Tracy Falbe The Rys Chronicles 1 Union of Renegades

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wanted to say yes to Dreibrand s question. Shan longed to be free of Onja s
tyranny and guide the rys according to his vision, but he knew that when he
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challenged Onja again there would be no room for error.
With regret Shan said, The time for my challenge has not yet come, but it is
close. At long last I sense that Onja has weakened. She still appears to be
great, but like the old tree in the forest, she has rotted inside and waits
only for a storm strong enough to blow her down. I will side with you and
Miranda and help you get to my human friends.
Where will we go? Dreibrand wondered.
I will take you west to the Temu Domain. Taischek, the King of the
Temu Tribe, is my closest human friend and he will shelter you if I ask it,
Shan explained.
I do not ask for charity. I will earn my keep, Dreibrand offered. I am a
trained warrior.
You are a mercenary then? Shan inquired.
Dreibrand averted his gaze uncomfortably, wondering how best to explain
himself. He answered, I am now. In my homeland of Atrophane I
was an officer in the military, but I resigned because I wanted to explore the
Wilderness.
Shan considered the simplistic answer, guessing that Dreibrand left out some
details. He studied Dreibrand with a piercing gaze and saw an intelligent and
ambitious man, and he decided the stranger might have much to offer.
Intruding upon the rys s contemplative state, Dreibrand said, How will we get
away?
Onja regularly spends time in deep meditation. Next time she does this, we
will leave. If I am with you, the rys soldiers will not harm you. But we must
get out of Jingten before Onja notices, and that is the difficult part, Shan
said.
What will happen if she does notice us? Dreibrand asked.
She may try to kill you with her magic, Shan replied.
Can she do that? cried Dreibrand.
Yes. But I can shield you. Her killing range is not as wide as it used to be.
As long as we get away from the city our danger will be minimal,
Shan said.
What if she follows? Dreibrand asked.
Unlikely. Onja has not gone any farther from the city than the Tomb of
Dacian in living memory, Shan said.
Dreibrand realized he would have to trust Shan completely for their safety.
The thought of magic striking at him from far away was daunting, and Onja s
power to enslave the very spirit made his courage waver. But
Dreibrand could not sit by and let the rys Queen keep Miranda s children
because they entertained her.
When can we leave? he said.
Maybe tonight, Shan answered.
I will have to discuss this with Miranda first. Her son is ill, and she did
not want to travel last night when I proposed we escape, Dreibrand said.
Shan frowned. Do not discuss it with her. We must not speak of this when we
get back to Jingten. I will know when the opportunity to escape
has come, and I will get you then. If Miranda wants to escape, she will have
to travel whenever the time comes.
But I must tell her I have made arrangements with you, Dreibrand insisted.
Speak of our plan and you risk discovery, Shan said bluntly. Hint to her if
you must, but do not talk about it.
Reluctantly, Dreibrand nodded. If he and Shan had to talk on a mountainside,
then he had to accept that they could not talk in the city.
I thank you, Shan, he said sincerely.
Thank me after we escape. Now, let me be completely honest with you,
Dreibrand. Helping you is very risky for me and for my friendship, I expect
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friendship, Shan said.
How do you mean? Dreibrand asked.
Shan explained, Soon I will be ready to challenge Onja for the throne.
But to make my challenge successful many things will have to be done, which I
will explain later. And I will need all of my friends.
Dreibrand understood. The rys s arrangement was not so alien. For his favor,
he wanted loyalty. You want me to serve you in your war? he surmised.
Yes. And the rewards for victory will be great very great, Shan promised.
I suppose the King of Jingten would have much to give, Dreibrand thought. He
hated to make a decision when his understanding of the conflict was so vague,
but if he had to choose a side, then he would choose.
He had to find a place to fit into this strange land, and Shan s offer sounded
good.
I asked for his help. I have to accept his terms, Dreibrand reminded himself.
Despite his fear and uncertainty, it felt good to have a friend.
Onja made my decision for me yesterday. I will not serve her and I will never
call her Goddess. I will be your friend and ally as you ask,
Dreibrand declared and offered the rys his hand.
The rys grasped his hand firmly, and they were agreed.
This is good! This is good! Shan cried happily. I knew when I saw you that
it was a good sign. The Age of Onja will soon close.
The clouds pulled away from the mountainside, and the sun blazed at its
zenith. The sky opened, and Dreibrand could see the top of the world.
On the opposite side of the valley, the icy peaks of the Rysamand reached to
frigid heights and an invincible glacier held a plateau in a permanent grasp.
Shan could tell that Dreibrand admired the magnificent view, and he pivoted to
point at the beautiful peaks. That is Mount L cha and that is [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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