Read Online The Daughters Daring (The Daughters Daring & The Enchanted Forest Book 1) by Steven J. Thompson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Steven J. Thompson
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said, “or perhaps you are fascinated by my magic? I saw the look in your eyes. I know the hunger I saw there."
“Hunger for what?” Elizabeth asked.
“For power!” The witch exclaimed. “Let men have their muscles and their swords. Magic is the one thing that gives a woman power over all; it empowers the weak over the strong!"
As the witch spoke energy again crackled at her fingertips. Her excitement was clearly energizing her, and Elizabeth couldn't keep herself from staring. The witch was right, she was fascinated! She imagined what it must be like to harness such energy, such power. No one, not her parents, or the King’s Guards, or even her sister, could tell her what to do if she possessed such power.
Elizabeth banished the thought. The magic beckoned to her, but she resisted it. She had to concentrate on the pressing matter of discovering the witch’s plan.
“I admit, you're powerful,” Elizabeth said. “But why attack Highcynder? What did they do?”
“They have done plenty!” The witch yelled, as anger flashed in her eyes. “Your kingdom is not as righteous as you might think, your precious “king” not so just.”
“Really?” Elizabeth prodded. “Please, do tell.”
“He abandoned us, but, you're changing the subject again, aren't you? You're good at that, but now I know your weakness. You crave the knowledge and power that I wield.”
“Maybe, but what does it matter? I doubt you would teach me.”
“You're wrong, young one,” the witch said. “Life among the goblins can be lonely, and I need an apprentice to help with my cause. Hold out your hand.”
The webs around Elizabeth’s arm receded, allowing her to extend her open hand. The witch harnessed the energy in her hand into a ball, dancing like a blue flame, and placed it into Elizabeth’s palm. Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. The sensation in her fingers wasn’t painful at all, but rather amazing. As she focused, she made it dance around in her hand, bending it to her will. Elizabeth smiled at this, not noticing that the witch smiled with her.
“You have the gift for magic, Elizabeth.” The witch said. “Just like your mother.”
Elizabeth’s concentration snapped back and the ball of energy faded away.
“But I haven’t told you who my mother is.” Elizabeth answered.
“Haven’t you?” The witch toyed with her. “Oh, no of course not.”
“You mentioned your cause. What is it you really want?”
“You really wish to know?" The witch answered. “Then I will tell you, plainly. Your kingdom is weak. King Lamont gives your people too much freedom, and a free people are given to the evils of excess. It all seems like great fun, until they find themselves wallowing in misery and chaos. I would bring them order and control. I would harness their selfish energies to be utilized for the greater good.”
“But would you just tell everyone what to do?” Elizabeth asked.
“What good is freedom Elizabeth? Does it feed the hungry? Does it provide shelter? Freedom allows some to prosper while others do not. I would take a measure of their freedom, but in return give them all security and equality!” The witch exclaimed.
“And what if they refuse?” Elizabeth asked.
The witch looked at her, a wicked half-grin forming on her lips.
Elizabeth was old enough to know that other kingdoms did not give their people freedom, and that without freedom people lived in slavery. Her parents had taught her the value of freedom, and the wickedness of slavery.
Elizabeth drew a breath, ready to reply, but the witch silenced her. She waved a hand in front of Elizabeth’s face, making her feel sleepy. As she drifted off, she heard the witch whisper to her, “We have company.”
Emily lowered herself into the
“Hunger for what?” Elizabeth asked.
“For power!” The witch exclaimed. “Let men have their muscles and their swords. Magic is the one thing that gives a woman power over all; it empowers the weak over the strong!"
As the witch spoke energy again crackled at her fingertips. Her excitement was clearly energizing her, and Elizabeth couldn't keep herself from staring. The witch was right, she was fascinated! She imagined what it must be like to harness such energy, such power. No one, not her parents, or the King’s Guards, or even her sister, could tell her what to do if she possessed such power.
Elizabeth banished the thought. The magic beckoned to her, but she resisted it. She had to concentrate on the pressing matter of discovering the witch’s plan.
“I admit, you're powerful,” Elizabeth said. “But why attack Highcynder? What did they do?”
“They have done plenty!” The witch yelled, as anger flashed in her eyes. “Your kingdom is not as righteous as you might think, your precious “king” not so just.”
“Really?” Elizabeth prodded. “Please, do tell.”
“He abandoned us, but, you're changing the subject again, aren't you? You're good at that, but now I know your weakness. You crave the knowledge and power that I wield.”
“Maybe, but what does it matter? I doubt you would teach me.”
“You're wrong, young one,” the witch said. “Life among the goblins can be lonely, and I need an apprentice to help with my cause. Hold out your hand.”
The webs around Elizabeth’s arm receded, allowing her to extend her open hand. The witch harnessed the energy in her hand into a ball, dancing like a blue flame, and placed it into Elizabeth’s palm. Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. The sensation in her fingers wasn’t painful at all, but rather amazing. As she focused, she made it dance around in her hand, bending it to her will. Elizabeth smiled at this, not noticing that the witch smiled with her.
“You have the gift for magic, Elizabeth.” The witch said. “Just like your mother.”
Elizabeth’s concentration snapped back and the ball of energy faded away.
“But I haven’t told you who my mother is.” Elizabeth answered.
“Haven’t you?” The witch toyed with her. “Oh, no of course not.”
“You mentioned your cause. What is it you really want?”
“You really wish to know?" The witch answered. “Then I will tell you, plainly. Your kingdom is weak. King Lamont gives your people too much freedom, and a free people are given to the evils of excess. It all seems like great fun, until they find themselves wallowing in misery and chaos. I would bring them order and control. I would harness their selfish energies to be utilized for the greater good.”
“But would you just tell everyone what to do?” Elizabeth asked.
“What good is freedom Elizabeth? Does it feed the hungry? Does it provide shelter? Freedom allows some to prosper while others do not. I would take a measure of their freedom, but in return give them all security and equality!” The witch exclaimed.
“And what if they refuse?” Elizabeth asked.
The witch looked at her, a wicked half-grin forming on her lips.
Elizabeth was old enough to know that other kingdoms did not give their people freedom, and that without freedom people lived in slavery. Her parents had taught her the value of freedom, and the wickedness of slavery.
Elizabeth drew a breath, ready to reply, but the witch silenced her. She waved a hand in front of Elizabeth’s face, making her feel sleepy. As she drifted off, she heard the witch whisper to her, “We have company.”
Emily lowered herself into the
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