The Last Talisman Read Online Free PDF Page A

their third day as Megisto’s guests. Sennar sat beside her, on the brink of dozing off.
    â€œSo, you’ve decided to wake up at last,” said the sorcerer.
    With great effort, Nihal lifted her head from the mattress. “How long have we been here? We need to get moving again, there’s no—”
    Sennar cut her off. “Laio has kept you from dying. So far, at least. You wouldn’t want to undo all his hard work.”
    Nihal let her head fall back on the straw. “I’m starving,” she said.
    â€œAs soon as Laio gets here, we’ll eat.”
    Shortly after, the squire arrived, carrying a few berries and walnuts he’d found in the woods. When he noticed Nihal’s eyes were open, he threw his arms around her neck, forgetting her wound completely. Nihal grimaced. “Oh, excuse me,” Laio bumbled as he let go of her, his cheeks red with embarrassment.
    That afternoon, alone with Sennar, Nihal revealed her impatience. She said she had recovered and insisted that they’d already lost enough time as it was. They needed to get moving again.
    â€œIt’s still too soon, even you know that,” the sorcerer tried to dissuade her. “If you start traveling now, you’ll be ill again in a day or two.”
    â€œThe war won’t pause for my convenience. I can’t afford to lose any more time,” Nihal replied.
    â€œThat’s not what I’m asking you to do.”
    â€œBut it’s inevitable, if I stay here.”
    â€œI’ll go in your place.”
    Nihal stared at him in silence. “You can’t. You know that. Only I can wear the talisman and handle the stones.”
    â€œI’m a sorcerer. I may not have my medallion anymore, but I’m still a councilor.”
    â€œBut I don’t understand how …”
    Sennar turned. He couldn’t meet her gaze, fearing she’d detect the falseness in his eyes. “I know hundreds of spells capable of quarantining immense power. I have no doubt one of them will be sufficient to strip the talisman of its energy. That way, I’ll be able to transport it, at least for a little while.”
    â€œBut the guardian …”
    â€œWith the talisman in my possession, the guardian will have no reason to object.”
    â€œYou don’t know where the sanctuary is …” Nihal protested.
    â€œSo you’ll tell me.”
    Sennar stopped speaking. Silence, laden with doubt, filled the cave.
    â€œIt’s too dangerous. I won’t tell you.”
    Sennar knelt beside Nihal and took her hand. “I’m not going to let you leave here until you’re completely healed.” He forced his lips into a smile. “How hard could it be to enter a sanctuary? After all, I made it down to the Underworld.”
    Nihal refused to return his smile. “You won’t trick me into agreeing with you.”
    â€œI’m only trying to help you.”
    For a moment, Nihal said nothing. Sennar squeezed her hand in his. “Promise me you won’t take any stupid risks; promise me you’ll come back if the spell doesn’t work.”
    Sennar swallowed. “I promise,” he said, getting to his feet. “Come on, then, let’s consult this talisman of yours and see where I have to go,” he chimed, trying to seem cheerful.
    Nihal hesitated for a moment, then picked up the medallion.
    Sennar looked on as she closed her eyes in concentration. When the half-elf spoke, her voice sounded strange, as if emerging from a deep abyss. “In the sea, where the rocks meet the waves and the waves consume the rocks. Sea foam spraying high and wind, a terrible wind whistling through the crevices. The coast. Two tall black shadows. Two towers. No, two tall structures, two spires.” Nihal opened her eyes.
    â€œIs that all?” Sennar asked, disappointed.
    â€œYes, that was all I saw.”
    Sennar sighed. “Can you tell me the