Elves: Rise of the TaiGethen Read Online Free PDF Page B

will be somewhat uncomfortable but might give you more strength in your legs. It will be that or paralysis.’
    Garan felt cold. Ystormun was nothing if not a man of his word. Still, there was always a chance he could be provoked enough to lash out.
    ‘I look forward to pulling myself along by my arms to see you,’ said Garan.
    ‘Sometimes I think my work to maintain your brain function was wasted,’ said Ystormun. ‘You see so much less than you should.’
    ‘So sure?’ Garan raised a shaking hand and pointed a crooked arthritic finger at Ystormun. ‘I can see you’re fidgeting. You’re nervous, but not of me. I can hear your finger bones clacking together.’
    Ystormun stared at him and Garan saw the exhaustion in his eyes; quite something in orbs always so sunken and black-rimmed.
    ‘That’ll be down to too much interference from your brethren; too much long-distance debate, right?’ said Garan.
    He needed to lie down. Ystormun’s sheer presence was draining enough. But this was one of those rare occasions when the mage lord was clearly uncomfortable about something. Garan was not going to let a mere hundred and seventy years of age get in the way of an attempt to make the skeleton squirm a little.
    Ystormun’s stare intensified. Garan felt the temperature on his face rise.
    ‘Oh dear,’ said Garan. ‘And it didn’t go so well for you, did it? What was it this time?’
    ‘I am not in the habit of talking to you about such matters.’
    ‘Well, I might as well go, then.’
    Garan began to think about pushing himself out of the chair. It was not a prospect he relished. He feared his legs had seized up and his head felt light. Too much thinking did that to him these days.
    ‘Did it ever occur to you that, as the only other man who was here from the start, I might have something useful to add?’ asked Garan, hoping to delay the moment a little further.
    There was a flicker across Ystormun’s features, gone the next blink.
    ‘I admit no weakness,’ he said. ‘Only the ignorance of others.’
    ‘Ah,’ said Garan, satisfied at last. ‘It’s the old “delicate balance” thing again, is it?’
    Ystormun appeared to relax, just by a hair. ‘There are those in Triverne who do not accept the threat still posed by the TaiGethen.’
    ‘Ah. And those sails on the horizon. That’s more muscle, I suppose, to hasten their demise.’
    Ystormun shook his head. ‘Workers.’
    ‘Bullshit.’ Garan found himself experiencing a wholly uncomfortable emotion. Sympathy. ‘This place already works. It is efficient. What’s going on?’
    ‘Politics,’ said Ystormun.
    ‘More bullshit,’ said Garan, sensing an opening like never before. ‘I’m proud of what we achieved here. I hate you for keeping me alive, but at least I can see the fruits of my labour. If you must keep my heart beating, use me, confide in me. After all, what can I do?’
    ‘Other than talk to your pet elf?’
    Garan sank back in his chair. Pains thrashed through his body and tortured his mind. One secret, everyone was allowed one secret.
    ‘You are pouting like a girl,’ said Ystormun. ‘After so long, you surely knew that nothing escapes me here.’
    ‘He leaves no trace,’ said Garan.
    ‘As a warrior, no. But as a mage, his imprint is loud and lingering. What did you just say?’
    ‘You heard.’ Garan pushed himself to his feet, swaying and retching at the pain ricocheting through his body. ‘I’m going. I’m tired.’
    Garan’s head was thumping. He felt violated, exposed.
    ‘Tell your pet to keep his minions in check. They are walking a narrow path and I am all that holds back the tide.’
    ‘You make it sound like you are doing them a favour,’ said Garan.
    ‘Just tell him.’
    ‘No. He has other things he must hear.’
    ‘Don’t push me, Garan.’
    Garan laughed. ‘Or what? Save your threats for someone you can scare.’

Chapter 4
     
    You are wrong to think of it as a sudden change. I suspect they had been