AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He startled and barked, “Am not.”
She arched a brow. “Says the man rubbing his new weapon like a lover.”
“Oh.” He glanced down at it. “It’s strange, but something about it calls to me.”
“It wasn’t the one depicted book,” she remarked. “I wonder if it was constructed after.”
“Does it have the same magic as the other items?”
“Yes, plus some. First off, it’s made of elekium, the most reliable metal you can use against monsters. On top of that, you can see on the hilt and the blade itself that it’s got the same protective runes as your bracers, but also others. I recognize a few. Strength. Endurance. Even one for light.”
“Why would a sword need light?”
“Because you might find yourself in a dark place?” she quipped.
He snorted. “I have a flint for that.”
As they entered the courtyard, she scrambled off her mount before Kormac could help. Each time he touched her, she felt slightly faint. Was it possible to be allergic to someone? For some reason, she thought of some of the other acolytes in the keep, those who swooned over men. They too claimed weakness and heart palpitations when a male that interested them paid them any mind.
Her? Like the warlord? Fionna wasn’t given to such foolishness. Even if she were attracted, she’d never act on it. What would it accomplish? Nothing, but maybe some of that stickiness the others spoke of.
“Where are you going?” Kormac barked as she strode for the entrance of the castle.
“To report to my queen.” She didn’t wait for a reply as she went to her room.
The mirror was answered almost immediately and showed Amelia in her office, sipping tea. “Hello, Fionna. How go things in Srayth?”
“Convoluted.” She paused and said, “I met my grandmother today.”
Amelia spat out her tea. “I thought you had no family.”
“According to my mother, I didn’t, however that wasn’t true. Lady Frieda is still very much alive and claims I am the mirror image of my mother.”
“How wonderful for you.” Amelia sounded pleased.
“Yes, but it’s not the reason I contacted you. We’ve discovered more of those talismans against the thing possessing people. There was also a drawing.” Fionna described it to Amelia before showing her the warning printed on it.
Amelia’s lips tightened. “Now there’s a symbol not often seen, not since the world broke and Acca flooded.”
“You recognize it?”
“I do, but first a little explanation. Regular witches can manipulate the elements. That symbol stands for sorceress. A sorceress is a woman who can do all the things a witch can, but who also gains power from the life force and death of living things.”
“How does one use death?” Fionna frowned.
“I don’t know. I’ve never known anyone with that gift.”
“That’s good because this warning seems to state that a sorceress is what will set it free.”
“Assuming the warning is accurate. You’ve said this thing claims it will soon escape.”
Fionna chewed her lower lip. “It did. But it could be lying.”
“You’d better hope it is because if it gets loose…”
They might not be able to stop it.
“Did you ever find out what that symbol on the talisman means?” Fionna asked, switching topics.
