Asunder Read Online Free PDF Page B

piqued. An advantage, perhaps, of having a younger woman wearing the holy mantle?
                "We should not allow fear to cloud our reason," the Divine continued. "We must remember all of those who have defended us in the evil times of ages past, who allowed us our prosperity through their sacrifice. We owe them a debt, and yet we have been shamefully forgetful of that fact."
                The Divine paused dramatically, her eyes scanning over the hushed audience. "I speak of mages. The Chant of Light says, 'Magic exists to serve mankind, and not to rule over him.' And so it has been. The mages have served us well, in many wars over many centuries, yet in times of peace how well have we served them? We mean them no harm, yet have we not harmed them even so?"
                "You lie!" The cry rang out from the crowd. For a moment, it seemed as if nobody was sure who had spoken. There was a murmur of shock, and quickly the nobles parted once again as a new man stepped forward. He looked no different than many of the other noble guests, a balding yet distinguished- looking gentleman in a black velvet surcoat. When he tore off his mask, however, it revealed a face twisted by grief and rage.
                "You mean us every harm! It's the Chantry that teaches them to fear us!" he continued. "You keep us under your thumb, reminding us again and again how you let us live only because we're useful !"
                The people on the floor continued to back away, giving the man a wide berth until he stood practically alone with the Divine, Evangeline only a few steps behind. She placed a hand on the hilt of her sword. If this man was a mage as he claimed, that meant he was dangerous. If she drew her blade, or if the guards outside clued in to the disturbance, then the Divine's life could be placed in jeopardy.
                To her credit, the Divine remained calm, raising her hands in supplication to the crowd. "Please, everyone," she called out. "There is no need to be frightened. There are better ways to get an audience, I'll grant you, but I'll happily hear this man speak."
                The audience twittered nervously, not entirely convinced. Neither was the mage. "You'll hear me speak? You've disbanded the College of Enchanters, silenced our leaders! You've done anything but listen to us!"
                "I am listening," she replied, "but order must be kept; surely you realize that. If there is to be peace, it cannot be accomplished through threats and demands. The lives of many more than just the mages are at stake."
                Evangeline watched the mage carefully. The man shouldn't be here. From his words, he belonged to a Circle— perhaps even the White Spire, though she didn't recognize him— but he had clearly escaped his templar watchers to come. She doubted it was merely for a chat.
                He was trembling, seemingly only moments away from breaking down into tears— yet his fists remained tightly clenched at his sides. "We see no peace being accomplished," he spat. "If Kirk wall was any example, it showed us that nothing will be accomplished unless we fight for it."
                With that he raised his hands, and bright red power began to coalesce around them. The chamber filled with an electric charge that tickled the skin, a thrumming that reverberated deep in one's skull. Magic. The dam that had kept the crowd's panic at bay suddenly broke. People screamed in alarm, and some began to rush to the ballroom doors. They pushed down whoever was in their way, trampling them if need be, and the panic gave way to cries of terror.
                Evangeline leapt in front of the Divine. In a flash she drew her sword and brandished it at the man. Their eyes locked: templar and mage, the oldest of enemies. "Stand down," she warned him. "You know what I can do. There is no need for this to end in