Keepers of the Flame Read Online Free PDF Page B

Impossible.
    Another
whicker came and Bri looked to the horse that had propped her up. Slowly it
opened wings at its sides, spread them—huge feathery things.
    Ohmygod , Bri said.
    Ohmygod , Elizabeth
said.
    “Ohmygod,”
she and Elizabeth said together.
    “You’re
not in Colorado anymore,” Alexa said.

4
    E lizabeth was
holding onto sanity as if it was the unraveling edge of a ratty blanket. Too
much strangeness. Everything—the people, the humid air, the sky showing too
many stars, and most especially the winged horses.
    One
was still rubbing against Bri in mutual admiration.
    Sevair
Masif, the man who’d come from Castleton, was ensuring the care and comfort of
his people with efficient orders to soldiers and servants. The knot of the more
ostentatiously dressed people—including two of the three Coloradan
women—attracted his attention. He gave one last order and joined them, crossing
his arms and raising his chin.
    “We
agreed that should the Summoning of the medica be successful and if she
fulfilled our great and desperate need, she would stay here at the Castle
tonight. The ladies are tired. Why are they not being led to their quarters?”
The soft translation came to Elizabeth’s ear and she turned her head to see
Calli smiling at her.
    Calli
lifted a shoulder, sighed. “They argue. Sevair’s a good man, just obsessed with
frinks.”
    “Frinks?”
Elizabeth asked.
    “Metallic
worms that come with the rain. The dark sends them, too.”
    Elizabeth
wished she hadn’t asked.
    “One
of your tasks will be to smooth the way between the City and Town segment of
society and the rest.”
    Elizabeth
shook her head, looked at Calli, then at Bri who was examining one of the
horse’s wings. She seemed familiar with the animals, at least was probably
familiar with wingless ones. Another change. Somewhere, sometime Bri had
learned about horses. No doubt she’d traveled where a horse was still
considered a necessity. Elizabeth gestured to the horse and Bri. “Why aren’t
you supervising?”
    “You’re
sharp,” said Calli. “Remembered that I’m the one who was Summoned for the
volarans and Chevaliers.” She followed Elizabeth’s gaze. “I can see auras, you
know.”
    “No.”
If she denied all this it might go away
    “Yes.
Most folks here depend upon their ears and their Power to hear Songs. I hear
the Songs, but auras are easier for me. Thunder is a curious volaran, and it’s
difficult to ignore the fact that the horses have wings. Not something you’d
see on Earth. Thunder is giving your twin sister some energy.” Calli narrowed
her eyes. “Some of that is passing into you.” Nibbling on her lip, Calli
continued. “It takes a while to become used to Lladrana. We, the other
Exotiques and I, hoped to make your transition easier. It didn’t seem to work.”
    Elizabeth
raised her eyebrows. “With sixteen people in the throes of sickness needing
medical help?”
    Calli
winced. “I suppose that would have been the equivalent of me riding most of the
Castle volarans.” She met Elizabeth’s gaze steadily. “I’d apologize, but I’m
not sorry. The townspeople are desperate. None of the medicas in Lladrana have
found a cure for this new disease and people are dying.” Calli squinted at Bri,
then back at Elizabeth. “You and your twin had a basic similar layer of green
in your auras when you came but different upper layers. That’s interesting. But
the bond between you two when you arrived wasn’t nearly as strong as it is
now.”
    Elizabeth
didn’t want to hear any of this.
    A
man dressed in such an understated and tailored style of leathers that
proclaimed him wealthy joined them. He bowed, then looked expectantly at Calli.
    “This
is Faucon Creusse, a nobleman and Chevalier.”
    “Chevalier?”
    “Knight,
like I said.”
    Faucon
said something, and Calli translated. “An impressive display of Power by the
new Exotiques, as usual.”
    Before
Elizabeth could answer, the discussion between