[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
He was also impressed by the way she used her voice the few times
Drake encouraged her to sing. No matter what she was singing, Nico was
affected deeply by the words and moods of the selections. When she sang a
lament, he felt as if his heart would break, when she sang a jig, he wanted to
dance and sing along. And when she sang a fight song, he felt ready to take on
Lucan and his entire army single-handed.
She could sway people with the magic of her voice, just like Drake had
claimed. Nico became a believer during that long ride, as Drake put her
through her paces, all without ever pushing her or letting her realize she was
being tested. Drake s pointedly raised eyebrows spoke eloquently to
Nico of the depth of their discovery. Riki had a powerful gift that impressed
even Drake, who was used to such things. That alone brought home the
importance of her gift to Nico.
As twilight rolled over the land and barren rock gave way to alpine trees,
Drake indicated they were nearing their destination. They traveled a bit more
slowly then, watching for the challenge Drake assured them would soon come.
The trees grew thicker and the road more narrow, when suddenly their path was
blocked.
Who seeks to enter here? A Jinn warrior materialized out of the mist.
Nico stopped the wagon, but it was Drake who took the lead, standing in the
seat to put himself between any possible arrow and Riki who was still in the
back of the wagon.
Drake of the Five Lands, he announced in a strong voice.
And who is this with you?
I am Nick, Swordmaster of Melnibown, Swordsinger of Eastbourne, Knifemaster
of Westerdown& Shall I go on? A raised eyebrow challenged the Jinn warrior
who was smiling now, widely.
Page 67
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
I have heard of those three men. Interesting to see them all before me
claiming to be one person. Can you prove your titles?
Before the soldier could blink, a knife thunked into the ground at his feet.
He bent to pick it up, then threw it straight at Nico, but he was prepared.
Shifting lightly, he raised his hands and caught the flying knife between
them, without flinching, evading or drawing a single drop of blood. Nico held
up his uninjured palms to show the man, then sheathed the knife back into its
hidden resting place over his chest.
Well met, Blademaster, the Jinn warrior finally conceded. I am
Zachari. I lead the warriors of the Black Dragon Clan. You will be welcome
among our people for Drake s sake and your own.
There is another. Possibly, the One we seek. A woman s voice rang through
the mist-shrouded trees off to the side of the track. Bring her forward. A
tall, raven-haired woman strode from the trees. She was stunning and had
emerald green eyes. She wore the gold jewelry of her
Clan, a pendant shaped into a dragon, wings stretched in flight. Nico s gaze
lit upon it and he smiled, despite the demand to see Riki.
You have a woman with you? Zachari demanded, looking from Drake to
Nico and back again.
She s mine, Nico growled, making his possession clear.
But the woman raised her eyebrow, grinning at him slyly. Isn t that for her
to decide?
A hand on his back urged Nico to stand aside so Riki could make her way out
from the back of the wagon. Nico jumped down and offered his hand to help her
alight. Bravely, she faced the other woman. She was shorter and thinner than
the voluptuous black-haired beauty, but they both
had a regal bearing that was unmistakable. Nico was never prouder of her than
in that moment.
I m Riki, she said simply. Nico s mate.
The dragon inside him roared while Nico took Riki s hand in his and raised it
to his lips. How he loved her! His brave, beautiful mate.
Turning back to the Jinn, Nico was shocked to see both Zachari and the woman
lower themselves to one knee before them. Riki looked similarly surprised,
allowing Nico to pull her backward, into his embrace as they waited to see
what was afoot.
Friends, what means this? Drake spoke into the silence.
The woman looked up and smiled, though tears leaked down her face.
We welcome you, Arikia, the one who was foretold. We ve long awaited your
arrival.
How do you know my name? Riki breathed.
The woman laughed. The Jinn have ways of knowing. We of the Black
Dragon Clan have our own additional methods of learning things& cousin.
Cousin? Riki was clearly confused, as was Nico.
In answer, the woman chuckled, raising her arms as a black mist enveloped her
body. Within moments, she stood before them a black dragon. Nico felt the
threat she posed and without thought transformed himself, facing down the
female black who threatened his mate.
