Limits of Power Read Online Free PDF Page A

healed her.
    The dark shadows and portents faded, replaced by visions of a crackling fire, Arian’s face, Paksenarrion’s face, and the sound of humming. Humming? He felt his body now, felt the bones within, the blood running through his veins, his heart steadily beating, the air moving in and out of his lungs. The humming seemed to be within and without, and his awareness of himself moved outward through sinew and muscle to his skin. Now he could feel the pressure of hands on his shoulders and a sensation rather like the direct touch of the sun on a spring day.
    â€œThat’s better,” a voice said. Aliam, he thought.
    Kieri opened his eyes. The familiar coverlet, a slice of vision that included Arian’s face. He tried to smile at her and speak. She laid a finger on his lips. The feeling of sunlight went away; he felt a sudden chill on his shoulder, dampness exposed to the air. Quickly, something warm replaced it, almost too hot for comfort. He watched Arian; her gaze shifted to someone above him, someone he could not see without turning over. He had no desire to turn over, though he felt stronger and more awake every moment.
    Finally the humming died away. He felt no pain.
    â€œHelp him rise,” a woman’s voice said. Larchwind, he remembered after a moment. He tried to push himself up; Arian’s arm slid under him, helped, as did Larchwind herself. Larchwind leaned close. “I must see his eyes,” she said; someone brought a candle close. Then she moved back. “His eyes are clear; the kuaknomi poison never reached his center,” she said to the others. Then, to him, “You must drink this infusion tonight and thrice a day for two hands of days. I have already told your servants to burn every garment you and the queen wore in that room. None can hold your weapons, but they must be cleaned again as well, ritually cleaned.”
    Kieri nodded. He took the cup she handed him and drained the bitter brew; his mouth tingled when he had finished. “I feel well,” he said to her. “Need I stay in bed?”
    â€œNo,” she said. “Though as it is after the turn of night, sleep would not harm you. Tomorrow is soon enough to talk about this.”
    â€œThank you,” Kieri said. It was not enough, but all he could think to say. She smiled.
    â€œOne of us will be nearby, and the queen will stay with you. Rest well, king, and rejoice in the morning to come.” With that, she took the cup and turned away. Others in the room—Aliam, Dorrin Verrakai, his Squires including Garris, the steward, the other Kuakkgani—filed out by ones and twos. At last he and Arian were alone.
    â€œThey burned my clothes, too,” she said. “And those of the Squires with you, and Dorrin’s. The touch of iynisin blood, even after death, could carry the taint. I did not know that. We are all to drink the same draft—I’ve already had one cupful—because you and I and Dorrin wore our bloody clothes so long and touched that thing’s blood with bare hands, cleaning our blades.” She yawned. “I am tired, Kieri. Too much happened today.”
    â€œI wonder if it was an iynisin who brought the poison that killed the unborn,” Kieri said. He sat up, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and stood. He felt perfectly steady. He snuffed the candles still burning, all but one. Together they turned down the covers. Arian put off her overrobe and climbed into the bed. Kieri followed. “I don’t think I even told you how glad I was to see you and Dorrin come rushing in, swords out,” he said. “That was a bold stroke. I should perhaps scold you for outpacing your Squires, but on the whole—you saved my life, beloved.”
    â€œI was very scared and very angry,” Arian said.
    â€œThey often go together,” Kieri said. He blew out the last candle. “But at this moment I am neither scared nor angry. Quite the