Read Online The Legend of Asahiel: Book 02 - The Obsidian Key by Eldon Thompson - Free Book Online Page B

chain you now wear. Without the attached heartstone, the power of the enchantment is latent, but can be called upon by one who knows how. Thus I could not only check on the status of the seal, but could use it to track you down when the time came.”
    His eyes shifted back to Torin. Sure enough, their gaze hardened.
    “Never did I imagine my return would come under these circumstances. Even after I discerned that something had gone wrong with the linking magic, I rejected the notion that the seal itself might be broken. Nonetheless, I came with all haste to inspect it for myself. As you can see, that decision nearly cost me my life.”
    Marisha gripped Torin’s arm with reflexive concern. “The Illychar?”
    Darinor nodded. “The first had emerged and scattered weeks before. But in the ruined depths, a large brood lay in ambush for those they knew must come. I escaped only narrowly before coming for the Pendant in search of answers—many of which I found along the way.”
    “Hold on,” Torin said. “You mean to suggest that the same Illychar who were trapped three thousand years ago are still alive today?”
    The other flared with impatience. “Have you heard nothing I’ve said? They do not feed. They do not age. They kill among themselves, certainly, but for every coil that is felled, innumerable are the legions of Illysp just waiting to raise it up again. As long as the seal held, they could do no further harm. But you, my young fool, have single-handedly let loose their horror upon all of us.”
    Torin felt Marisha’s restraining hand as he tensed in bitter frustration.“What about you?” he demanded. “If the secret of the Sword was to be so closely guarded, why did you go around telling of it?”
    It was Darinor’s turn to betray uncertainty, and Torin relished it.
    “Or do you not remember? Twelve years ago. Not long, I’m guessing, after you abandoned your daughter. You came to my village, Diln, in the Kalgren Forest west of here, where you spent the night telling stories of the Dragon Wars, the ancient Finlorians, the Swords of Asahiel…”
    A squinting Darinor waggled a crooked finger at him. “You. You’re the youth who asked me afterward if the Swords remained, or if they were merely legend.”
    It was a small triumph, but Torin took it. “Had you told me then that the blades did not exist, this might never have happened.”
    Darinor chuckled, a subtle, scoffing sound that barely carried past his own beard. “Then cast upon me a measure of your blame,” he agreed. “Although I daresay such common myths have been shared countless times and by many others besides me. With you alone did it result in the plundering of the Sword.”
    Torin’s scowl deepened. He considered pressing the attack, but decided against it. His gaze slipped to the proof of his guilt, resting in his lap, and he lost himself in its flaming depths. The Sword’s crimson radiance bathed him as he studied the eternal fire that swirled within the polished blade.
    “You seem to have all the answers,” he said, “so tell me this. In the fight against Sabaoth, how did Algorath trigger the Sword’s wrath?”
    Darinor shook his head. “My ancestors and others have spent centuries pondering that question. None have found an answer. The first Vandari, those who served as generals during the Dragon Wars, are the last to have commanded the full force and fury of the blades. They did not share that knowledge, even among those who followed in their footsteps, for fear of the destruction to be wrought by their misuse. As they died out and disappeared, their secrets vanished with them.”
    Torin sagged. He should have expected as much. For it was the one riddle he most wanted answered. Still, there were plenty more where that had come from. “Well then, what of—”
    “No more questions!” Darinor barked, with such sudden force as to startle his listeners. “I have told you already more than you need know. The Illysp are upon us.