Read Online City of Sorcerers by Mary H. Herbert - Free Book Online

holy man, Ordan was one of the few priests in the clans who had an open mind regarding magic. Unlike most of his counterparts, he was willing to consider the possibility that magic was a gift of the gods, not an evil mutation of their powers. Therefore, he did not flinch away from the doorway as did two of the other priests or cross his fingers in a sign against evil. Instead he put his fingertips along the almost invisible seam of the door and looked fascinated. "Is it possible to break the seal?" he asked Athlone.
    The sorcerer-chieftain considered the tiles for a moment or two. "Probably.
    They've been weakened by age. But should we? I've never heard of a burial chamber sealed with magic wards. "
    "Neither have I. On the other hand, this appears to date back to the days before the downfall of the sorcerers. We know so little of that time. Perhaps it was accepted to seal some tombs with magic."
    Athlone touched the cool, damp stone with a finger. "Well, I'm willing to try to open it if you are."
    Ordan's thin lips pulled into a rare smile. "My curiosity has gotten the best of me.
    Break the seals, magic-wielder."
    Hastily the men backed up several paces to give Lord Athlone more room. The chief stretched out both arms and placed his fingertips on the wards. He closed his eyes to concentrate on the magic around him. He knew the power permeated the natural world. Magic was in the rocks, the earth, the living plants, and it was in the souls of those born with the talent to wield its energy. As he drew magic from the earth at his feet, he felt the energy flow through him, as natural and comforting as his own blood.
    He wished he had a diamond splinter such as Gabria's to help him intensify his spell, but the splinters were emblems of an older age and only one had been found since the destruction of Moy Tura. He would have to rely on his own strength.
    Visualizing exactly what he wanted to do, he focused his spell down through his fingertips and sent a powerful, explosive jolt of magic into the tiles. The wards were stronger than he expected. Old, worn, and eroded as they were, they had been constructed by a master sorcerer and their power was still potent. Athlone had to send a second, more powerful burst into them before the marble finally cracked and the tiles shattered to dust.
    The chieftain leaned against the frame, breathing heavily. “Are you all right?"
    Koshyn asked at his side.
    "Yes." He pushed himself upright. "But if they hadn't been so old and worn, I would never have broken through. Someone wanted to make sure this body was not disturbed."

    Well, let's go see what's in there," someone yelled eagerly, and the men shouted their agreement.
    Still weary, Athlone stood aside and let Savaron step in to put his shoulder to the stone door. Together, Koshyn and Savaron heaved against the entrance until the stone groaned and creaked and a black crack appeared along the right hand edge.

    * * * * *
    Under the tree in the Khulinin camp, Lady Gabria lunged to her feet and screamed a terrible cry of anguish.
    "Mother!" Kelene shouted in horror, hobbling to her side as the sorceress buried her face in her hands. The children clustered around, clamoring with fear and confusion. The white cat took off like a streak, and Demira neighed a nervous challenge. White-faced, Tam tried to calm the young ones while Kelene and Nara gathered close to Gabria.
    "What is it? What's wrong?" Tam cried over the uproar.
    Gabria was sweating and lightheaded and shuddering uncontrollably. She clasped Kelene's arm with one hand and Nara's leg with the other, too upset to speak.
    Kelene responded. "I don't know!" She stared at her mother's stricken face and felt her heart twist. Kelene knew she had pushed aside her love for Gabria many times in the past few years, but, behind the facade she showed to the world, that love had never waned. Now she was horrified by the pain she saw in Gabria's eyes. "Mother, please! What's the matter?" she