The Hidden City Read Online Free PDF Page A

Anakha,’ the jewel responded, once again taking control of Vanion.
    â€˜Where did he – or it – originate?’
    â€˜Klæl did not originate, Anakha. Even as I, Klæl hath always been.’
    â€˜What is it – he?’
    â€˜Necessary. I would not offend thee, Anakha, but the necessity of Klæl is beyond thine ability to comprehend. The Child Goddess hath explained Klæl sufficiently -within her capabilities.’
    â€˜Well,
really!’
Aphrael spluttered.
    A faint smile touched Vanion’s lips. ‘Be not wroth with me, Aphrael. I do love thee still – despite thy limitations. Thou art young, and age shall bring thee wisdom and understanding.’
    This is not going well, Blue Rose,’ Sephrenia warned the stone.
    â€˜Ah, well,’ Bhelliom sighed. ‘Let us then to work. Klæl
was,
in fact, cast out by the Elder Gods, as Aphrael hath told thee – although the spirit of Klæl, even as my spirit, doth linger in the very rocks of this world – as in all others which I have made. Moreover, what the Elder Gods could do, they could also undo, and the spell which hath returned Klæl was implicit in the spell which did cast Klæl out. Clearly, some mortal conversant with the spells of the Elder Gods hath reversed the spell of casting out, and Klæl hath returned.’
    â€˜Can he – or it – be destroyed?’
    â€˜It is not “he” of which we speak, nor do we speak of some “it”. We speak of Klæl. But nay, Anakha, Klæl cannot be destroyed – no more than can I. Klæl is eternal.’
    Sparhawk’s heart sank. ‘I think we’re in trouble,’ he muttered to his friends.
    â€˜The fault is in some measure mine. So caught up was I in the birth of this latest child of mine that mine attention did stray from needful duties. It is my wont to cast Klæl out at a certain point in the making of a new world. This particular child did so delight me, however, that I delayed the casting out. Then it was that I did encounter the red dust which did imprison me, and the duty to cast Klæl out did devolve upon the Elder Gods. The casting-out was made imperfect by reason of
their
imperfection, and thus it was possible for Klæl to be returned.’
    â€˜By Cyrgon?’ Sparhawk asked bleakly.
    â€˜The spell of casting out – and returning – is Styric. Cyrgon could not utter it.’
    â€˜Cyzada then,’ Sephrenia guessed. ‘He might very well have known the spell. I don’t think he’d have used it willingly, though.’
    â€˜Cyrgon probably forced him to use it, little mother,’Kalten said. ‘Things haven’t been going very well for Cyrgon and Zalasta lately.’
    â€˜But to call Klæl!’ Aphrael shuddered.
    â€˜Desperate people do desperate things,’ Kalten shrugged. ‘So do desperate Gods, I suppose.’
    â€˜What do we do, Blue Rose?’ Sparhawk asked. ‘About Klæl, I mean to say?’
    â€˜Thou canst do nothing, Anakha. Thou didst well when thou didst meet Azash, and doubtless will do well again in thy dispute with Cyrgon. Thou wouldst be powerless against Klæl, however.’
    â€˜We’re doomed then.’ Sparhawk suddenly felt totally crushed.
    â€˜Doomed? Of course thou art not doomed. Why art thou so easily downcast and made disconsolate, my friend? I did not make thee to confront Klæl. That is
my
duty. Klæl will trouble us in some measure, as is Klæl’s wont. Then, as is our custom, Klæl and I will meet.’
    â€˜And thou wilt once more banish him?’
    â€˜That is never certain, Anakha. I do assure thee, however, that I will strive to mine utmost to cast Klæl out – even as Klæl will strive to cast
me
out. The contest between us doth lie in the future, and as I have oft told thee, the future is concealed. I will approach the contest with confidence, however, for doubt