James Clemens 2 Witch Storm

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Where sunlight met crystal ice, thousands of tiny rainbows burst forth. The
entire glade transformed for one long hushed breath into a sweet dream a
forest of ice and rainbows.
It s so beautiful, Nee lahn said with wonder thick in her voice. As if
woodsong itself were given substance and form.
Elena tore her eyes from the brilliant wood. Here numbing beauty hid so
sweetly the death and destruction at its heart. Hot tears flowed across her
chilled cheeks. Death should never be this radiant.
What s wrong? Er ril asked. Are you injured? Studying her hand, Elena
shook her head. Even where the dagger had sliced her thumb, no wound now
seeped. It had healed without even a shade of a scar.
Her right hand, though, had not escaped completely unscathed. As the magick
had bled out from her wound, the stain had drained from her skin. Instead of
the usual deep ruby whorls, her palm now was
only slightly reddened, as if she had suffered a bad sunburn. The ruining of
the wood had cost almost all her magickal reserve, leaving only a small trace
of her power. She raised her hand to show Er ril. I m fine. But I only have a
bit of magick left.
The plainsman stared, then nodded. No need to worry. We should be able to
clear the wood from here.
You can always renew once you re completely drained.
Why must I wait until all the magick is gone before I can renew? she asked,
lowering her hand.
Wouldn t it be safer to keep my reserve full at all times?
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Now you re thinking like a true mage, he snorted, the lines of worry
momentarily easing. My brother
Shorkan used to voice the same complaint. Many mages in his time tried to
discover ways to renew before their magick was fully spent. They all failed.
It just doesn t work that way.
Then maybe I should spend the last dregs of my power. Empty my reserve and
renew now. It seemed the most prudent course, but the thought of again
opening her magick trembled her heart.
No. Do not even harbor that thought. Er ril s face darkened with concern,
his voice tight. Magick is a gift not to be squandered lightly. It should
only be used with true purpose. Leave it be. Er ril kicked his horse forward
and waved for the others to follow. Now let s go.
Elena, though, urged Mist to keep abreast of the plainsman s steed. But why?
What difference does it make? Can t I use my power in whatever way I want?
Er ril did not look at her. There s danger in that path, Elena. Lax and
frivolous use of magicks during my time led to the corruption of many a mage s
spirit.
He continued down the trail in silence, his eyes staring somewhere far from
the frozen forest as they entered the dead hollow. Elena thought the
conversation had ended and began to turn away, but Er ril started speaking
again, his voice thin and strained. Soon those mages grew drunk with their
powers. It twisted many of them. From this corruption, the Brotherhood of the
Darkmages arose. He turned to stare at her, his gaze intense. Be warned.
More than just the danger of death is risked by the wanton use of your wild
magicks it can also blacken and pervert your spirit.
Elena sensed the truth in his words. She had felt the seductive call of her
magicks and knew deep within her that a corner of her spirit already sang to
the raw wildness of her power. A shiver passed through her. How long until
that part of her spirit grew? With trembling fingers, Elena slipped her
deerskin glove back over her right hand and resolved that she would only use
her magick when no other path lay open.
Even then, she would think twice.
Er ril mumbled something under his breath.
JAMES V^LEMtNS _
What was that? she asked as she cinched her glove on tight, unsure if the
plainsman had been addressing her.
After a long pause, he raised wounded eyes toward her. You need a better
teacher, he said. I m not learned enough to instruct you in the finer
workings of your art and in the tools of safeguarding your spirit.
This untutored use of your magicks risks so much.
For the first time, Elena saw the depth of pain behind his stony features and
realized she was not the only one who suffered when she used her powers. I&
I ll manage. You ve taught me well. She smiled crookedly at him. Besides,
what choice do we have? You re
all I ve got.
Her words softened his pained expression. Still& you must proceed with
caution.
I will, Elena promised.
Meric and Nee lahn trotted their horses up to them. Meric leaned far in his
saddle, one fist gripping his saddle s horn to keep him upright. His words
were coarse with fatigue. The fire s path has almost reached the forest s
edge. We ve wasted too much time. We must hurry before the Horde retakes the
burned corridor we ve forged.
Go on ahead then, Er ril said. Nee lahn, stay close to Meric and help him.
Er ril swung around in his saddle and called to the wagon that crept slowly
behind them through the iced bower. Mogweed, lean on the whip. We must run
the horses if we are to outpace the spiders.
Elena saw the shape-shifter s pale face clench with fear, but Mogweed nodded.
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With a crack of a whip, the wagon bucked forward. The sudden start tumbled two
figures from the rear of the wagon. It was
Tol chuk and the wolf Fardale. They had jumped from the rig and now ran
alongside it. Elena was amazed the huge og re could move with such speed.
Er ril seemed more angry than impressed. No, no, stay in the wagon, he
yelled. We can t slow to keep abreast of you on foot.
Tol chuk answered, his voice calm and steady as he loped beside the large
wheel of the wagon. Less burdened, the horses can pull faster. And we og re
be quick of foot at least for a short way. I can race as far as the forest s [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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