Read Online The Crystal Mountain by Thomas M. Reid - Free Book Online

of here.”
    The other angel nodded and returned to the task at hand.
    Garin soared above the treetops, opting for a higher view of the terrain as he sped toward his new problem. To his right, the great wall of roiling Other continued to churn.
    Garin spied another maelstrom nearby. He increased his speed, angling to get near the storm without getting so close that he was in danger of being affected by it. The veils of color and light sliced through the forest like a barrage of whirling blades. Everywhere they touched, reality changed.
    We’re losing this fight, Garin realized. We cannot slow it down.
    Shoring up his resolve, he dived toward the place the lantern archon had indicated. He could already see another crew of devas and archons scattering before the churning, obliterating maelstrom. Garin sought out the commander.
    The fleeing angel heard Garin’s shout and changed his course. They met in midair, well back from the surging power of the wild magic. “It’s too much,” the other angel said, panting. “That’s the fourth one just since I sent word to you. We can’t do any good here.”
    Garin gave the other angel a stern look. “We have our responsibilities,” he said, chastising the deva. “You will hold your position and work to cure the damage done until you receive new orders. Is that clear?”
    The other angel glared back. “You would sacrifice us all to this madness just because that was the instruction handed
    down to us? You’re as foolish as Tyr himself.”
    Garin, dumbfounded at his counterpart’s insurrection, could only gape.
    “Perhaps Torm has a more level head on his shoulders and can think of better ways to use those loyal to him. If you wish to die needlessly, then you and your rigid commands are more than welcome to do so. I leave you to it.” With that, the deva turned and flew away.
    Garin watched the traitorous angel depart, sadness filling his heart. Please act soon, Tyr. Your followers begin to abandon you. Hope is dwindling.
    Below him, another eruption of magic roared. He looked down to see the very land turn inside out, blossoming like some bizarre, nightmarish flower. When the upheaval abated, a strange seedlike object twenty paces across bobbed in the ground as though it sat upon the surface of water.
    Several archons approached the peculiar object cautiously. As they drew near, it shimmered and shook, then began to crack along the top.
    “Get back!” Garin screamed. “Stay away!”
    He soared closer, yelling at the remaining celestials to stand clear. He had no idea what it might be, but he would not sacrifice more of his followers until it was necessary.
    The seed-thing split in two, each half flopping to the side. A horde of vile creatures from some nether plane spilled out, accompanied by a gagging stench. Their pasty bodies oozed pus and drool dripped from their slavering fangs. They gibbered in delight, chattering to one another in some fell tongue Garin did not understand. They raised wicked weapons—dark, serrated blades and barbed, blood-soaked hooked polearms—and screamed a challenge.
    Demons, Garin realized, stunned, and sickened. Demons in paradise. It cannot be.
    With cries of glee the wretched things swarmed outward from their broken cocoon and raced toward the celestial denizens.
    Eirwyn stared at the game board before her, frowning. She could see several possible moves that might create an advantage for her position, but none of them felt right. She could gain no insight into her path.
    No, that’s not quite right, she admitted. I can’t focus.
    “You seem restless,” Oshiga commented, sitting across from Eirwyn. “Have I backed you into a corner?”
    Eirwyn smirked. “Not yet, but I can’t seem to concentrate. I’m not certain this is working.”
    Oshiga nodded. “Perhaps we should rest.”
    Eirwyn shook her head. “That’s not it. I know Erathaol wants me to relax and get back in the habit of divining in small ways, but this doesn’t feel