Read Online The Queen of Stone: Thorn of Breland by Keith Baker - Free Book Online Page B

was assigned to the mission. Power was stored in the symbol, but it wasn’t a form of magic she was used to; it was imported from the distant land of Riedra. “It channels the powers of the mind,” the provender had said as he applied it to her skin. “It’s not like drinking a potion. You have to want it to happen.”
    Thorn placed her hand over the symbol, and this time she silenced her thoughts, pushing the pain away and focusing only on the tattoo. “Heal me.”
    She felt the lines of the symbol itch as power spread through her body. Agony was swept away by soothing warmth as the energy healed flesh and bone. The healing took only seconds, and Thorn raised her left arm, carefully flexing her fingers, then rose to her feet. Cuts, bruises, even the broken rib had been restored. “I might just move to Riedra,” Thorn murmured.
    Corpses were scattered all around her, broken remnants of human and gnoll. The scent of blood filled the air, and the vermin were already gathering, flies and pale brood-worms burrowing into the bodies.
    Thorn had seen worse sights during the war, but the carnage still gave her pause. As her gargoyle disguise faded away, she called Steel out of her glove.
    I see you’re still alive
, he said.
    “And you may have noticed that the rain of gnolls has stopped.”
    What resources did you consume in all this chaos?
    “A feather token, a healing tattoo … a spider.”
    That’s half your reserves. I hope you don’t plan on falling again soon
.
    Thorn tossed the dagger in the air, then caught it. “This was never part of the plan. I don’t recall a briefing that covered the delegates being killed before they reached the Crag. If I’m supposed to be Beren’s aide, we need Beren.”
    The guards—
    “Weren’t having much success, from what I could see. And I like to keep my options open. Someday, the Citadel just might need a warrior of legend.”
    Fine
. Thorn felt a faint shiver in her mind … a psychic sigh, perhaps?
    “As much as I enjoy these little chats, I was wondering if you had any insight into the attack. Did the Daughters do this?”
    A moment of silence lingered before Steel responded.
The Daughters of Sora Kell are unpredictable. They might do such a thing without telling our gnoll companions. But it seems unlikely. The Daughters put considerable effort into arranging this summit, and the deaths of diplomats would anger the leaders of the other nations. Unless they’re trying to start a war, I see no gain
.
    “Which means someone else is playing.”
    Indeed
, Steel said.
And if you want to stay part of it, you’d best find a way to return to the caravan
.
    “You think so?” Thorn smiled as she returned the dagger to its sheath and shifted her clothing to her envoy’s gown. This outfit was still fresh from the coach, so Thorn smeared a little blood and dirt onto the fabric. Then she pried a dented shield from the broken arm of a dead gnoll. A few gargoyles were still circling around the bridge, and Thorn used the shield to catch the light of the sun. After a few tries, she drew the attention of the scouts.
    Lured off the edge by the harpy’s song, fortunate to have that souvenir from Sharn …
Thorn composed the story in her mind as the gargoyles came to her rescue.

    “A souvenir from Sharn?” Drego Sarhain laughed. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
    Beren ir’Wynarn shook his head. “Have you been to the City of Towers, Flamebearer Sarhain? When you’re walking the edge of Skyway, staring at the hard stone a mile below, you might find that peace of mind is worth a few galifars. And I’d say it was gold well spent.”
    “I suppose so,” Drego said. “I apologize, Lady Tam. Blessings to the Flame for sparing us all.”
    Thorn’s daring attack had given the defenders the opportunity they needed to rally and destroy the remaining harpies. But three of the wagons were broken timber on the floor of the gorge. When the gargoyle carried Thorn