The Stiehl Assassin (The Fall of Shannara) by Terry Brooks

Author:Terry Brooks [Brooks, Terry]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2019-05-27T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

—

Tarsha watched the dark shade’s approach with trepidation. Drisker was a Druid and a big man physically, but the shade was bigger still. It crossed atop the surface of the lake before coming to a halt, and Tarsha felt grateful she had Drisker standing between them. When the shade pulled back its hood to reveal its face, Tarsha could see the immediate startle in the Druid’s posture.

“Allanon,” he whispered in shock.

Which was odd, since she had been assuming all along that it was Allanon to whom he had spoken earlier, and Allanon whom he had called back now. But she dismissed the matter as the shade began to speak in a deep, rough voice that seemed to promise retribution for countless wrongs.

–You might have been expecting someone else, but she is not coming. When I discovered she had broken through the Forbidding into the netherworld, I sent her back again and blocked her from further intrusions. She does not belong here. She has no right to use our pathways–

“And her warnings of what was needed to help the Four Lands? Was that all a lie?” Drisker demanded.

Again, Tarsha found herself surprised by the challenging way in which the Druid responded.

–Her warnings were real and her advice well considered. She has talents as a seer, ones not evident during her time in the Four Lands. Perhaps she developed them while imprisoned in the Forbidding–

Tarsha was further confused. The Forbidding?

“Then why are you here at all?” Drisker asked. “Have you further advice to offer? Have you insights to share before my company and I undertake our separate journeys?”

The shade considered, dark features tightening as if some ill thought had crossed his mind.

–What you have been told is all you need to know. You have chosen the right paths for you and your companions, and for the company that travels to Skaarsland. It is through these efforts that you will succeed or fail in your endeavors. No other avenues are open to you. But know this. Some avenues you seek to travel are already closed. Some others, old and new, will reveal themselves in ways you will not care to discover. Still, all those who dwell within the Four Lands face such vagaries and vicissitudes while they are alive. You are no different–

“Then tell me of these avenues. Show me what I might need to know, even if I cannot change it.”

I would never ask that, Tarsha thought. Not after what happened with Parlindru.

But Drisker seemed to think it necessary. He did not change his stance or offer to retract it but simply stood waiting for the shade of Allanon to respond.

–You would do well not to ask such favors, Drisker Arc. To know the future is too painful. For it only shows you how little of your life is under your control–

“I would know anyway. It might give me some small measure of insight I will need later.”

–Such insights will come too late to be of use. Nor do I have all that many.

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