Free Hemlock And The Dead God's Legacy (Book 2) by B. Throwsnaill Page B

him soon."
    "I am in your debt."
    The two were silent for a time.  Hemlock noticed that Taros Sundar was now making merriment at the expense of Faud, who had evidently made a foolish remark.
    Hemlock broke the silence . "This is going to be a long journey, isn't it?"
    "Yes, many days, as we discussed."
    "I remember horses from when I was a child.  If we had them, we might complete this journey in just a few days."
    "Yes, I have heard tales of them.  They are said to be beautiful beasts.  We did not have them on our old world."
    "Gwineval tells me that non-magical beasts cannot survive the passage of the veil that surrounds the City."
    "This must be true, for otherwise we should have beasts in great abundance, I imagine."
    The group walked on, and soon the sun was high in the sky.  Hemlock saw that Renevos now walked beside her on her left.
    "It is time for lunch.  We should stop," said Renevos.
    Hemlock turned to Tored. "Tored, the wizards are asking to stop to eat."
    Tored seemed to regard the concept as unfavorable, but he did not voice his opinion . He called to the Tanna Varrans to stop.
    As Hemlock ate her dried cattle meat and rice, she noted again that their group was sitting in f our groups:  the Tanna Varrans of the Taros family, the Tanna Varrans of the Umra family, the wizards led by Renevos, and her and Tored.  They also walked in these groups, and Hemlock knew that none of the three largest groups had much of a fondness for any of the others.
    Tored, who sat beside her, ate little.  She had seen him eat a small piece of bread given to him by Faud, but that was it.  In fact, Hemlock noticed that none of the Tanna Varrans ate very much.
    Turning back to Tored, Hemlock saw him regarding her. "We usually only eat twice a day," he said.
    Something about sitting with Tored awakened a memory in Hemlock ’s mind.  She used to sit with Safreon and have small conversations like she was having now.  She felt simultaneous feelings of intense melancholy and appreciation for Tored’s company.
    Hemlock noticed Renevos slowly rise from the group of wizards and walk toward them.  The old wizard nodded perfunctorily and then seated himself beside them.
    “Did you warn them about magic?” asked Renevos.
    “Yes, she did.  We are forbidden to use magic because of the chaotic nature of the lands that immediately surround the City. My warriors have been informed,” said Tored.
    “Well, you make sure they heed that warning.  I remember when I was a younger man; we were on a journey south when some fool cast a small spell to lighten his pack.  None of us noticed it, and we were taken off guard when we were attacked.  Strange tendrils rose from the ground itself and lashed out as us.  They grabbed two wizards and suffocated them before we could form up a defense.  Don’t underestimate the danger of the chaos magic here.”
    “We won’t, Renevos,” said Hemlock.
    “What is the origin of this magic?” asked Tored, as he chewed on another small piece of bread.
    Hemlock shrugged.  Renevos appeared to be deep in thought, and then responded . “Some say that the Imperial magic that lingers in the City has displaced the natural chaos magic in these perimeter lands, and concentrated its power.”
    This piqued Hemlock’s interest . “How much Imperial magic is still around?”
    Renevos shifted uncomfortably and looked downward . “These matters are best discussed in the Tower.”
    Hemlock shrugged and smiled at Tored, who acknowledged her jest with a small grin.
    Hemlock turned her attention back toward Renevos and was startled to see him looking at her with an intense glare.
    “ We wizards once ran at the forefront, and the City followed in our wake. We must have faltered. And now you have taken our place. We now follow in your wake. I don’t like it, but I respect you and your power. Therefore I follow you. But I don’t respect the common folk of the City,” said Renevos, his hoarse voice rising to a