Read Online Dangerous Waters by Juliet E. McKenna - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Juliet E. McKenna
Ads: Link
able to regain their dominion over Lescar, Caladhria and Dalasor. Nor would they, now that wizardry had arisen to its present eminence, untrammelled by the fealty which the Artificers had sworn to their princes.
‘You don’t think that the longer we hold ourselves aloof, the more influence these adepts of Artifice will gain?’ Ely demanded. ‘Don’t forget, it’s a magic that anyone can learn.’ Her lip curled with graceful contempt. ‘Anyone but the mageborn, that is.’
Jilseth knew that was the aspect of Artifice that most intrigued Planir; his principle reason for sanctioning Suthyfer’s co-operation with the few truly proficient adepts, which had the added benefit of keeping them safely adrift in the far eastern ocean.
Why was this alternate magic so inimical to elemental affinity? All but the feeblest mageborn could eventually learn some skill, even with the element antagonistic to their own; fire opposed to water, air challenging earth. Not even the most skilled and erudite wizard had yet mastered a single aetheric enchantment of the most elementary kind.
Once again, she chose her words with care. ‘As I understand it, Aetheric magic requires years of study to master. Scholars prepared to devote themselves to it remain few and far between. Those that have done so encounter unforeseen problems at every turn. These would-be adepts among Lescar’s rebels found establishing a link with another’s mind is far easier than cutting that tie. Their dreams were invaded by each other’s nightmares.’
Ely was startled. ‘Do these scholars tell their would-be adepts so?’
‘I believe so.’ Jilseth decided not to tell her that Planir had made very sure that this unsettling knowledge reached the mentors and students of Vanam’s university and Col’s. It was fortunate that so many scholars travelled to Hadrumal to gain wizardry’s insights into their alchemical or botanical studies.
‘That’s all very well but—’ Ely broke off and slid from her stool in a flurry of muted green silk.
Planir and Kalion emerged from the rear parlour. Every head in the wine shop turned, discreetly eager to read the Archmage’s mood, to catch any hint of what the Hearth Master might have said.
‘Fair festival, Madam Jilseth, and good day to you.’ Kalion swept past, barely inclining his head to her.
‘You can be on your way, Ely.’ Planir looked unsmilingly at the slender woman. ‘Why not join the dancing in the Seaward Hall tonight? I’m sure that Flood Mistress Troanna would be agreeably surprised to see you.’
‘Archmage.’ Ely bowed deep to hide the unbecoming blush staining her fine cheekbones and hurried after Kalion.
Jilseth looked warily at Planir. ‘Archmage?’
He frowned at her, not crossly but as if he had no idea why she was there. What had Kalion being saying to him?
He smiled suddenly. ‘Is the mutton good today? I’ll try it for myself, but don’t let me keep you now you’ve eaten. Go and enjoy the festival. Perhaps I’ll see you at the Terrene Hall tonight.’
‘I look forward to it, Archmage.’ With every eye in the wine shop on her, Jilseth wasn’t going to betray any discomfiture at this polite but unmistakeable dismissal.
Leaving the wine shop, she made her way through the crowded side alleys towards her own room in the Terrene Hall’s rearmost ivy-clad courtyard.
She could bide her time until the evening and tell Planir what Ely had said. It looked as though the Archmage was right. Hadrumal had far more immediate concerns than Minelas and his crimes. As Planir had told her, the renegade’s scheming had come to nothing and besides, no one beyond Hadrumal knew the truth of it.
C HAPTER F IVE
Black Turtle Isle, in the domain of Nahik Jarir
Spring Equinox, Third Day, Morning
C ORRAIN LOOKED UP at the sky, through the ragged leaves of the ugly tree he was leaning against. Back home, this was the height of the spring festival. There’d be feasting and
‘You don’t think that the longer we hold ourselves aloof, the more influence these adepts of Artifice will gain?’ Ely demanded. ‘Don’t forget, it’s a magic that anyone can learn.’ Her lip curled with graceful contempt. ‘Anyone but the mageborn, that is.’
Jilseth knew that was the aspect of Artifice that most intrigued Planir; his principle reason for sanctioning Suthyfer’s co-operation with the few truly proficient adepts, which had the added benefit of keeping them safely adrift in the far eastern ocean.
Why was this alternate magic so inimical to elemental affinity? All but the feeblest mageborn could eventually learn some skill, even with the element antagonistic to their own; fire opposed to water, air challenging earth. Not even the most skilled and erudite wizard had yet mastered a single aetheric enchantment of the most elementary kind.
Once again, she chose her words with care. ‘As I understand it, Aetheric magic requires years of study to master. Scholars prepared to devote themselves to it remain few and far between. Those that have done so encounter unforeseen problems at every turn. These would-be adepts among Lescar’s rebels found establishing a link with another’s mind is far easier than cutting that tie. Their dreams were invaded by each other’s nightmares.’
Ely was startled. ‘Do these scholars tell their would-be adepts so?’
‘I believe so.’ Jilseth decided not to tell her that Planir had made very sure that this unsettling knowledge reached the mentors and students of Vanam’s university and Col’s. It was fortunate that so many scholars travelled to Hadrumal to gain wizardry’s insights into their alchemical or botanical studies.
‘That’s all very well but—’ Ely broke off and slid from her stool in a flurry of muted green silk.
Planir and Kalion emerged from the rear parlour. Every head in the wine shop turned, discreetly eager to read the Archmage’s mood, to catch any hint of what the Hearth Master might have said.
‘Fair festival, Madam Jilseth, and good day to you.’ Kalion swept past, barely inclining his head to her.
‘You can be on your way, Ely.’ Planir looked unsmilingly at the slender woman. ‘Why not join the dancing in the Seaward Hall tonight? I’m sure that Flood Mistress Troanna would be agreeably surprised to see you.’
‘Archmage.’ Ely bowed deep to hide the unbecoming blush staining her fine cheekbones and hurried after Kalion.
Jilseth looked warily at Planir. ‘Archmage?’
He frowned at her, not crossly but as if he had no idea why she was there. What had Kalion being saying to him?
He smiled suddenly. ‘Is the mutton good today? I’ll try it for myself, but don’t let me keep you now you’ve eaten. Go and enjoy the festival. Perhaps I’ll see you at the Terrene Hall tonight.’
‘I look forward to it, Archmage.’ With every eye in the wine shop on her, Jilseth wasn’t going to betray any discomfiture at this polite but unmistakeable dismissal.
Leaving the wine shop, she made her way through the crowded side alleys towards her own room in the Terrene Hall’s rearmost ivy-clad courtyard.
She could bide her time until the evening and tell Planir what Ely had said. It looked as though the Archmage was right. Hadrumal had far more immediate concerns than Minelas and his crimes. As Planir had told her, the renegade’s scheming had come to nothing and besides, no one beyond Hadrumal knew the truth of it.
C HAPTER F IVE
Black Turtle Isle, in the domain of Nahik Jarir
Spring Equinox, Third Day, Morning
C ORRAIN LOOKED UP at the sky, through the ragged leaves of the ugly tree he was leaning against. Back home, this was the height of the spring festival. There’d be feasting and
Similar Books
