Legend 4 - Free Falling Read Online Free PDF Page A

He didn’t believe it was a healthy thing to do. He always taught me that black magic demanded a price. He said it was addictive.
    But I didn’t think I had a choice. Sooner or later, Gais would come after me with black magic. He knew he needed it to defeat a Daoine—even a half-human Daoine. I would need the black art to shield myself when he came.
    I’d never, ever dreamed a time like this would come. I was just an ‘almost’ ordinary girl, living an ‘almost’ ordinary life—out with friends, studying, dancing …
    Now I was in the middle of a war. I didn’t ask for it, but I damn well meant to be a part of it, because it would bring me that much closer to putting Gais into the earth in pieces!
    Now I had to take up another mantle, a gift of training from my dad. I was the Druid priestess of our household, and all I did from the moment I woke until I put my head down was renew what my dad trained me to be.
    I had one other advantage to wiggle in front of Gais when he finally came after me. I was honing my Daoine powers—which were considerable. Daoine magic was immeasurable …
    Daoine magic was greater than any magic Gaiscioch could conjure up. The only trouble was, I hadn’t ever really bothered with my Daoine powers in the past. I was rusty, so to speak, and unfamiliar with the ‘how-to’ of certain important magic spells … or shall we call them ‘steps’?
    I was in the midst of pondering this problem the other day when Nuad, the Fae Chief Tracker, came to visit me.
    Nuad is an ageless being of great statue and gladiator power. He had survived the horrors of a devastating ancient war on Danu, and then here again on earth, and was wiser, stronger, and full with purpose because of it. These things took on a life in his demeanor. He stood tall and muscular. His long hair was nearly white with flashes of gold, and he wore it unfettered and free-flowing at his shoulders. His eyes flashed fiercely with his mindset, and those eyes were full with glitter that was dark and unreadable.
    He wore slung across his naked torso his magic javelin (the Gae Bolga). No other could wield it, as it was bonded to only him. However, as he approached me, he looked, in spite of his might, dejected and baleful.
    I was still angry with him. I blamed him for bringing my father into this mess with Gaiscioch. I blamed everything on everyone.
    He knew of course. He hung his head and said on a low hiss, “I know, Z … I too blame myself.” He paused and then in a full voice said, “Child of Daoine, I deserve your contempt, but I must explain that I could not know that your father would try and trap Gaiscioch without first calling on me.”
    “Why did you give him the ‘death weapon’ then? Why, Nuad?” I was in his face and nearly foaming at the mouth. Thinking back now, I am sorry for it. I had always liked Nuad. He had been a dear friend to my father. They’d enjoyed one another’s company, and this was not really Nuad’s fault. There was only one person I needed to blame, and we know who that was …
    “It was never meant for him,” Nuad thundered. “The death weapon was meant for you! ”
    “What?” I was momentarily diverted.
    “Why would I give it to your father? Why ? How could he hope to use it? Your dear father, my dear friend, was the best and the bravest of the humans I have encountered. He was like a brother to me. I knew your father could not see the Fae through our invisibility or even through our Glamour. I knew that. He promised me he would give the Danu sword to you ! He was supposed to train you in its use … teach you about the Dark Fae …” He shook his head. “I never expected him to go the dolmens without me. I never thought …” Again deep sorrow halted his words.
    I touched Nuad’s arm. “He did start to train me in its use, but then he always put it away …” I sighed heavily and perhaps was still too hard on him when I asked, “Why didn’t you give him the gift of sight?