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- Lorie O'Clare [Dead World 02] Shara's Challenge [pdf]
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- Koryta Michael Lincoln Perry 02 Hymn Smutku
- Byrne Evie Faustin Brothers 02 Bound by Blood
- Kurtz, Katherine Knights Templar 02 Temple and the Crown
- Jennifer Estep Elemental Assassin 02 Web of Lies
- Jacqueline Lichtenberg [Lifewave 02] City of a Million Legends
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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
In Tir-na-Nog?
Here, here!
Tod shook his head to clear the buzzing between his ears. He knew the name Béfind& no one who had
ever lived in Tir-na-Nog did not. She was one of the highest of High Fane, cousin to Queen Titania
herself& and she would have few reasons to visit the world of men.
Yet she was here, and he did not for a moment consider ignoring her summons. He was only a hob, and
he knew his place. But as he followed the sprites through the wood and over hill and meadow, he
wondered what possible purpose such a high lady could have in demanding his presence.
The sprites led him to a lake and skimmed like darting insects across the water, aiming for a small, open
building with a triangular roof supported by fluted columns. Under the roof, reclining in a thickly
cushioned chair, was a lady whose silver gown matched her hair and cool, piercing eyes. The sprites
gathered in a circle around the chair and assumed the shape of lovely young women, their dresses every
shade of green and yellow.
Tod alighted on the marble floor and bowed, his hair falling across his face. My lady Béfind, he
whispered. Tod is at your service.
Rise and look upon me, little hob.
Tod lifted his head and met the lady s gaze. She was beautiful, as of course she must be; the smile that
curved her lips was faintly mocking and did not reach her eyes.
No doubt you wonder why I have come to earth, and why I have summoned you, she said, her musical
voice soft and beguiling.
Tod bowed again. It must be that my lady has business with my master, he said.
Béfind leaned forward, catching Tod s eye. I have never met the son of Hern. How often has he come
to visit his kin in Tir-na-Nog?
Not since& since he was a child, my lady.
Since his father was banished from the Land of the Young.
Tod swallowed, suddenly uneasy. Aye, my lady.
Béfind leaned back again, tapping one silver nail against her lip. Do you find it incredible that my
business on earth might be with you? She laughed at his silence. Let me lay your curiosity to rest. It is
neither you nor your master who brings me here, but you may be of great service to me, little hob. I
believe we have a mutual interest.
Tod avoided her gaze and the power that coursed behind it. I do not understand, my lady.
She signaled to one of her sprites, who produced a goblet of wine. How many Fane walk the soil of the
place humans call Edgecott? she asked.
For a long moment Tod did not understand her, and then, with a start, he began to see a possibility he
had previously failed to consider. His pulse quickened.
There are three, my lady, he said slowly.
You, Donal son of Hern, and& She sipped her wine. I believe they call her Ivy.
Aye.
A child taken from the streets of the Iron City by your master, she said, and brought here to be
educated in the ways of human society by the woman Cordelia Hardcastle.
My lady is well informed.
I have excellent agents, she said, waving her hand at the sprites. They are very good listeners. And
they have been watching Donal since he left the north. As they have also been watching you. She sighed.
Do not be so downcast, little hob. It is not entirely your fault that you failed to detect my servants. You
have lived in the mortal world for more than a thousand human years. Even the sharpest Fane senses
must suffer from constant exposure to such an abyss of Iron and death.
A chill raced up Tod s spine. My lady, he said thickly, my lady has some interest in the girl?
Béfind drained her cup and tossed it into the air. It vanished before it struck the ground. I have come to
right a great injustice, she said. Her lip curled in a scowl, and a flurry of waves rose on the lake.
Perhaps you wonder how a child of the Fane should have come to be abandoned to the mortal realm,
and why only now her people have bestirred themselves to find her? The waves on the lake slapped the
shore with increasing violence. I came to this realm nearly forty earth years ago, seeking a human lover
who would give me a halfling child. I was told the babe died at birth, but it was delivered to a human
woman to raise as her own. Only now has this treachery been revealed.
Tod shrank away from her rage. He had thought little of Ivy s strange past, but to know she was Béfind s
daughter& He closed his eyes, thanking the gods for their favor.
My lady will take her back to Tir-na-Nog, he said.
Yes. Her anger dissolved like dew beneath the warm summer sun. And that is where I shall require
your assistance.
My lady?
She smoothed the skirt of her gown. You wish to be rid of the girl, do you not?
Tod chose his words with great care. I bear my lady s daughter no ill will
You seek to avert my anger by lying, little hob, but it is not necessary. As I said, my servants have been
watching you and your master. You fear that Ivy will enchant your master, and that she will come
between him and you. Is that not so?
Tod sank into a deep crouch. My lady&
You and the son of Hern have been together for many years. Without him, you are alone in this world.
She bent and lifted his chin with her fingertips. You wish Ivy gone, and I wish her restored to her rightful
heritage. Our desires are complementary. The only thing that prevents us from achieving our aims is the
amulet she wears. You have seen it?
Tod knows she wears such an ornament. It is bespelled?
It prevents any Fane from touching her, or even revealing that she herself is of Fane blood. Béfind s
face darkened. He shall not win this game. He She broke off and smiled at Tod, showing her perfect
white teeth. Surely your master has had some physical contact with my daughter.
Aye, my lady, Tod said, remembering the embrace he had witnessed at the big house. Perhaps he is
not bound by the amulet s magic, since his mother is mortal.
Perhaps. She stroked the locks of silver hair tumbling over her shoulder. Tell me, little hob. Can your
master be trusted with the information I have given you? Would he assist us in restoring my daughter to
Tir-na-Nog?
Tod s mouth was so dry he could scarcely speak. My master does not know that Ivy is Fane.
But if he did know?
He remembers how Queen Titania cursed and exiled his father.
So he still bears a grudge.
Aye. And he believes that my lady s daughter will find happiness with the Hardcastle.
Béfind frowned and stared out across the lake. He has lived too long in the mortal world. I will not trust
him. You shall do this work alone. Her gaze fixed on Tod. My daughter has also been poisoned by her
upbringing among humans. Though she cannot be told of her true nature directly, she can be prepared for
the time when the power of the amulet is overcome. She must be told of the wonders of Tir-na-Nog and
of the Fane, so that she will have no fear of leaving this earth behind. That is your task. You must become
her friend, one she trusts implicitly.
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