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Dread of Spirit: Rise of the Mage - Book One

Page 42

by Jason Bilicic


  Mother, Kelc thought as his tears renewed and a profound sense of loneliness filled him.

  I know, Youngest, and I you. Now go.

  Kelc held the skiver in both hands and felt it heat as he pulled his mother’s spirit into its black depth. He drew her in as carefully as he could, handling her as if her spirit were the finest crystal.

  After he finished, he remained there, kneeling in the icy snow in the easternmost plains of Symea. He allowed his emotions to even out and wiped the tears from his face. After a time, he slowly climbed to his feet and walked to his dead body, where he removed his cape, the one that Shaia had purchased for him, and used it to wrap up his own severed head, the thing nearly frozen now.

  “Tears?” Kreggen asked.

  Kelc wiped his forearm across his face before nodding. “These days have been trying, Kreg.”

  “Tears,” the warden repeated as if considering, his voice a blend of thoughtfulness and disapproval. He raised his hand and tapped his chin while working his jaw from side to side.

  “I am ready to depart, warden.”

  “Go,” Kreggen said quickly as he regained his focus, “and do not return.”

  Kelc turned from his brother to leave, but looked back, his dark eyes intense. “Protect yourself, Kreg. Remember. You must change this land.”

  The Territorial Warden’s head jerked to the side as if struck upon hearing his brother’s last words again. He shook his head minutely to rattle the argument that raged in his brain. Finally, he turned his grey eyes on Kelc and offered a shallow nod.

  “Go,” he answered, tears now tumbling down his cheeks, his sword tip resting on the snowy ground. His eyes seemed to scrutinize the man before him, searching for the truth even as a quick shake of his head refused it. Kreg looked to the headless body of his brother before returning his attention to Hull Jista, to Kelc. For a long moment, he deliberately pulled air into his body, each breath seemingly difficult to obtain. Finally, he opened his mouth as if he sought to say something more, but could only repeat his command before he turned away. “Go.”

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