Shadow of the Otherverse (The Last Whisper of the Gods Saga Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to leave as soon as possible for the Yu’Tar Library,” said Alicia. The suddenness of her assertion startled everyone including Sorial. He had known his wife intended to visit the overseas bastion of wizardly knowledge but didn’t expect it to be so soon. She met his surprised expression with impeccable logic. “There’s no avoiding a confrontation with Justin. Sooner or later, we’re going to be forced into it. I don’t know whether the library contains secrets that’ll give us a better chance against him or greater insight into the goal he’s chasing but if there’s a chance, we have to take it. We don’t have the luxury of waiting for ‘a better time.’”
    Sorial didn’t like it. He hated being parted from her, especially over long distances for an extended period of time. But there was no way he could justify accompanying her.  He was needed here to act in his capacity as Vantok’s wizard and his illiteracy meant that he couldn’t help his wife with this quest. She was uniquely qualified to go.
    “I have to speak with you before you leave,” said Myselene, her voice subdued. “I have a… request… to make of you.”
    “I’m your loyal subject, Your Majesty.” There was formality and a little wariness in Alicia’s response. Sorial looked into her eyes and saw a flash of sadness and resignation. She knew what was going to be asked of her and didn’t like it. In their short period in the refugee camp, Alicia and Myselene had spent much time together; they had apparently discussed this, whatever it was.
    “I’ll go tomorrow. I want to spend one more night with my husband before leaving.” There was no mistaking her emphasis on those two words.
    * * *
    King Durth was the perfect picture of a kindly grandfather with his broad, smiling face, snow-white hair, and seemingly cheerful disposition. It was all an act, of course. Durth was shrewd and recognized that the more senile or besotted people thought him to be, the easier it was to get what he wanted from them.  Myselene, however, was onto his act. Years ago, her father had warned her there was no more devious and duplicitous ruler in the human kingdoms than Durth and Myselene kept that in mind in all her dealings with him.
    They met alone in a small chamber, although the queen wasn’t naïve enough to believe their words were between only the two of them. The most privy rooms in every palace typically had several spies listening.
    “So you offer me one wizard where you have two. I thought they were married and came as a package.” The smile on Durth’s lips didn’t reach his cool green eyes.
    “The Lady Alicia is departing to engage in some research on ways we might be better able to stop The Lord of Fire’s advance. She fought in the Battle of Vantok and proved somewhat… ineffectual. The Lord Sorial, however, was able to defeat the enemy’s most powerful magical ally. I offer his services.”
    “Protected by two wizards and an army of about 8000, Vantok fell in less than a day. Explain if you can how things will be different here, with only one wizard and an army less than half the size of the one defending your city?”
    “You have walls. Those will count for a great deal when it comes to defending Basingham.” It was a weak response. The truth was that Myselene didn’t see any way it could be different here.  That had been the crux of her argument with Ambassador Uthgarb when trying to procure military assistance in the days leading up to Justin’s invasion. She had informed the ambassador that if The Lord of Fire wasn’t stopped at Vantok, nothing would prevent him from claiming the entire South.  Her opinion hadn’t changed. If anything, the ease with which Vantok had fallen confirmed that belief.
    “Walls can be brought down. My reports of the Battle of Vantok mention a dragon. I don’t know whether or not to believe that but there have been enough strange things for me not to discount it entirely. And if there is a