Read Online The Evermen Saga 01 - Enchantress by James Maxwell - Free Book Online Page A

turned to Ella. "Can you keep a secret?" Ella nodded. "I thought so. Miro, there’s a salt mine in the north, and for the next three months you’re going to be working in it."
    Miro took a deep breath. "When do I leave?"
    For a long moment, Rogan stared at Miro. "You do want to stay, don’t you?” he finally said. “Miro, you wouldn’t last a week in the salt mines. But it’s good for me to know that under that stubborn surface you’re willing to do what it takes. Sending you to the salt mines is the word I’m going to put around." Ella breathed a sigh of relief, but waited for the catch. "In reality, I’m giving you a choice. Either leave the Pens today, or I’m sending you to Tingara, as a guard with our delegation to the Imperial Chorum. Who knows, you might learn something."
    Miro’s face showed cautious hope. "I’m going to Tingara?"
    "What will he have to do?" Ella said.
    Rogan grinned at her. "Looks like you’re the one with the questions. He’ll be gone for at least three months. He’ll need to serve and protect, and fight if need be, although that’s unlikely. And most of all, he’ll need to do what his officers tell him. Miro, if I get a bad report about you, there’ll be nothing I can do. You’ll be out."
    "I understand." Miro nodded.
    "Just keep with the story. You’re going to the salt mines for three months. I can place you as a normal guard with the other Alturan soldiers. They’ll just assume you’re a new recruit. Keep your wits about you and you’ll do fine."
    Ella couldn’t decide how to feel. Three months! She felt happy for Miro, becoming a soldier had always been his dream, but she couldn’t imagine being away from her brother for such a long time, with only Brandon for company.
    She looked at his face; she could tell he was happy that he would be taking a sword into the field, even if it was largely ceremonial.
    "Thank you," said Miro.
    "Just see that I don’t regret it," the Blademaster said. "When you leave today, take your things with you. We won’t be seeing each other for quite a while.
    "You won’t regret it. I promise."
    Blademaster Rogan grunted and left.
    Ella helped Miro gather his few possessions.
    "What’s the Imperial Chorum? It’s like a big meeting of the houses isn’t it?"
    "When something important is happening and requires a meeting of the High Lords, either the houses or the imperial house can call the Chorum. It’s held in Tingara, in the imperial capital, Seranthia. The Primate of the Assembly of Templars mediates."
    "Why has this one been called?"
    "No one knows."
    "Do you have to go? Actually, don’t answer that."
    He looked at her. "You know I do. If I had to leave the Pens then what would I do? When I’m a soldier and you’re an enchantress we’ll be able to move out of that tiny hut in the woods."
    "I like Mallorin," Ella said indignantly.
    "It’s not enough," Miro whispered. Ella held her breath. It was so seldom that he spoke like this. Sometimes she thought he’d buried his feelings so deeply that she’d never penetrate the wall he’d built himself.
    "We’re happy, Miro, that’s the important thing isn’t it?"
    "Happy?" Miro was pensive for a moment. "I’ll be happy when I’m a soldier and can hold my head high."

5
     
    Perhaps having the skin boiled off your bones will help you remember. People, take note, even the High Elementalist can forget his duty. You think renewing a Lexicon is difficult? Try keeping Raj Petrya secure from our enemies.
    — High Lord Apit Neffer at the trial of High Elementalist Popan Mimphet, 440 Y.E.
     
     
    I T was the time of the rains.
    The sky opened and water came out. The Sarsen grew dramatically high, its banks near bursting. It became impossible to move on the roads; only transport by ferry was possible.
    " Tish-tassine ," Ella spoke the rune, and feeble light glowed from the nightlamp. It barely provided enough light for her to see. Their old heatplate was little better; water took over an