Read Online Blood of the Earth by David A. Wells - Free Book Online

to heal Commander P’Tal with a spell but it didn’t work. We found him dead the next morning.”
    Alexander looked at Isabel again, examining her colors more closely.
    “I’m fine, Alexander. Stop worrying. My healing magic works differently than most others’. I’ve already talked with Kelvin and Magda about it. They said Esmer died because the wraithkin’s taint kept his connection to the firmament open. When he went to sleep, he got lost in the firmament in his dreams. That’s why he never woke up.
    “Since my healing doesn’t come from manipulating the firmament, Magda thinks the taint will attack my connection to the realm of light instead. I might lose my ability to use the light but not my other magic.”
    “What’s Kelvin think?” Alexander asked.
    “He’s not so sure,” Isabel said, reluctantly. “He’s afraid that the taint will go to work on my connection with the firmament once it’s overpowered my link with the realm of light.”
    Alexander frowned. “We have to get rid of that taint, and sooner would be better than later.”
    “We’re already working on it, Alexander,” Bella said.
    The door in the entry hall opened and people started filing in. Abigail and Jack, with a young waifish girl trailing behind them, looking timid and wide-eyed, came first, followed by Anatoly, Lucky, Kelvin, and Magda.
    Abigail went straight to her brother and hugged him, then stepped back and said with a smile, “Be more careful!”
    “You’re looking well for a man who’s just recently died,” Jack said with a sparkle. “It’s good to have you back.”
    “Quite, my boy,” Lucky said. “Looks like your wound has mended nicely.”
    “I hear you got two of those wraithkin,” Anatoly said. “Not bad. I went to see Commander P’Tal yesterday. They hurt him pretty bad. The healers say he’ll be out of commission for a few months, at least.”
    “You look like you’ve recovered well,” Alexander said.
    “Isabel’s magic fixed me up better than I had any right to expect,” Anatoly said. “I thought I was gone for sure when that scourgling hit me. Felt like every bone in my chest was shattered.”
    “That’s because they were,” Lucky said. “You were far beyond my talents. Without Isabel, you would have died.”
    “So you keep reminding me,” Anatoly said.
    Lucky smiled impishly.
    Kelvin shook Alexander’s hand. “Glad to have you back. We have much to discuss and your leadership is sorely needed.”
    Alexander sighed and nodded. “Can we have breakfast first?”
    Kelvin chuckled, nodding.
    “Hello, Lord Reishi,” Magda said. “I’m glad to see you’re well. I feared the worst when I arrived to the news that you’d been unconscious for two days.”
    “Thank you, Magda. I’m glad you could come to Blackstone for the council meeting,” Alexander said with a deferential nod to the triumvir.
    Then he turned to the young girl and smiled. “You were sitting with Isabel and Abigail when I looked in on them at the fortress island. Thanks for keeping them company. I’m sure your friendship was a comfort to them. I’m Alexander.”
    She swallowed hard and curtsied as if she just remembered she was supposed to be on her best behavior. “I’m Wren, Lord Reishi. Thank you for having me as a guest in your home.”
    Alexander smiled and chuckled. “You’re most welcome. Any friend of my wife and sister is a friend of mine.”
    “Wren is a treasure,” Jack said. “Abigail introduced her to me when she arrived with the triumvirs yesterday. It seems that Wren wants to sing. We bards are always on the hunt for new talent, so I listened to her for a few minutes. I have to say, I’ve never heard anyone with more natural talent and passion for the craft. With a little coaching, I expect her to be one of the greatest singers in all of the Seven Isles.”
    Wren blushed furiously. “I’m not really that good,” she muttered.
    Adele came bustling into the sitting room and stopped short when