Read Online The Essence Gate War: Book 01 - Adept by Michael Arnquist - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michael Arnquist
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you must realize your best chance to locate them will be to follow in their steps.”
Amric bit back another angry response contesting the debt . He needed to glean as much as he could from this man, so instead he asked, “What is this task?”
“I am coming to that, swordsman . First I must return to my initial question: Do you know why I am here? No? It is not, as you put it, for the scenery.” Morland’s lip curled in disdain. “Geographically, this city is an inconsequential little dung heap. It is making me rich, I must admit, but I will celebrate the day I leave this place behind. Being here in Keldrin’s Landing is like living in a demon’s armpit. Strategically, however, this city enjoys a number of unique properties that warrant close consideration. Very close consideration indeed.”
He trailed off, one finger caressing the base of the goblet . After a moment, Bellimar cleared his throat. Morland’s brow creased in irritation and he turned to the old man as if noticing him for the first time.
“ Your name is Bellimar, yes? How did you come by it? Surely no parent would bestow it, given its history.”
Bellimar’s smile was fixed upon his face , and he did not return the sudden looks from his companions. “You were extolling the strategic properties of this city, Morland?”
“ So I was,” Morland murmured. “Of this region, more accurately. This wart of a city just happens to be the nearest speck of civilization to the phenomenon. Are you aware that the greatest scholars among the nations are observing a marked drop in the world’s magical energies, of late?”
Amric and Halthak exchanged a blank look . Only Bellimar seemed unsurprised at the turn of the conversation.
“It is true,” Morland said. “It was gradual at first, a year or more ago, but in recent months it has accelerated. The most powerful sorcerers in all the lands are expressing concern as they can no longer draw on the same reservoirs of power they have in the past.”
“I fail to see the problem,” Amric said in a dry tone.
“Do not be a fool, boy,” the merchant snapped . “Magic is power, and our civilizations are in no small way built on that power. If this trend continues at its current rate, we face chaos and upheaval on a heretofore unseen scale.”
“There are many who theorize,” Bellimar said, his voice soft, “that magic is so intrinsic to life that, were that energy to ebb too low, our world would become a barren husk, devoid of life. Remember our discussion of auras, swordsman. Magic resonates with other magic, humming together like harmonic vibration, and we exist in accord with the energy that permeates our world. Not only will the fantastic creatures suffer from its loss. None of us would survive.”
Amric said nothing, unconvinced . A world with less magic, or no magic at all, sounded very much like an improvement to him. Morland, however, was nodding grudging approval.
“ An educated man,” he said. “Furthermore, are you aware that this region is seeing an even more marked increase in magical energies, as they decline everywhere else? So much so that sorcerous endeavors in this area have become hazardous due to their unpredictability, their sheer instability. Imagine, if you will, lighting a candle only to have it blaze up and fill the room with flame. It is as if all the magical energies in the civilized lands are being drawn to this region.”
“Perhaps even,” Bellimar said, “all the magic in the world.”
Amric shifted, uncomfortable at the thought. “Why is this occurring?”
“No one knows,” Morland said, with another appraising look at Bellimar . “But it is also behind the swell of wealth here, in Keldrin’s Landing. The area was discovered to be rich in natural resources quickly enough after Keldrin first landed here. Now, however, the gems and minerals here are imbued with essence energies at a much higher rate than anywhere and anytime in recorded history. The nations
Amric bit back another angry response contesting the debt . He needed to glean as much as he could from this man, so instead he asked, “What is this task?”
“I am coming to that, swordsman . First I must return to my initial question: Do you know why I am here? No? It is not, as you put it, for the scenery.” Morland’s lip curled in disdain. “Geographically, this city is an inconsequential little dung heap. It is making me rich, I must admit, but I will celebrate the day I leave this place behind. Being here in Keldrin’s Landing is like living in a demon’s armpit. Strategically, however, this city enjoys a number of unique properties that warrant close consideration. Very close consideration indeed.”
He trailed off, one finger caressing the base of the goblet . After a moment, Bellimar cleared his throat. Morland’s brow creased in irritation and he turned to the old man as if noticing him for the first time.
“ Your name is Bellimar, yes? How did you come by it? Surely no parent would bestow it, given its history.”
Bellimar’s smile was fixed upon his face , and he did not return the sudden looks from his companions. “You were extolling the strategic properties of this city, Morland?”
“ So I was,” Morland murmured. “Of this region, more accurately. This wart of a city just happens to be the nearest speck of civilization to the phenomenon. Are you aware that the greatest scholars among the nations are observing a marked drop in the world’s magical energies, of late?”
Amric and Halthak exchanged a blank look . Only Bellimar seemed unsurprised at the turn of the conversation.
“It is true,” Morland said. “It was gradual at first, a year or more ago, but in recent months it has accelerated. The most powerful sorcerers in all the lands are expressing concern as they can no longer draw on the same reservoirs of power they have in the past.”
“I fail to see the problem,” Amric said in a dry tone.
“Do not be a fool, boy,” the merchant snapped . “Magic is power, and our civilizations are in no small way built on that power. If this trend continues at its current rate, we face chaos and upheaval on a heretofore unseen scale.”
“There are many who theorize,” Bellimar said, his voice soft, “that magic is so intrinsic to life that, were that energy to ebb too low, our world would become a barren husk, devoid of life. Remember our discussion of auras, swordsman. Magic resonates with other magic, humming together like harmonic vibration, and we exist in accord with the energy that permeates our world. Not only will the fantastic creatures suffer from its loss. None of us would survive.”
Amric said nothing, unconvinced . A world with less magic, or no magic at all, sounded very much like an improvement to him. Morland, however, was nodding grudging approval.
“ An educated man,” he said. “Furthermore, are you aware that this region is seeing an even more marked increase in magical energies, as they decline everywhere else? So much so that sorcerous endeavors in this area have become hazardous due to their unpredictability, their sheer instability. Imagine, if you will, lighting a candle only to have it blaze up and fill the room with flame. It is as if all the magical energies in the civilized lands are being drawn to this region.”
“Perhaps even,” Bellimar said, “all the magic in the world.”
Amric shifted, uncomfortable at the thought. “Why is this occurring?”
“No one knows,” Morland said, with another appraising look at Bellimar . “But it is also behind the swell of wealth here, in Keldrin’s Landing. The area was discovered to be rich in natural resources quickly enough after Keldrin first landed here. Now, however, the gems and minerals here are imbued with essence energies at a much higher rate than anywhere and anytime in recorded history. The nations
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