Free THREE DROPS OF BLOOD by Michelle L. Levigne Page B

and comfort and guard, as equally as Meghianna. The
world needed all those of the Warhawk's bloodline, if it was to survive the creeping pestilence of
the Encindi presence.
    "It's a tunnel," Meghianna announced, when they stopped their horses so close to the
shimmering doorway, the rippling surface of the magic haze nearly touched Mist's nose.
    Mrillis was pleased to see the mare was sensitive to the presence of the magic, but it
didn't disturb her. After a few snorts and flaring of her nostrils, Mist ignored it and stood still so
Meghianna could look her fill. Mrillis turned his gaze sideways so he could see the Threads, and
was pleased to see the tendrils of imbrose Meghianna sent out as feelers, testing the
magic.
    "A tunnel, yes. A temporary tunnel to Wynystrys," he said.
    "Then we won't get on a ferry and cross the water to the island?" Megassa said. "That's
good. The horses won't get scared."
    "Oh, I doubt any of our horses would be frightened by a ride on the water," Gynefra said
with a chuckle. She reached over to tousle Megassa's hair, earning a grin from the girl. "But good
thinking, nonetheless. Always consider the smallest details. Those are usually the problems that
trip us up, not the big obstacles."
    "How can you make a temporary tunnel?" Meghianna asked, her frown of concentration
deepening. "How can you hold it open without anchors and going through something?"
    "It is not yet a complete tunnel. There are doorways here and at Wynystrys. When High
Scholar Deyral and I join our imbrose through the Threads, the tunnel will open. We
will go through this doorway and out the other in a matter of seconds. Barely long enough for
our horses to even notice what is happening," he added, with a glance and a grin for
Gynefra.
    "But how do you do it?" Meghianna persisted.
    "I will teach you on the journey to the Stronghold," Mrillis said. It warmed him when
the child tore her gaze away from the doorway, her eyes wide with delight as she smiled at him.
He dared hope she was pleased that he would accompany her on the journey home, more than the
prospect of learning a complex spell.
    He did not look forward to relating the complexities of the temporary tunnel. Not
because he feared Meghianna wouldn't be able to understand it, but because of the story behind
the discovery of the magic. He had used the rediscovered magic to speed his journey across
Lygroes, from one coast to the other, to reach Ceera's side as she lay dying. No matter how dry
and simple a tale he tried to make it, he feared Meghianna's sensitivity would see through to the
pain that remained under the scar in his soul. Mrillis had lived with the pain and loss of his wife
and daughter for eight years now. What he feared more was exposing Meghianna to such depths
of loss and evil and hatred at such an early age.
    Ready, brother? Deyral called through the Threads.
    I can hear you, Meghianna said. Her eyes widened more and she pressed a little
gloved hand over her mouth. Should I keep away?
    You can listen, little one, but do not pull on the Threads, and say nothing until the
doorway has closed on the other side, Mrillis said. Yes, brother, we are ready. He
resisted the temptation to stretch a Thread out to Meghianna and enclose her in protection. She
was strong enough to protect herself from any flares of energy through the Threads, and it was
high time he trusted her to do so.
    The others in their party had enough imbrose to protect themselves, or a small
enough amount of magic the surge of energy through the Threads would not affect them at all.
He trusted Gynefra to wrap a Thread around Megassa to effectively muffle her from any
unpredictable reactions.
    Mrillis urged his mount forward, and Mist followed just a step behind. He kept one hand
on the front of his saddle and the other hand gripped the reins, while he sent out his mental hands
to pull handfuls of the Threads hanging like a thick fringe from the edges of the doorway. A
flash of energy burst inward and