Prophecy's Quest
Page 39
'Hmmm, that will be worth watching then,' Brynn said.
'I thought you would say that. You know, before all this, I spent some time in the dwarven nation. Became good friends with several dwarven who later formed part of the intermediatory governing council while they searched for a legitimate heir.'
'Is that why they named the ranges after your house!' Brynn exclaimed lightly.
Sarre grinned. 'I wish I could claim that honour, but my great grandfather deserves that credit.'
'The dwarven would never fight in open combat, yet if we could get control of key cities they might hold them for us. If we petition this new ruler, is it likely she will favour us?'
Sarre gave Brynn his trademark smile.
'Of course,' Brynn said with a chuckle, 'I am talking to an elvan who can convince may-en-ghi to let down their guard. Mayhap, then, after you have had some time to rest, you might head south.'
'Plans are already in the making,' Sarre replied. 'I have sent a message to an old friend, Va-ri-el. Tough as dragons' scales, with loyalty as solid as a mountain — I know I can trust her. She also supported the elvan cause, stayed here longer than any other dwarven house. Only when Keldon started targeting her specifically, publicly executing dwarven in her name, did she withdraw to Reluynholme.'
'I think my father knows her. He once said that her leaving marked the final departure of the dwarven military from Andarea. Will not her voice be considered a controversial one in dwarven court, and thus, possibly less influential?'
Sarre shook his head emphatically. 'Feldengard is a highly respected house. Va-ri-el is as traditional as the stone foundations of the dwarven cities. Her voice reflects many others. She is a crucial person to start with if we hope to get the dwarven involved again. You are well aware of just how many elvan we have lost in the war. Without the dwarven, we won't be able to hold any territory we wrangle back from Malithorn.'
Brynn gave Sarre a thoughtful nod. 'That gives me a lot to think about. I agree, we should re-establish our relations with the dwarven and your connections will make you essential to that.' They reached the Jagrery base entry and Brynn paused. 'But will you wait at least until she is well enough to speak.'
Sarre's expression sobered. 'As moral support or as a representative of you to the woman The Prophecy describes as the path to peace?'
Brynn frowned for a moment. When he finally looked up at Sarre, the blue eyes held a storm of sadness, apprehension, frustration, and anguish. 'Neither. She needs a friend.'
'Like you did, thirty turns ago?'
Brynn nodded and then stepped in between the narrow gap in the rocks that hid one of the entrances into the base.
Sarre found himself deeply disturbed as he recognised just how much this was costing the child. Kassan and he had discussed it, whether Brynn would break before he was able to do whatever he had to do to bring the country — no, not just the country — the continent, back into the hands of those who were conquered. Regardless of what the seers said, Brynn needed more time. Not just to recover from the death of his grandfather and to absorb the messages Toormeena had passed on to him, but to rebuild his confidence. She needed time, too, he realised. The Saviour may have found the woman referred to in his oracle, but, according to Brynn's memories, she had not even heard of The Prophecy until a few sennats ago.
Something needed to be done to win them more time. Some way of taking the pressures off them and offer them the opportunity to take in what was expected of them and discover the confidence to take on the challenge. The archer felt the flicker of inspiration spark in his mind and smiled. Whether the House of Toorian agreed or not, he was just about to create a diversion in the paths.
This part of Brynn's journey has ended, however his story continues in Prophecy's Diversion. While Brynn has found the other mentioned in The Prophecy, he is still not sure of his role in helping his nation achieve freedom. The young mage is also uncertain of how to achieve the unity required by The Prophecy. And what of the missing part of Eirra-ghi? Brynn is certain he still needs to find the missing sliver from the sword's amulet. Then there is Sariah. Her path is also integral to the freedom of the nation, but first Brynn must track her down and see just how serious her untended injuries are. Sarre may be right in his belief that both the Saviour and the prophecised one need more time. The archer realises that all the rebels see when Brynn appears is the prophecised saviour, not the child-mage struggling to link all the pieces that he needs for success together. Can he gain them the time he thinks they need before he has to travel to the dwarven lands? For it is a journey Sarre cannot afford to delay for too long, because without the dwarven, the rebellion may not be able to gather the numbers they need to hold back the forces Malithorn Abbarane is preparing to send after them.
Table of Contents
Contents
Title Page
Back Cover
Books by AS Hamilton
Acknowledgements
Map - Seda-eirra
Map - Andarea
The Prophecy
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Book 1: Prophecy's Deception
Book 3: Prophecy's Diversion
Glossary
Elvan Houses