The Jinn warrior jumped back and suddenly a legion of Jinn soldiers emerged
from the trees to surround
the wagon and the two black dragons who now eyed each other warily.
They faced off, tension clear in every line of their sleek bodies, each unsure
of the other s motives, until a small, brave woman strode between them. Riki.
She put her small hand on Nico s scaled knee, the connection comforting even
as he watched the other dragon. He had no idea of this startling woman s
intentions. But no one shifted to dragon form without good reason.
Riki faced the dragon-woman bravely. Please, can we talk about this
Page 68
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
as humans? We have no idea what s going on here and we need to understand.
The tension diffused as the woman shifted back to human form. Nico followed
suit, though he still eyed her warily. But the woman only smiled.
You, then, are our cousin as well. Be welcome, Prince Nicolas, and forgive me
for alarming you. I have dreamed of this day. We have all dreamed of this
day. She gestured to the warriors watching all around. I
am Estella, Steward of the Black Dragon Clan.
You can shift, Riki observed with wonder.
Of course, can t you?
Sadly, Riki shook her head. I don t think so.
But Estella only laughed. Don t worry, little cousin. It comes to females
later than males.
Really? Riki looked so hopeful, Nico hated to get her hopes up in case this
startling woman was wrong.
Enter and be welcome, dragon-cousins. Now I understand why the seer guided us
to include Drake among the Brotherhood. He was the instrument that would lead
us to you. Thank you, Drake. She turned to
Drake, who had also come down off the wagon when the warriors appeared, and
kissed him soundly. We are again in your debt. Come, let us find comfort.
Zachari, have your men take the horses and wagon while
I show our new friends to the camp.
Riki was startled to find an entire city of brightly colored tents as they
emerged from the line of trees. She felt a tingle against her skin that warned
her magic was in the air. No other way could this many people and tents remain
hidden, she reasoned. The Jinn were rumored to have a great deal of magic and
Riki could easily see and feel the rumors were true. She had always been
sensitive to the use of magic and her senses had only grown more acute as
Loralie had done her dastardly work with
Lucan.
Each time the North Witch used her power, Riki had felt it like a blow to her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl ocenkijessi.opx.pl
He was also impressed by the way she used her voice the few times
Drake encouraged her to sing. No matter what she was singing, Nico was
affected deeply by the words and moods of the selections. When she sang a
lament, he felt as if his heart would break, when she sang a jig, he wanted to
dance and sing along. And when she sang a fight song, he felt ready to take on
Lucan and his entire army single-handed.
She could sway people with the magic of her voice, just like Drake had
claimed. Nico became a believer during that long ride, as Drake put her
through her paces, all without ever pushing her or letting her realize she was
being tested. Drake s pointedly raised eyebrows spoke eloquently to
Nico of the depth of their discovery. Riki had a powerful gift that impressed
even Drake, who was used to such things. That alone brought home the
importance of her gift to Nico.
As twilight rolled over the land and barren rock gave way to alpine trees,
Drake indicated they were nearing their destination. They traveled a bit more
slowly then, watching for the challenge Drake assured them would soon come.
The trees grew thicker and the road more narrow, when suddenly their path was
blocked.
Who seeks to enter here? A Jinn warrior materialized out of the mist.
Nico stopped the wagon, but it was Drake who took the lead, standing in the
seat to put himself between any possible arrow and Riki who was still in the
back of the wagon.
Drake of the Five Lands, he announced in a strong voice.
And who is this with you?
I am Nick, Swordmaster of Melnibown, Swordsinger of Eastbourne, Knifemaster
of Westerdown& Shall I go on? A raised eyebrow challenged the Jinn warrior
who was smiling now, widely.
Page 67
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
I have heard of those three men. Interesting to see them all before me
claiming to be one person. Can you prove your titles?
Before the soldier could blink, a knife thunked into the ground at his feet.
He bent to pick it up, then threw it straight at Nico, but he was prepared.
Shifting lightly, he raised his hands and caught the flying knife between
them, without flinching, evading or drawing a single drop of blood. Nico held
up his uninjured palms to show the man, then sheathed the knife back into its
hidden resting place over his chest.
Well met, Blademaster, the Jinn warrior finally conceded. I am
Zachari. I lead the warriors of the Black Dragon Clan. You will be welcome
among our people for Drake s sake and your own.
