The Arcanist Read Online Free PDF Page A

got into trouble in the first place was that they didn't understand what was meant by her temple. Tyrel was a hamadryad. She would not live in a structure like a cathedral or a church. She lived out in the open under the blue sky and the stars. So her temple was actually a vast tree lined field that lead to her inner sanctum; the small island shrine that was her home.
     
    “This looks quite pleasant.”
     
    Edouard cringed a little as he heard his brother beside him. Trust Marcus to say something so completely foolish, Edouard thought. He really didn't understand. To be fair though no one without magic would. And technically he was right. It did look like a very lovely part of the country. They were travelling through a beautiful green meadow of long grass filled with wild flowers bounded on both sides by tall trees. At the far end of it, so far into the distance that somehow even being many hundreds of paces wide the vista became a giant green road, it led straight to the most holy of places. The ancient stone shrine dedicated to the hamadryad set on a small island of green in the centre of a small lake.
     
    Tyrel's realm was very beautiful. She liked it that way. But beauty was one thing and safety was something else entirely, and for a mortal man this was probably one of the most dangerous places in the world. Especially for a sinful one. And his brother was one of the most sinful ever to walk the world. Or at least in Tyrel's eyes he would be.
     
    Marcus didn't seem to understand that. He'd even refused to dress properly for the meeting, something that Edouard couldn't understand. Though it was probably pointless when facing a power, Edouard had still chosen to wear his best attire. A crisp white shirt with ruffled sleeves over neatly pressed trousers together with a waistcoat and formal jacket. Most important of all he'd left his weapons behind. But Marcus refused to do any such thing. He lived as a soldier and like a soldier he refused to put down his arms. He didn't understand that against Tyrel they would be completely useless. Worse than that, they might even cause offence. Edouard knew he had to make him understand where he was, before he opened his mouth and got them both killed.
     
    “See those beautiful redwood trees brother?” Marcus nodded, surely wondering what he was getting at but not really worried. Not as worried as he should be.
     
    “Ever wondered why they're so tall?”
     
    Marcus shook his head.
     
    “Because the blood and bone of the hundreds or thousands of foolish men who entered this place without the lady's approval, has been used as fertiliser for a century or six.”
     
    Whether that was actually true or not, Edouard didn't know. It was just one of the many tales that were passed around the inns and alehouses on the quiet nights. But it could be true, and the trees were magnificent. Nowhere else had he ever seen stands of such tall, straight trees welcoming the sun with outstretched branches.
     
    “Oh!”
     
    They walked on in silence down the green path, letting everyone see them clearly. Skulking around like school boys wanting to see the pretty woman would not have been well received. In fact it was considered a serious crime by the power that called this place home. Women were not simply creatures to be lusted after. Not for her. Alas one of those pretty women chose that moment to pass in front of them and Edouard watched his brother's eyes travelling after her. It was like an uncontrollable instinct with Marcus. And he knew that another crime was about to be committed the moment his brother opened his mouth.
     
    “Eyes front and not a word!” Edouard hissed at his brother before he could open his mouth and say something stupid. He was in no mood to listen to Marcus' bawdy remarks about the pretty women. It was the wrong time and most definitely the wrong place for them. Unless of course he actually did want to die. Or worse. And there were far worse things than death