Smith Ready Jeri [Aspect of Crow 03] The Reawakened

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exactly as Wolverine told Lycas when he progressed to the third phase. She kept her voice steadier
than she felt inside. If we don t liberate these lands soon, we ll lose our one advantage our magic.
And then what? Dravek looked at Rhia, then at Vara sitting next to him. We won t surrender, will
we?
Marek scoffed. Never. As long as we breathe, we fight.
Exactly. Krios the Bear raised his mug to Marek, then looked at Rhia. Your brother would say the
same. Even without magic, we d still push them out. Ilions can t win our kind of war, and we won t fight
their kind of war.
As long as we have the support of the people, Marek said, it s just a matter of time.
Galen sighed. But without magic, without the Spirits, why would the people support a revolution?
There s been no peace in Asermos for eleven years. They re weary of war.
All the more reason we need to end it. Rhia pushed her chair back, then stood and paced in Galen s
kitchen. I think we re getting close. With Lycas and Feras controlling most of the territory outside the
two occupied villages, they re almost ready to move into the final phase. She swallowed her
ever-present dread. But these last two months, I can t even confirm Lycas is alive.
He must be, Vara said. If he d been captured or killed, the Ilions would have told the world.
They didn t tell anyone when they captured Sirin, Rhia pointed out. If they want to avoid making a
martyr out of Lycas, they d put him in a cell and let him die of thirst. Or poison him or She stopped
and rubbed her temples. No sense darkening the conversation further.
Wait a moment. Galen lifted his hand.
Rhia held her breath at the sight of his faraway look. He was no doubt receiving a message from Thera,
the third-phase Kalindon Hawk whose powers fluctuated nearly as much as her son Etarek s. Sometimes
her communications were clear, but usually Galen deciphered her meaning from disjointed words and
feelings.
Several seconds went by, then a faint smile curved the deep lines of Galen s face. It s Berilla, he
whispered. My old apprentice in Asermos. She must have entered the third phase. He covered his ears
and stared at the intricate pattern on the woven cloth at the table s center, the one he used to clear and
focus his mind.
Galen s eyes popped wide. He moved his lips, but no sound came out, as he spoke to Berilla over many
miles. Breath quickening, he listened intently, gray-streaked brows pinching together.
Rhia s own face hurt from clenching its muscles. She sat next to Marek and massaged her forehead to
ease the tension. Staring at Galen wouldn t make the message come through any faster.
No!
Rhia jumped at the sound of Galen s voice. His eyes were squeezed shut, and his hands clutched the
edge of the table.
Wait Berilla! He drew in a deep, sharp breath. His eyes opened slowly.
What happened? Rhia whispered.
Galen drew his hands down over his paling face. Orders came from Ilios today. The Descendants plan a
full-scale invasion of Tiros and Kalindos.
Dravek sprang to his feet. What?
Why? Krios said. We have nothing they want.
We re aiding the guerrillas and the resistance in Asermos and Velekos. Galen s hands shook as they
filled his cup with water. And the Ilions are tired of fighting battles they can t win. They think they can
win here.
Of course they can, Krios said, if they bring a whole battalion. Invading a village with a population that
can t run away that s their kind of war.
When will this happen? Rhia asked.
I don t know, Galen whispered.
Can you ask Berilla?
No. His hands sank to the table, rattling the cup. We were cut off. She may be unconscious. He
closed his eyes. I fear she s dead.
Lycas caught up with Corek at the Tiron stable, where he was still haggling a boarding price with the
stablemaster. Together they hurried through the driving rain to the home of Galen the Hawk.
Lycas rapped three times on the door and shouted, Sparrow!
Excited voices rose inside. The door opened, and Rhia dragged him across the threshold.
You re alive!
He eased out of her embrace. I wish you wouldn t sound so surprised.
And Corek! Rhia hugged the soaking young man hard enough to wring a puddle of water out of his
cloak. What are you doing here?
Lycas said I should see Galen. Corek pulled back his hood. For help with my Bestowing. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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