There is another. Possibly, the One we seek. A woman s voice rang through
the mist-shrouded trees off to the side of the track. Bring her forward. A
tall, raven-haired woman strode from the trees. She was stunning and had
emerald green eyes. She wore the gold jewelry of her
Clan, a pendant shaped into a dragon, wings stretched in flight. Nico s gaze
lit upon it and he smiled, despite the demand to see Riki.
You have a woman with you? Zachari demanded, looking from Drake to
Nico and back again.
She s mine, Nico growled, making his possession clear.
But the woman raised her eyebrow, grinning at him slyly. Isn t that for her
to decide?
A hand on his back urged Nico to stand aside so Riki could make her way out
from the back of the wagon. Nico jumped down and offered his hand to help her
alight. Bravely, she faced the other woman. She was shorter and thinner than
the voluptuous black-haired beauty, but they both
had a regal bearing that was unmistakable. Nico was never prouder of her than
in that moment.
I m Riki, she said simply. Nico s mate.
The dragon inside him roared while Nico took Riki s hand in his and raised it
to his lips. How he loved her! His brave, beautiful mate.
Turning back to the Jinn, Nico was shocked to see both Zachari and the woman
lower themselves to one knee before them. Riki looked similarly surprised,
allowing Nico to pull her backward, into his embrace as they waited to see
what was afoot.
Friends, what means this? Drake spoke into the silence.
The woman looked up and smiled, though tears leaked down her face.
We welcome you, Arikia, the one who was foretold. We ve long awaited your
arrival.
How do you know my name? Riki breathed.
The woman laughed. The Jinn have ways of knowing. We of the Black
Dragon Clan have our own additional methods of learning things& cousin.
Cousin? Riki was clearly confused, as was Nico.
In answer, the woman chuckled, raising her arms as a black mist enveloped her
body. Within moments, she stood before them a black dragon. Nico felt the
threat she posed and without thought transformed himself, facing down the
female black who threatened his mate.
The Jinn warrior jumped back and suddenly a legion of Jinn soldiers emerged
from the trees to surround
the wagon and the two black dragons who now eyed each other warily.
They faced off, tension clear in every line of their sleek bodies, each unsure
of the other s motives, until a small, brave woman strode between them. Riki.
She put her small hand on Nico s scaled knee, the connection comforting even
as he watched the other dragon. He had no idea of this startling woman s
intentions. But no one shifted to dragon form without good reason.
Riki faced the dragon-woman bravely. Please, can we talk about this
Page 68
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
as humans? We have no idea what s going on here and we need to understand.
The tension diffused as the woman shifted back to human form. Nico followed
suit, though he still eyed her warily. But the woman only smiled.
You, then, are our cousin as well. Be welcome, Prince Nicolas, and forgive me
for alarming you. I have dreamed of this day. We have all dreamed of this
day. She gestured to the warriors watching all around. I
am Estella, Steward of the Black Dragon Clan.
You can shift, Riki observed with wonder.
Of course, can t you?
Sadly, Riki shook her head. I don t think so.
But Estella only laughed. Don t worry, little cousin. It comes to females
later than males.
Really? Riki looked so hopeful, Nico hated to get her hopes up in case this
startling woman was wrong.
Enter and be welcome, dragon-cousins. Now I understand why the seer guided us
to include Drake among the Brotherhood. He was the instrument that would lead
us to you. Thank you, Drake. She turned to
Drake, who had also come down off the wagon when the warriors appeared, and
kissed him soundly. We are again in your debt. Come, let us find comfort.
Zachari, have your men take the horses and wagon while
I show our new friends to the camp.
Riki was startled to find an entire city of brightly colored tents as they
emerged from the line of trees. She felt a tingle against her skin that warned
her magic was in the air. No other way could this many people and tents remain
hidden, she reasoned. The Jinn were rumored to have a great deal of magic and
Riki could easily see and feel the rumors were true. She had always been
sensitive to the use of magic and her senses had only grown more acute as
Loralie had done her dastardly work with
Lucan.
Each time the North Witch used her power, Riki had felt it like a blow to her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]