The Hidden Realm: Book 04 - Ennodius by A. Giannetti

Author:A. Giannetti [Giannetti, A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A.Giannetti
Published: 2013-04-14T05:00:00+00:00

A TROUBLING CONVERSATION

Eboria was lying down before the entrance to the tunnel with just her head and front paws protruding into the opening. Her green eyes glowed like lamps in the darkness that filled the passageway as her great head rested on her paws like that of some enormous hound. Now that he saw her up close, Elerian was struck by how lean and spare her frame was, with muscles like tempered steel lying close beneath the surface of her gleaming hide, which was covered with small green scales that gave it a metallic appearance. A faint reddish glow emanated from her body, as if there was a fire burning behind her emerald scales.

As Elerian stared at her, fascinated, Eboria’s luminous eyes seemed to grow and fill the whole tunnel. A subtle command to walk closer for a better look played about the edges of his protection spell, like a restless wind seeking a crack through which it might enter some stoutly built home. Failing to find any weakness in Elerian’s counter spell, Eboria discarded any attempt at subtlety, increasing the power of her command as she sought to break through Elerian’s shield spell, crushing his will to resist.

“Fool,” screamed the cautious part of Elerian’s mind. “You should have listened to Ascilius. She will eat us now!”

Elerian barely heard that voice. The capricious, sometimes rash part of his nature had propelled him into the passageway. Now, he must deal with the consequences of his actions.

“I must stand fast,” he thought with iron determination, as the pressure against his counter spell grew and grew until it seemed that some enormous weight pressed down on his body, which began to tremble from the strain of resisting Eboria’s attack. Just when he felt that his strength was almost gone and that he must give in, the assault on his shield spell ended, so suddenly that he almost fell.

With steely resolve, Elerian held himself erect. “Give no sign of weakness, or she will renew her attack,” he cautioned himself.

Seeing that brute strength had failed to overcome Elerian, Eboria now turned to subtler methods.

“You have unexpected strength within you,” she said in an admiring voice. “Beneath your illusion spell, I see the form of an Eirian, but I sense that you also have the power to change your shape. Become like me and stay by my side. Serve me, and in return, I will bestow on you gifts of power, wealth, and knowledge beyond your wildest dreams. You can take whatever you wish like a conqueror instead of begging for scraps at the table of kings like a vagabond.”

An image was suddenly born in Elerian’s mind. One moment, he was an invincible, shining gray dragon flying through the skies, the next moment he was in his natural form with Anthea by his side and countless men and women bowing down before him in homage.

“You can have us both,” Eboria said in a low, seductive voice. “Come to me and receive my gifts. Even Torquatus will fear you then.

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