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.I knew only the chill air, fatigue in my thighs asthe path steepened, and the overwhelming smell of damp.Flashes of false light burst before my eyes occasionally, but they illuminatednothing.We stumbled sometimes.Mostly the path was smooth, as if cleared by humanhands.Finally Cedar paused.You may use this brand to guide yourself now.He hovered over a torch set intoa wall bracket.The oilsoaked rags of the wick had nearly rotted clear of theshaft.I lit the remnants eagerly, needing to restore my sense of self with thebalance of my other senses.The moment fire touched the wick, Cedardisappeared in a snap, like a lantern shutter closing.The fire blinded me for several moments.Bit by bit, my surroundings came intoview.The cave ended in a circular room with toosmooth dirt walls.Stoutwooden braces supported the low ceiling.On the far wall, a crude ladder hadbeen cut into rock and soil.Strategically placed rocks in the wall providedthe only handholds.Above them, a wooden trapdoor sealed the rough rockceiling.I laughed in relief.Cedar had brought me back to the fortress.Thetrapdoor undoubtedly led to the storage cellar beneath the kitchen hut.Tension and uncertainty flowed out of me.I sank onto the bottom step, tootired to stand up anymore.Newynog sat at my feet, pushing her huge head into my lap.I scratched herears and buried my face in her neck fur.Ifound myself rhythmically combing the soft underfur free of the coarser guardhairs. Well, Newynog, what do we do now? Do we climb up and announce to everyone inthe household that a secret escape route exists, or do we go back to the pooland come home the normal way? Newynog did not want to climb those steps.Neither did I. Let s see if thewolves have given up, shall we? The dog bounded ahead of me, eager to be outof the cave.The sun set that evening in a glorious display of pink purple, and blue.Ilingered at the fringes of the forest, watching for the first stars to burstforth.Newynog leaned against me affectionately as I paused, her tonguelolling, eyes half closed.Berminia and Marnia had carried baskets filled with fragrant flowers andgreenery back to the fortress earlier.I kept the herbs of purification closeby my side.I would be the one to prepare them, ignite them, and use theiressence to cleanse my new home.My intimacy with every aspect of the spellswould strengthen them.The presence of the faeries as I harvested the herbs would have added an evengreater blessing.But Cedar and his companions did not show themselves againafter I safely left the cave.The wolves had disappeared as well.Not even their scent lingered within theclearing around the pool.Page 135 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlWoodsmoke and the aroma of roast pork greeted my nose this close to home.Without Carradoc waiting for me, CaerTair Cigfran truly felt like my home.More than Avalon, more than Lord Ector svilla.I hurried forward.The wonder of my discovery of the pool and the cavestill filled me with awe.Curiosity, too.Who was the Chosen and whatsecrets awaited him? I knew the Lady awaited a man.The treasure she guardedcould only be borrowed from her by a man.Was this the secret, sacred place Papa needed me to guard? I laughed a little.The Lady didn t need me to protect the pool and cave.She and the faerieshad done a remarkable job of it so far.Diones the steward opened the postern gate near the kitchens for me.He bithis lip anxiously as he scanned the open fields around the fortress for signsof approaching enemies.I fought the urge to smile at his trepidation.We were too far west forSaxons.Too far inland far Irish pirates.The Picts and Gaels had otherconcerns north of the Wall at Dun Edin.My newly awakened magical senses wouldhave warned me if other renegades and outlaws approached.Wolves couldn tclimb the exterior walls. I see that the central simnai is drawing nicely now, I said, pointing to thecolumn of smoke rising from the hearth in the hall. Yes, Lady.The mencleared it of soot and bird nests, he mumbled, keeping his eyes on theground. Did something go wrong with the sweeping? I asked sharply.His aura pulsedwith the dark colors of fear. Yes, Lady, he whispered. What? The ravens, Lady.They were not pleased that we disturbed their nests withnew hatchlings. He still didn t look at me. I didn t expect them to be happy. Yes, Lady. I tapped my foot, waiting for further explanation.He cleared his throat andshuffled his feet, clinging to the gate as if it would lend him inspiration orprotection. You d better tell me, Diones.What went wrong? The stable lad, Peter, fellfrom the ladder, Lady.One of the birds flew right into his face and knockedhim off. Is he hurt badly? Why didn t someone come for me? I hurried into thekitchen
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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
§ Berg Elizabeth Dom otwarty
201. Cox Maggie Szkocka posiadlosc