Fall of Angels Read Online Free PDF Page B

Analeria in midsummer."
       "That seems little enough. What else?"
       "They are mostly women. Out of a score, only three are men. Their leader is a woman. At least, she is shaped like a woman. And all the women bear what look like weapons, though I cannot be sure."
       "The angels, you think?" asks Jissek.
       Hissl shrugs.
       "Angels? Bah . . tales to frighten children with. That's all."
       "Every wizard who can scree will see these women, and such tales will get passed, especially to those few who follow the black."
       Terek pulls at his smooth chin. "Such tales ... that would not be good. Perhaps someone should travel west."
       Hissl and Jissek exchange glances. Finally, Hissl, the youngest wizard, the only balding one, clears his throat. "Would it be... proper for us to undertake such a mission- given the concerns raised by Lord Nessil of Lornth?"
       "That might work to our advantage," points out Terek. "Lord Nessil would not wish the example of armed women to be made known, especially to the Jerans. Their women ride with the men, and he has had some trouble ..."
       The other two wizards nod.
       "He would appreciate our concern, and he would be most intrigued with women of silver or fiery red hair."
       "These ... angels... might not take to being taken," says Hissl.
       "Have they shown weapons? Thunderbolts, or firebolts such as we can bring?"
       "No," admits the balding wizard. "Not that we have seen used."
       "Then fourscore armsmen should be more than enough."
       "As you wish." Hissl inclines his head.
       "I will recommend, of course, that you accompany His Lordship." Terek smiles. "Since you have discovered the strangers, you should share in the rewards. And one wizard should be more than enough. We would not wish to imply a lack of confidence in the abilities of His Lordship."
       "No... no, indeed," murmurs Jissek, wiping his forehead.
       "You are most kind, High Wizard." Hissl offers a head bow. "Most kind."
     
     
    VII
     
    THE LANDER SHELLS formed a square on the rocky upper slope of the alpine area, adjacent to one of the two small streams that wound through the grass and shrubs, and below the staked-out pattern that Nylan had made. One of the shells contained several body-sized dents, and plastic foam filled a long gouge on the left side. On the uphill side of the shells were several plastic-covered stacks-the disassembled sections of the landers' exterior removable parts.
       The wind whispered in from the north, barely above freezing.
       Nylan and Ryba lay together in the forward part of lander one, sharing the command couch, under the light thermal blanket that was more than warm enough for them.
       Only the faintest light crept in through the short corridor from the hatch, but Nylan had no difficulty seeing. With the silver hair had apparently come some form of enhanced night vision that took in the objects around him in the dimmest of light. He looked at Ryba, short hair tousled, face calm in sleep-not quite relaxed, but he had never seen her completely relaxed.
       Beyond the couch were their clothes . . . and the twin blades Ryba had brought down from the Winterlance and begun to wear. Nylan did not shake his head. She was doubtless correct in assuming that the blades would have to serve as a defense before long and in accustoming herself to their use. What weapon could he use? A blade probably, since Ryba could teach him, although the idea of an edged weapon bothered him. But where would they get blades?
       Though he knew the basics of metallurgy, he'd never tried anything so primitive as smithing, and he had no idea if there were any metallic deposits nearby. Charcoal he could make, if he ever had the time, and he could devise some sort of bellows, but they would be useless without iron or copper. The landers held enough steel alloys, but a primitive smithy would be hard-pressed to reach temperatures high enough to melt or cast