The Origin of Storms--The Lotus Kingdoms, Book Three by Elizabeth Bear

Author:Elizabeth Bear
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

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Mrithuri watched from the height of Hathi’s back as her vanguard plunged forward. The Sarathai troops were stretched thin, their line half as deep as the enemy’s. They would have to fight like demons to hold long enough for Himadra’s cavalry to arrive. Her forces were less than half the usuper’s.

You’re one to talk, she thought, remembering a certain forgery. Sarcastically, she reminded herself, It’s different when we do it.

“We’re doing a great job of preventing conflict,” Mrithuri said. “It looks like we’re doing the beast’s work for it. Damn everything!”

Nizhvashiti seemed as insensible as if it had finally died for good. It floated beside Mrithuri and did not speak, and took no action.

Tsering-la grunted. His eyes were raised, his hands folded in his lap as he concentrated on the sphere of protection around them. Akhimah stood on the arch of Hathi’s back, her boots stripped off, her stockinged feet spread for balance. She peered through Tsering-la’s veil of yellow light, panting with exertion as columns of crackling power erupted from the earth among the enemy again, and again, and again.

Mrithuri fancied she could see the Wizard’s skin growing tauter across the bones of her face with every use of power. And yet, the flanks of the Sarathai army had begun to bend back under the onslaught of Sekira’s men. Units rushed to reinforce—she saw banners moving, surging through the sea of fighters—but it would not be enough, and they could not leave the center vulnerable.

Where was Himadra? Where was the Gage?

As if it were returning from a great distance, Nizhvashiti whispered, “Of course. I think I see.”

“See what?” The energy of hope surged from Mrithuri’s breast, sizzled along her limbs.

But the Godmade did not answer. Instead, it began to rise, floating amidst a fluttering of bleached-black robes. It sailed up like a leaf on the wind, passing through the protective globe of light as if it were no more than the rays of the sun.

“How on earth did they do that?” asked Sayeh. “And where are they going?”

Mrithuri had no answer.

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