Stormed Fortress Read Online Free PDF Page B

the trial, though the swallow he took seized his breath like a fist in the guts. The bitter taste of strange herbs made his eyes water, while the bite of alcohol kindled a bonfire inside, wringing his body to sweat and rushed pulse.
    The old one nodded, apparently appeased by his effort to honour her customs. She opened without need to ask for his name, or inquire what purpose had brought him. ' Your kinsman who lay under threat of the shadow that consumes the spirit is dead. '
    ' Raiett? ' gasped Sulfin Evend. ' Lysaer ' s appointed Lord Governor of Etarra? He can ' t be! ' The shock left him stunned, that the crone ' s uncanny faculties might read even the branching ties of his blood-line. ' I wished to petition your people for knowledge! Beg a stay of protection, that my uncle might be permitted the chance of salvation. '
    ' Done! ' said the old woman. ' The cult you knew as Grey Kralovir has been sundered. Already, the one you name Raven has passed from this world, cut free from the ties of black craftmarks. Your need was released on the hour his remains were consumed, cleansed of all taint by white mage-fire. '
    She moved. Paper dry as the scald of sun on baked rock, her crabbed finger tapped his moist forehead. ' You need not plead for our help, town-born man! Nor do you owe any debt to Biedar. Not for your kinsman, departed. '
    Rattled by the uncivilized drink, or perhaps by the jab of her censure, Sulfin Evend wrestled the scatter of his wheeling, irrational thoughts. For in fact, the dire peril to his uncle had been the lesser of two threats that brought him. ' I bore a flint knife, made by your ancestry, that your warriors reclaimed at the time I made landfall. '
    Unblinking, the crone nodded. "The knife you brought back here has always carried but one written Name on its destiny. '
    Sulfin Evend gathered his courage. Then I ask leave to plead for your favour. '
    The old woman strummed a hand through her necklet of bone, jangling its strings of carved fetishes. If not encouragement, the gesture suggested he had her due leave to explain himself.
    ' I once gave my word to a Fellowship Sorcerer to return the knife ' s legacy to your keeping. This, I have done. The boon I would ask of your grace is to loan me the talisman for additional protection. I make the appeal on behalf of my liege. Lysaer s ' Ilessid lies entrapped under a vile curse by the Mistwraith. Could you grant a stay to defend him when the madness saps his right mind? As the prince ' s sworn man, pledged to safeguard his virtue, I speak the truth. The Alliance behind him is built on false cause. I petition your people for assistance. Don ' t leave me stripped of all recourse as my liege loses ground to the blood-lust imposed by Desh-thiere. '
    The crone laced her seamed fingers. ' Your obligation not being ours, you shall meet the one whose true gift has arranged for your uncle ' s deliverance. '
    Sulfin Evend bristled. ' Did you hear nothing? Lysaer ' s misguided policy seeks to cleanse every trace of initiate knowledge from the five kingdoms. Backed by the fanatical, armed might of the towns, this self-righteous crusade may yet come to threaten the ancient roots of your heritage. '
    ' Refuse? ' snapped the crone, not one whit inclined to reverse her lofty dismissal. ' A fool ' s errand, truly! Do you realize whose Name you spurn to know? His hand is the same, that will wield our ancestor ' s knife! Through him, the Kralovir ' s vile works have just been undone for all time. Ahead, if his strength stays the course of his fate, he bears the very flame of your hope. '
    Frowning, his throat left seared raw from her wretched decoction, Sulfin Evend forced the stark inquiry. ' You claim that this man has brought Lysaer ' s salvation? '
    ' Past, and perhaps for the future. ' The crone bent her head, deferent. ' Alone on Athera, he is the key to secure your liege ' s deliverance from jeopardy! '
    Sulfin Evend lost his breath. Rocked dizzy, he ventured, ' Whose