Read Online The Shadow Of What Was Lost by James Islington - Free Book Online

bound by the Treaty to turn you in. You know
that.”
    Davian opened his mouth to
respond, but Ilseth held up a hand, forestalling his protest. “Even if I’m
wrong, and you can trust the Elders not to say anything - do you really think
Elder Olin would just let you go? Leave the school without a Shackle, unbound
by the Fourth Tenet, with no explanation, on your word? Even on mine? You can
trust me because you know I’m not lying. No-one else has that
advantage.”
    Davian hesitated. Ilseth was
right; none of the Elders would just let him leave, no matter how much trust
there was between them.
    He acknowledged the statement
with a terse nod. He was trapped, underwater with nowhere to surface. The
entire conversation felt surreal.
    Ilseth watched him closely. “I
know this is a lot to take in,” he said, “ but I have to know. Will you go?”
    Davian shook his head, not
wanting to have to make the decision. “What of the people here? What will you
tell them?”
    “Nothing.” Ilseth’s tone was
firm. “They will think you’ve simply run away for fear of becoming a Shadow -
we both know it's common enough. They’ll send people to look for you, but Tol
Athian doesn’t have the resources to waste on runaways for long. At worst, they
will tell Administration... but you’d need to be avoiding run-ins with them
anyway.”
    Davian’s stomach twisted. Asha.
Wirr. What would they think? He couldn’t go and explain what was happening now;
even if there was time, he had no doubt that they would try to stop him.
    He hesitated, then looked Ilseth
in the eye. “If I go, you need to promise me you will tell my friends why I
left. They can keep a secret.”
    “The two I saw you with earlier,
I assume.” Ilseth sighed. “They know of your ability?”
    “Yes.”
    There was silence as Ilseth
thought for a moment, adjusting his glasses absently as he did so. “Very well.
I’d advise against it, but if it will make your decision easier, I will speak
to them after the Trials tomorrow. You have my word.”
    Davian nodded. It did make the
decision easier – not palatable, not comfortable, but it did help.
    And, he realised with surprise,
he’d made that decision. Ilseth hadn’t lied once. The chance to finally
confront this strange ability he had, the chance to be around people who could
tell him something about the Augurs – he had longed for it for some
time. And compared to what would happen if he stayed….
    “So. North,” he said quietly,
hefting the cube in his hand.
    “Yes,” said Ilseth with a visible
flash of relief. He obviously hadn’t been certain that Davian would go. “I was
told only that you need to head northward for as long as it takes, and that you
will know exactly where to go when the time comes.” He spread his hands in an
apologetic gesture. “I hate to be so cryptic, but that is all the information I
have.”
    Davian just nodded. He was
accepting so much else on faith, the vagueness of the directions seemed hardly
surprising. He looked around his room, mind clearer now that he knew his
course. “It will take me a few minutes to gather my things.” He paused.
“Someone will be on duty at the gate.”
    “Leave that to me.” Ilseth drew a
small pouch from beneath his robe. It clinked as he tossed it to Davian. “For
your journey. Stay away from towns where you can, but you’ll need to buy food,
and there will be some nights where the only option is an inn.”
    Davian peered inside. A number of
gold coins glittered in the heavy pouch – enough to feed him indefinitely, and
more. A small fortune.
    "Fates," he breathed, a
little stunned. “Thank-you.”
    Ilseth stood, laying a hand on
Davian’s shoulder. “If you can learn to become a true Augur, lad, then it’s
worth it a hundred times over.” He headed for the door. “Give me a quarter hour
to take care of the guards, then leave. No later, mind you. I won’t be able to
distract them for long.” He paused. “And be very careful