Age of Swords (The Legends of the First Empire #2)

Suri looked up confused. “Like what?”

“Mystics aren’t healers, child,” Padera explained. “Tura knew some of the healing arts. They understand herbs and such, but that’s not their calling.”

“No, not as a mystic,” Brin said. She took a step closer, glancing nervously at Padera as if she was uncomfortable speaking around the old woman.

Brin focused on Suri and said, “What you…what you did when we were leaving Belgreig, and the other things, when we were down in Neith. Well, if you could do all that…couldn’t you…” Brin glanced at Arion. “I don’t understand how it works or what’s possible, but it seems like you and Arion can do just about anything, as long as you aren’t trapped in a prison and cut off from…sources. And here you aren’t. I was just wondering…is there anything that you can do? I mean, have you tried?”

Suri hadn’t. The thought had never crossed her mind. The moment it did, the second Brin said it, she was gripped by both excitement and fear. She had no idea how to go about healing someone, no clue at all. She might make things worse, but holding Arion’s cold hand, looking at her pale face…Is worse even possible?

“If you can do something,” Padera told her, “do it soon. She’s teetering, and more often than not they fall on the far side.”

Suri’s hands trembled. It wouldn’t be like opening and closing the ground, and it wouldn’t be like creating a dragon from her best friend. She didn’t have a weave carved in stone to follow or a mentor to whisper in her ear. She would have to guess, and guess, and guess all the way through, blindly groping for a path that might not even be there. She would be starting with a single loop of string and trying to make a specific pattern, one she’d never seen before. If she failed, Arion might die because of her. Can I live after killing them both?

Suri sat, unsure of what to do. Leaving things alone had to be the wiser choice. If she did nothing and Arion died, at least that death wouldn’t be on her hands.

Brin and Padera watched her expectantly. She couldn’t take their stares and closed her eyes to block them out.

You’re just afraid. That’s your biggest problem. You’ve touched the chords, know what they feel like. You understand the immense power residing there, and you’ve seen what that power can do. You’re afraid that by using the Art you’ll hurt someone you love. It’s that fear that’s holding you back, and it’s that fear you must face and overcome to gain your wings.

She rubbed Arion’s hand. It felt so cold, so dead.

What should I do? Tura, Minna, Grand Mother of All. Please, help me decide. What should I do?

“Look at that,” Padera said. “First one I’ve seen down this way. Thought the sea winds would be too strong for them. Fragile, you know.”

“It’s beautiful,” Brin said.

Suri opened her eyes and caught a flicker of movement to her right as a butterfly fluttered in under the wool. Big, beautiful wings of green and gold were outlined in rich black. The visitor made no sound, just hovered for a time. In all her years, Suri had never seen one like it. Then as they watched, the butterfly turned and fluttered out again.

“Just stopping by to say hello, I guess,” Padera remarked.

“I don’t think so.” Suri took a deep breath, raised her hands and said, “Hold on, Arion. I’m coming.”





Glossary of Terms and Names





Agave: The prison of an ancient one deep in the heart of Elan, discovered by the dwarfs about six thousand years in the past.

Age of Lothian: The time during which Lothian ruled as the fane of the Fhrey people. Lothian’s reign began following the death of Fenelyus and after he prevailed in an Uli Vermar, when he was challenged by Zephyron of the Instarya.

Aiden (Fhrey, Miralyith): One of the leaders of the Gray Cloaks, a secret Miralyith society.

Airenthenon: The domed and pillared structure where the Aquila holds meetings. Although the Forest Throne and the Door predate it, the Airenthenon is the oldest building in Estramnadon.

Alon Rhist: The chief outpost on the border between Rhulyn and Avrlyn. Staffed by the Instarya, the fortress acts as a bulwark preventing the Rhunes from crossing into the Fhrey lands. It was named after the fourth fane of the Fhrey, who died during the Dherg War.

Alward (Rhune, Nadak): The new leader of Nadak, one of the two clans destroyed by the Fhrey.

Alysin: One of the three realms of the afterlife. A paradise where brave warriors go after death.

Amphora: A delicate storage vessel with an oval body that tapers near its base. It has two handles near its top.

Ancient one: A being whom the Dherg claim predates the gods of Elan. He was found by the Dherg, locked deep underground in the Agave.

Anwir (Fhrey, Asendwayr): Quiet and reserved, he is the only non-Instarya Fhrey member of Nyphron’s Galantians. He has a penchant for knots and uses a net for a weapon.

Aquila: Literally “the place of choosing.” Originally created as a formalization and public recognition of the group of Fhrey who had been assisting Gylindora Fane for more than a century. Leaders of each tribe act as general counsels, making suggestions and assisting in the overall administration of the empire. Senior council members are elected by their tribes or appointed by the fane. Junior members are chosen by the seniors. The Aquila holds no direct power, as the fane’s authority is as absolute as Ferrol Himself. However, the Aquila does wield great influence over the succession of power. It is the Curator and Conservator who provide a challenger access to the Horn of Gylindora.

Arion (Fhrey, Miralyith): The former tutor to Prince Mawyndule? and onetime student of Fenelyus. Also known as Cenzlyor. Arion was sent to Rhulyn to bring the outlaw Nyphron to justice and was injured when a Rhune named Malcolm hit her in the head with a rock. She fought Gryndal, a fellow Miralyith, when he threatened to destroy Dahl Rhen and kill all its residents.

Art, the: Magic that allows the caster to tap the forces of nature. In Fhrey society, it’s practiced by members of the Miralyith tribe. Goblins who wield this power are referred to as oberdaza. The only known Rhune to possess any Artistic ability is the mystic known as Suri.

Artist: A practitioner of the Art.

Asendwayr: The Fhrey tribe whose members specialize in hunting. A few are stationed on the frontier to provide meat for the Instarya.

Asica: A long Fhrey garment similar to a robe. Its numerous wraps and ties allow it to be worn in a number of configurations.

Atlatl: A device used to extend the distance a spear can be thrown.

Aurochs: A breed of large ancient cattle.

Avempartha: The Fhrey tower created by Fenelyus atop a great waterfall on the Nidwalden River. It can tap the force of rushing water to amplify the use of the Art.