Dusk Falling (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

framing a heart-shaped face. Her small mouth always held a pinched set, perhaps do to a hard life before gaining her freedom. Both average in height and in size, Kcrie wore an unremarkable shroud of dark chestnut. She always kept her cloak clasped tightly to her but sometimes a snatch of blue-gray and white satin trim could be seen underneath. Small pointed feet stuck out from beneath the long engulfing material.
    Her watery eyes took in the surrounding area, taking stock of everything she saw. Saying nothing, she took a place beside Agemeer, folding her legs neatly to her side.
    Silence reigned for a time as the team relaxed with their individual thoughts. Agemeer rested his head on his paws, holding the Asrai’s flask close to him. Sleepily, his eyes drooped as he watched the flames flicker and dance. Across from the gray Wulf, shadows took interesting forms behind Serrtin and he was content in watching them caper and play. It reminded him of a story he once read in an old tome he had purchased from a city vendor near his once-home. He promised himself that he’d tell Aya about it. Later sometime.
    Aya too was watching the shadows form though not for the sake of story-making. She was pondering her skills, her shortcomings that were brought to a poignant head during their last mission and the shadows were the holes left unfulfilled as a mage. If Serrtin was wrong and the Chase they were now attempting truly deserved the title Triple Sign, was she really good enough to confront him? Serrtin had been injured albeit only lightly due to her lack of mastery over the element of fire. What if she were to fail again at a more critical moment and against someone much more powerful? The team would need a mage’s powers and she was the only mage among them.What if she could not be relied upon to do what was needed? Sure, they had conquered a few powerful foes before but… What if, this time, she failed and her failure resulted in the serious injury of one of her friends. Or worse?
    It was a miserable thought that occasionally reared in the back of her mind, a circle of self-doubt that plagued her late at night in her darkest dreams. Aya hated the way those thoughts made her feel. She tried to accept them as part of life even though Serrtin was in the category of alive and never doubted anything she did even if it was clearly wrong.
    Agemeer’s gentle wisdom came back to her, “Everyone made to live in this world has these feelings from time to time- from the smallest Sprite to the strongest Inubian. Even me despite my many years. But we can learn to let our fears go, accept them for what they truly are so that they’ll no longer be a deterrent. Then the burden will free itself from our thoughts. Acknowledge what the doubts are trying to tell you and always trust in yourself. And in the friends that stand with you. We won’t let you fall too hard and we’ll always be there to lend you a hand when you are ready to stand once more. Do not forget that.”
    Aya stared out into the woods around them. Starlight touched the leaves. She knew Agemeer was right, he was always right in that order. She just hoped she could be as wise as he, someday. Her talent as a mage never failed her before though power over flame would vex and try her. And she decided she wouldn’t fail it. She had to be strong. Her friends and allies needed her to be. So did her family.
    “You would like to do a reading of the direction you are taking.” The Asrai stated without question.
    Serrtin, who have been leaning back against one of the trees legs crossed and arms tucked behind her hand, sat forward eagerly. “He was last seen south of the Freelands.”
    “I will see the visage of this person. Then I will tell you where he lies.” The warrant was passed to Kcrie’s chill hands. All eyes were on the Asrai as she stared down at the face on the paper, sleep forgotten. Minutes passed. And more, until a full five minutes had gone by and she finally blank,