The Broken Kingdom Read Online Free PDF Page B

Karesh asked in his cautious
way.
    ‘Oh, nothing. Just something Riley
wants.’
    ‘Aerlid, what is wrong with the Master?’
    ‘Hm? Oh, nothing Karesh. She’ll be fine.
It’ll take a little while, but she’ll be fine.’
    ‘Aerlid,’ Karesh hesitated, torn.
    ‘Karesh, I fixed your wings. Don’t you think
I can take care of Riley too?’

    And yet things were clearly not right.
    The Master frequently touched Aerlid, his
arm, his shoulder, his face. She stood closer to him than she ever
had before. Karesh frowned but said nothing. The gemengs looked to
him for leadership, but they were unhappy too.
    When she got too close one night Aerlid
said, ‘No, not yet, dear. She would be very upset if that happened
with her body.’
    ‘It’s not her body.’ she said icily. ‘Though
she seems to disagree. She’s pretty damn sure she’s not dead
anymore. Aerlid, I want her out. She gives me no respite. She’s
always pushing, pushing, trying to take over.’
    ‘I’m working on making you a new body.’
    ‘You’ve been saying that for days now. Just
use the gem.’
    ‘I fear I couldn’t. You were… you were much
weaker when I put you there. She would fight me. No, I need to move
you to a new body.’
    ‘Haven’t you made me suffer enough?’
    ‘I’m so sorry. I’ll fix it, Seta, I
promise.’

    When the storm came the Master was upset.
They had vacated the cave hours ago and gathered above. Below, the
cave was filling with water.
    Rain pelted down, but Aerlid sang. A
glittering shield protected them from the water. The Master had her
arms crossed over her chest and looked almost sulky.
    Aerlid was profusely apologizing. He had
been all night.
    ‘It’s not the damn rain!’ she finally
screamed at him. ‘I want her out of my head!’
    ‘I’m sorry, Seta, I’m trying. I’m not as
strong as I used to be.’
    As always, Karesh and the gemengs sat in a
group some distance from Aerlid and the Master.
    ‘I can see that! Why didn’t you remove her
soul from this body when you put me here in the first place?!’
    ‘I’m sorry.’
    ‘I’m sick of hearing that. You know, for
someone who loves me you sure don’t act like it.’
    ‘I’m so sorry, Seta. Of course I love you.
I’ll get rid of her. I’ll do something. I promise.’
    ‘Well hurry up. She’s driving me mad.’

 

    Chapter 9
    W hen they climbed back
into the cave after it finally drained they found a surprise
waiting for them.
    A fish person was flapping around in their
cave, its tail badly cut.
    ‘What about that?’ the Master said. ‘Put her
there.’
    Aerlid said nothing. He carefully approached
the fish person. Outside, Karesh saw, a whole troop of fish people
were bobbing around looking concerned.
    ‘Calm down.’ Aerlid said. ‘I’ll fix that for
you.’
    It seemed to work. The flapping slowed down,
stopped.
    And then the wound began to heal. Soon it
was no more than a scar with blood smeared over it.
    Aerlid straightened. ‘Karesh,’ he said, ‘we
should get him back into the water.’
    He nodded.
    ‘Wait.’ The Master, resplendent in her gown
strode over.
    ‘Seta-’
    ‘No, Aerlid. Are you going to make me suffer
more because of what you did?’
    ‘I-’
    ‘Help me, or I will do it myself. It is your fault I must suffer like this.’
    Aerlid bowed his head. ‘Yes, Seta. I am so
sorry… Very well, we will put her there for now. When I’ve finished
your new body we can put her back.’
    Karesh, who had his arms around the fish
person looked in alarm between the two.
    ‘Aerlid-’ he began.
    ‘It’s alright, Karesh. Everything will be
fine.’

    The fragile cocoon ripped and tore.
    She opened her eyes, her vision was blurry.
She tried to get up. She felt as though she was moving. Had she
gotten up?
    Her vision cleared somewhat, but still, it
was like looking at something down a long tunnel. The world was
flat, nothing to be seen.
    Riley tried to rub her eyes. The world was
moving around, as though she was walking. Or