Taming the Elements: Elwin Escari Chronicles: Volume 1 Read Online Free PDF

did not make these laws. I only uphold them, as my father did and his before him. You know this.”
    Bain snorted. “They are like a weed choking the life out of a fruitful garden. Any weed allowed to grow freely will topple even the greatest plant. Over the last two thousand years, they have made accusations and convictions in a single breath. The sentencing for any crime against the Laws of Power is execution. And now fewer gifted are in the world than ever before with the Awakening upon us.”
    “Nonsense,” Alcoa said. “The Awakening cannot happen until there is born an elementalist that is true. That has not happened yet. You know the prophecy better than any.”
    “Athina gave me a child.” Bain’s smile sent chills down Alcoa’s spine. “The child has a spark of power in him so great that he will rival any who have lived in the past three thousand years. He will be the one to fulfill the first prophecy. We both know that if Athina has a Seeing that it will come to pass.”
    The first prophecy? It couldn’t be. Not yet.
    He started to repeat his thoughts aloud, but instead he shook his head and said, “She is still alive as well?”
    “Jhona, Lana, Zeth. Even Fasuri, Ferious, and Mordeci. All of your old generals have joined me.”
    Bain had to be lying, but there he stood. And he had seen none of the rest since before they set out on that Life-forsaken journey.
    “Finally,” Bain said. “You feel regret for sending me on that cursed mission. Did you really think we would fight the Vampire Legion in their own lands to search for trinkets?”
    “You never fought them?”
    “Of course not,” Bain said. “I parlayed with them and barely escaped with my life. But I knew I could not return here. The night before I left, He came to me and showed me the way.”
    “He?”
    “I knew I could not return.” Bain’s words floated somewhere in his mind, as if this was some bad dream. The fireworks still boomed in the background, mocking his earlier thoughts of peace.
    “I was not bound to Him, but He guided me still.”
    “Enough,” Thirod said. “Do you not see what is happening to you? The Seeker of Souls is more gifted in twisting words than the most renowned orator. He is tricking you into giving him your soul. I can feel the reverence in your voice even as you speak of him.”
    Bain stepped closer. He was just more than an arm’s length away when he spoke. “Shouldn’t we revere those with power?”
    This could not be happening. His thoughts raced. He had to capture Bain and make him see reason. As long as his soul remained free, there would still be hope for him. Pushing thoughts from his mind, Thirod made his decision.
    He opened his essence to Air with the intentions to use its power to hold Bain in place.
    “I wouldn’t do that,” Bain said in a voice that gave Thirod pause. “I did not come to fight you today.”
    “Why then? To declare that you are no longer my subject? You are my friend. If you wish to declare yourself a nation, then I will fully endorse you. I will mark lands for you to—”
    “I came to give you a choice,” Bain said. “You can disband the Guardians of Life and swear your allegiance to me, and I will leave your nation to your rule.”
    Though Bain had not moved against him, Thirod flinched as if slapped.
    Let him rule his nation?
    And the Guardians of Life were more numerous than even his own army, and half of them were in his nation. He could not disband them without a civil war, even if he wanted to. Which he didn’t.
    Alcoa made his voice like steel. “Or?”
    Bain leaned forward and said just louder than a whisper, “I will unleash my armies and my power and tear your nation down around you.”
    Thirod clenched his jaw closed. He had sent his friend and so many others to battle the vampires, who were rumored to have artifacts of power. They were to be the last great victory to bring the known world to a true peace. His actions had been a fool’s arrogance.