[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Nothing of his newfound maturity was in evidence thismorning.He looked like a little boy, frightened and lost, stiff with recognition of what might happen to himand fighting a losing battle against the growing certainty that it would.He carried a short sword and bowand arrows, but from the look on his face he might as well have been carrying Bek s weapons.Bek watched him a moment, thinking about how Ahren must feel, about the responsibility he bore asnominal leader of the expedition, then made a quick decision and climbed to his feet. I ll be right back, he told Quentin.He crossed to Ahren and greeted him with a broad grin. Another day, another adventure, he offeredbrightly. At least Ard Patrinell gave you a real sword and an ash bow. Ahren started at the sound of Bek s voice, but managed to recover a little of his lost composure. Whatdo you mean? Look what Walker gave me. Bek gestured at his dagger and sling. Any small birds or squirrels thatcome after me, I m ready for them. Ahren smiled nervously. I wish I could say the same.I can barely make my legs move.I don t knowwhat s wrong. Quentin would say you haven t hunted enough wild boar.Look, I came over to ask a favor.I want you to keep this for me. Before he could think better of it, he took off the phoenix stone and its necklace and placed them aboutAhren s neck.It was an impulsive act, one he might have reconsidered if he had allowed himself time tothink about it.The Elf looked down at the stone, then back at Bek questioningly. I m afraid I haven t been entirely honest with you, Ahren, Bek admitted.Then he told his friend arevised version of his encounter with the King of the Silver River and the gift of the phoenix stone, leavingout the parts about his sister and the spirit creature s hints of the stone s real purpose. So I do have alittle magic after all.But I ve been keeping it a secret from everyone. He shrugged. Even Quentindoesn t know about it. I can t take this from you! Ahren declared vehemently, reaching up to remove the stone and necklace.Bek stopped him, seizing his hands. Yes, you can.I want you to have it. But it isn t mine! It wasn t given to me, it was given to you! By a Faerie creature at that! His voicesoftened. It isn t right, Bek.It doesn t belong to me. Well, it doesn t belong to me, either.Not really.Consider it a loan.You can give it back to me later.Look, fair is fair.I have Quentin to protect me, and he has a talisman to help him do the job.You haveArd Patrinell, but he doesn t have any magic.The Elfstones might turn up along the way, but for now,you need something else.Why not take this? Bek could tell that the Elf wanted to accept the gift, a talisman of real magic that would give him freshconfidence and a renewed sense of purpose.Just now, Ahren needed those things more than he did.Butthe Elven prince was proud, and he would not take something from Bek if he thought it was a charity that Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlwould put his friend at risk. I can t, he repeated dully. Could you take it if I told you that Walker has given me an other magic to use, something else withwhich I can protect myself? Bek kept the truth behind the lie masked in a look of complete sincerity.Ahren shook his head doubtfully. What magic? I can t tell you.Walker won t let me.I m not even supposed to tell you I have the magic.Just trust me.I wouldn t give you the phoenix stone if it was the only real protection I had, would I? Which was true enough.The fact that he possessed the magic of the wishsong gave him somereassurance that by handing over the phoenix stone, he wasn t leaving himself entirely defenseless.Anyway, the stone hadn t been of much use to him, perhaps it would help his friend. Please, Ahren.Keep it.Look, if you promise to use it to help me if you see that I m in trouble, that willbe repayment enough.And I ll do the same for you with my magic.Quentin and I already have anagreement to look out for each other.You and I can have one, too. He waited, holding Ahren s uncertain gaze.Finally, the other boy nodded. All right.But just for a while,Bek. He ran his fingers over the stone. It s warm, like it s heating from the inside out.And so smooth. He glanced down at it a moment, then back at Bek. I think it really is magic.But maybe we won t haveto find out.Maybe we won t have to use it at all. Bek smiled agreeably, not believing his reassurances for a single moment. Maybe not. Thanks, Bek.Thanks very much. Bek was on his way back to Quentin when Walker stopped him amidships and turned him gently aside. That was very foolish, he said, not unkindly. Well intentioned, but not particularly well advised. Bek faced the Druid squarely, the set of his jaw revealing his attitude on the matter. Ahren has nothingwith which to protect himself.No magic of his own, Walker.He is my friend, and I don t see anythingwrong with giving him something that might help keep him alive. The dark face looked away. You weren t listening to me as closely as I hoped when I said that magicwasn t necessarily the key to survival here.Instincts and courage and a clear head are what will keep usalive. Bek stood his ground. Well, maybe having the phoenix stone will help him find those particularattributes.What s bothering you, Walker? The Druid shook his head. So many things I don t know where to start.But in this case, your rashnessgives me pause.Giving up magic entrusted to you by the King of the Silver River may cost you more thanyou realize.The magic of the phoenix stone wasn t intended as a defense.The King of the Silver Riverwould know, as I do, that you possess the magic of the wishsong.The stone is for something else, mostlikely something to do with your sister.Mark me well, Bek, and retrieve it as soon as you reasonablycan.Promise me. Only partially convinced, the boy nodded without enthusiasm.Too much of what the Druid had told him Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlduring their travels was suspect.This was no exception.No one could know the future or what it wouldrequire of a man.Not a spirit creature.Not even a seer like Ryer Ord Star.The best anyone could dowas reveal glimpses out of context, and those could deceive. Meanwhile, Walker said, interrupting his thoughts, I am giving you this to carry. He reached beneath his black robes and produced the Sword of Shannara.It was sheathed in a softleather scabbard, but the carving of the fist and the raised torch on the pommel were unmistakable.Bek took it from the Druid and held it out before him, staring at it. Do you think I will need it? The Druid s smile was unexpectedly bitter
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Tematy
IndexWarren Adler Wojna państwa Rose 01 Wojna państwa Rose
§ Menzel Iwona W poszukiwaniu zapachu snów 01 W poszukiwaniu zapachu snów
Lachlan M D Synowie boga 01 Synowie boga (2)
Robbins Harold Handlarze snów 01 Handlarze snow
§ Rudnicka Olga (01) Zacisze 13 Zacisze 13
Reynard Sylvain Piekło Gabriela 01 Piekło Gabriela
Kalifornijska noc 01 Kalifornijska noc Adler Elizabeth
Alexandra Bracken Mroczne umysły 01 Mroczne umysły
verne face au drapeau
A==03==POTOMKOWIE HARDCATLEA Lewis Jennifer RYZYKOWNA MISJA(amado i susanna) (2)