The Death of Chaos Read Online Free PDF

been history. Hydlen’s held it since before the fall of Fairhaven,” the autarch explained, “but no one seems to forget. They have long memories.”
    “And long knives,” added Krystal.
    “So that’s why he needs the brimstone spring? Is he going to try to use cannon against Colaris?” I speculated.
    “It could be, but he would be gambling that Colaris couldn’t round up a white wizard,” mused Krystal.
    “Given Colaris’s reputation, that’s not much of a gamble. All of the dukes of Freetown have been rather brutal, and frugal, and Colaris is cast in the same mold,” said Kasee. “But Berfir is very practical, from all reports, and he could hang onto the spring, string us out, and finally give it back after he got a lot of brimstone. Why deliberately start another border conflict?”
    “It doesn’t make sense. Not from what we know,” ventured Krystal.
    “I wonder if there were any vulcrows around.”
    “Is there anything to that?” asked Kasee. “You think this is tied up with another white wizard?”
    “I don’t know, but Antonin used one to spy on me. And, remember, Antonin really didn’t care who won between you and the Prefect. He only wanted to increase his powers, just like all white wizards.”
    “How did anyone ever overcome them?” asked Kasee dryly.
    “I think it took about a thousand years and enough power to melt Frven,” I answered.
    “We don’t have that much time or power.” Krystal pursed her lips.
    “Has anyone seen Justen?” I asked. “He should know something.”
    “I talked to Tamra this morning,” Krystal said. “He left two days ago.”
    “Rather convenient,” observed the autarch.
    “She didn’t go with him?”
    “According to Tamra, Justen told her that she was now perfectly able to take care of herself for a while and he needed a holiday. He was headed west, but he didn’t say where he was going.”
    Both women looked at me.
    I sighed. “I guess I’d better take a trip.”
    “I’m not commanding,” Kasee began. “One requests from order-masters—politely. Very politely.”
    I wasn’t certain that the half-lucky disposal of a mere three white wizards merited so much deference. Still, I had to smile. “You can’t afford to lose your subcommander.”
    “Commander,” interposed Kasee.
    “And neither can I.”
    “Lerris…” began Krystal.
    I shrugged. “I’ll pack up some tools and wander into Hydlen. I’ll be an apprentice, looking for a situation. I still look young enough for that.”
    “I appreciate that offer, Lerris. You don’t have to undertake this.”
    “I have an interest.” I looked at Krystal. “A strong interest.” Then I looked back at the autarch. “This is going to take time. I don’t intend to march over the pass directly. Don’t you have to do something? I mean, soon?”
    Kasee looked at me with the hint of a smile. “What? I can send more troops and have them slaughtered. If Berfir invades Kyphros, I’ll get plenty of warning, and it’s easier to fight in our desert hills than in the mountains. Acting too soon can only cost us. There’s only Jikoya there, and the town’s worth less than the troops I could lose. I might need the troops, and their commander, for when they’re more useful.”
    Krystal nodded.
    I didn’t quite swallow. The idea that troops were more important than a town—that I hadn’t thought about.
    “Anything else you might need, Lerris?” asked the autarch.
    I forced a grin. “It would help…if I could obtain some…donations for…travel expenses.”
    “You’ve gotten hopelessly mercenary,” Kasee said dryly.
    “It’s much less expensive than losing troops because you don’t know what’s going on,” I pointed out. “You just said that.”
    Kasee did smile, briefly.
    “How would you go?” asked Krystal.
    “The land route. A poor apprentice wouldn’t arrive the easy way.”
    “You never have taken the easy route.” Krystal rubbed her forehead. I appreciated the worry,