Skirmish: A House War Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

all are capable of forming such a weapon with will and power alone, but half, now. Half of my students.”

    “Meralonne—”

    He lifted a hand. “Give me but a few moments more, Sigurne. A few. Can you not feel it?”

    “I have already said—”

    “Yes. You have. Let me ask you a different question, one closer to your own heart. You have misgivings about my work with your mages. You have always had those misgivings.”

    She stiffened.

    “When you saw the weapons—and I admit the bow surprised me; I think it unique, in all of mortal history—you were afraid.”

    She did not trouble herself to deny it. With Meralonne, there was no point. He understood her well enough to know how fear drove her; it was not a weakness he—or any man—could exploit.

    “Why, then, did you not withdraw those mages from my service? Why did you allow me to expand their number?”

    It was Sigurne who looked away. She had no candle to mark time, although she had the moons, and she watched them, their distant silver faces so much like his eyes.

    “What did he tell of you the ancient days?”

    “Only that men had fallen far from the height of their power.”

    He did not believe her, which was fair; she was lying. But she could. “The Terafin is dead.”

    His gaze sharpened.

    “You had not heard?”

    “I am in service to the Kings’ armies in the South, as you well know.”

    “Yet you are here.”

    “Your summons was urgent. How did she die?”

    “
Kialli
.”

    “
Kialli
here, as well?”

    It was the answer that she had dreaded, although it was also the one she’d expected. “How large are their forces in the Dominion?”

    “They have already moved openly within the Terrean of Mancorvo; they have shed the pretense of humanity at least there.”

    “They own those lands?”

    “Ah, no. But it was closely run. The kin failed there, and I believe that we will see the whole of their forces gathered, at last, in Averda. There are events that are troubling, even to me. I would not have said that they could coordinate an attack within Averalaan while they concentrated upon the Southern War.”

    “And what does it mean? What do you fear?”

    “The Shining Court,” he said softly.

    She raised a hand, and he fell silent. “What of her new companions, APhaniel?”

    “You speak of Jewel ATerafin?”

    She nodded.

    What he said next surprised her. “She has now walked roads that youwill never walk; she has seen things that have not been seen since the gods themselves ruled the world. Three at least of her companions have seen what she has seen; you must draw your own conclusions from that. You could speak with her,” he added.

    “You know why I cannot. At best, I could speak with Gabriel ATerafin; should I request an audience with Jewel, it would merely accentuate her power in a House divided. She will no doubt already be in danger; she will no doubt be heavily observed. She is seer-born; she has value. Are her companions a danger to us?”

    “Only inasmuch as Jewel is. While she lives, I think they will not be of concern to you—but I cannot guarantee it.”

    “And you are now so well acquainted with Jewel Markess ATerafin that she has taken to confiding in you?”

    At that, he chuckled, and she exhaled slowly in relief. “Ah, no. But you can feel the winds of Winter when she speaks; you can almost touch the turning of the seasons when she glances at you. You can see shadows of the Winter Court in its glory when she walks, Sigurne.”

    “Faded glory, then. She seems mortal, to my eye.”

    “She is, and you are now being deliberately provocative. I have traveled all this way at some personal expenditure of power.”

    “And you weather it…well, APhaniel.”

    “You did not answer my question.”

    “No, nor you, mine.”

    He bowed. “Then let me show kindness, in my own fashion. The end of days is coming, Sigurne, inexorable as dawn, dusk, or nightfall. The winds change, the Cities of Man