Sorcerer's Legacy Read Online Free PDF Page B

go only to preserve a life that is dear to you, for you saved my life, and the life of Cinndel’s child.” She met the Sorcerer’s intent gaze. “I’ll give you my best effort, and my son for the royal heir. But I cannot promise I will love your Prince. Husband he may be, but only in name. My heart is not available for bargain.”
    “So be it,” said Ielond. “I can ask no more.”
    The Sorcerer’s attitude turned brisk. He unpinned the neck of his cloak and drew forth a heavy gold chain. A filigree pendant dangled from its end, set with a glassy, transparent gem that shone like dew on silver in the dawn light.
    Ielond cupped the ornament in his hand. “This is a mirrowstone. It will react to any living substance that comes into contact with its surface. This one has been set over a strand of Prince Darion’s hair. You will see his current location reflected within, provided no other influence is touching the stone.”
    He extended the gem to Elienne. “Take care when you look. Handle it only by its setting, otherwise you will see nothing but yourself.”
    Elienne accepted the jewel gingerly, the gold a hard, warm weight against her palm. With an eerie sense of foreboding, she gazed within. The mirrowstone’s reflection jolted her like a physical blow.
    Elienne gasped, “Ma’Diere’s mercy!” It took an extreme effort of will not to fling the object away into the snow. Framed by the ornate grace of the setting, she saw a slim, chestnut-haired man; he wore black, unrelieved by device or embroidery. Manacles adorned his wrists. Whatever emotion lay beneath the pale mask of his face was shuttered behind forced control. Hazel and wide-set, the eyes were haunted. And beyond the stiff line of his shoulder stood a hooded executioner with an ax.
    “Do something!” cried Elienne. “They’ll kill him.”
    “That is for you to determine.” Ielond was remorselessly curt. “Now listen, because time is precious. That stone has been interfaced by enchantment. In the locus of Pendaire, it will also act as a means of communication; you have only to touch the stone and speak, and Darion will hear you. Do you understand?”
    Elienne nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
    With steady hands the Sorcerer pulled the chain from Elienne’s fingers and slipped it around her neck. He then summoned his light and carefully joined the end links until no seam remained. When his work was complete, the mirrowstone could be removed only with a file.
    “I am going to splice us into my personal study in Pendaire.” Ielond ran his hand over the chain one last time before letting it fall. “The time will be Summer’s Eve. You will find on my desk a sealed writ presenting you to the Grand Council as candidate for the Prince’s betrothed. My tower is situated in the west wing of the palace. You should have little trouble getting the writ from there to the chamber where the Grand Council will convene by noon the following day.”
    Ielond placed his hand on the small of Elienne’s back and gently pressed her forward. “I will further alter your own Timepath to converge with Pendaire but an hour past the moment your son was conceived. This will give you a full three days for the Council to affirm your candidacy. You must bed the Prince at all costs before the close of the week.”
    Elienne’s expression went wooden. The Sorcerer appeared not to notice. He strode at her side and drew breath to resume his list of instructions.
    Elienne interrupted. “And you will die,” she said bitterly, and followed with a curse.
    Ielond loosed an explosive sigh. “Mistress, it’s inevitable. My life has already passed through Summer‘s Eve on Pendaire. My reemergence there will create an impossible differential between past and present. The same reality cannot exist twice in a single location.”
    The Sorcerer’s brisk manner plainly indicated he wished no more said on the subject. Elienne walked on in mutinous silence as, slowly, the