Free The Sleeper Sword by Elaina J Davidson Page B

directly
overhead to shine through the aperture overhead onto the star
below. It was a sacred site … and he realised something.
    Linir was
uncloaked.
    There was no
fear. Only curiosity.
    He paced the
octagonal perimeter and wondered if his awakening invested him with
magical powers, but his thoughts halted at mere wondering. As far
as he knew this was the only sacred site on the continent
uncloaked. Were the Valleur aware? Of course they were aware, had
to be.
    “The
island-bound Valleur have turned their eyes and thoughts from the
continent, human,” a voice intruded, answering his unspoken
question. A mocking voice of a young man.
    Samuel turned,
but there was nobody there.
    “You won’t see
me. Why do you always have the need to see to believe, you humans?
There are greater proofs of state than what the eye might gift. I’m
not a vision and I’m not an essence, but I am real even in
invisibility - trust that. I am in your present and presence.”
    “Who are
you?”
    “Why do all
ask that first? Never mind, you’ll know when the time is right. For
now hark to my words.” The voice moved. If it had form, it would be
pacing.
    Samuel
retreated to a wall, an instinctively defensive gesture. While not
afraid, he was uncomfortable.
    “I won’t harm
you. Not you.”
    The hairs on
Samuel’s neck spiked.
    “You are the
instrument to the Enchanter.”
    “I am … what?”
Samuel gasped, shocked by both the words and the sotto-voice
delivery.
    “Don’t
interrupt. Listen well. Linir was cloaked until a few moments
before you chose to halt before it. You did so because it was there
for you. I wanted you to come inside, wanted you to see and hear.
I’m doubtful anyone in the west feels it, and it causes a delay in
my planning. They have hardened their hearts to the mainland’s
troubles, when it is the mainland where the stage is to be set. You
must tell them.”
    Samuel’s jaw
dropped.
    “You must find
the Electan and Byron Morave. They too need to inform the Vallorin
of certain facts. You’ll be the proof that causes them to act and
together you must go west. The Electan, the Society’s best and a
Valla kinsman will be eloquent and believable. Tannil will be
forced to return his gaze in this direction.”
    “Why?” Samuel
burst out.
    “To bring them
to Torrke, human. You are the instrument and they are able to
assist you. Tell them and they will know. It is seven days to
Nemisin’s appearance in the heavens and it is a two thousand year
anniversary. Tell Tannil that and be sure to return to this land
before the Star is at its zenith.”
    There was then
the clear sense of withdrawal and Samuel knew the presence had
left.
    Instrument? To
the Enchanter?
    Who had that
been?
    He released a
pent-up breath and strode from the temple. Outside he stood a
moment to accustom his eyes to the over-bright sunshine and then
put fingers to lips to whistle.
    It seems I’m
soon to be in the presence of Tannil, Vallorin of the Valleur.
    His horse
pounded through deserted streets; he jumped on and turned the
animal to face north.
    Somehow he
would get a message to his wife, but now he had to get to Galilan
as fast as he could.
     
     
    Fay found her
brother on the edge of the cliff, adjacent the Palace where the
cantilever hid him from inspection overhead.
    It was one of
his favourite hideaways for he could innocently claim he hid where
there were no corners.
    He leaned over
the sturdy guardrail. It was a stormy day and the sea was grey and
angry, mesmerising him.
    “Hiding,
brother?”
    He shrugged
and did not turn.
    She halted
beside him. “What’s wrong?” He did not reply, although he did
glance at her. There were dark lines under his eyes. “Not sleeping
again, Tannil?”
    “Sleep has
become a luxury.”
    “What are you
not telling me?”
    He
straightened to turn to her. “I’m not hiding, Fay; I needed to
think without constant interruption. I mean not you, you’re always
welcome. With emigration under way,