be nothing more than a pawn!” Jarek screamed as he struck Conri’s face with his fist.

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.