Free The Echolone Mine by Elaina J Davidson Page B

swiftly.”
    “Sabian, he is
Vallorin,” Torrullin said. “He remains the historical figure the
Valleur revere, First Father, Enchanter, Valla. I may not like him,
but he is a king. We do not kill kings.”
    “I am not
killing him. There is no place for him here. This time cannot cope
with two contrary Vallas; it will undo everything you have worked
towards.”
    “How long has
he?”
    “A few minutes
more.”
    “Did you plan
this?”
    “Opportunity
presented itself.”
    “This is
revenge?”
    “Revenge is
futile and the realm would be dark. Torrullin, this is
justice.”
    “Justice,
Sabian? Where, then, is my justice?”
    “You earn it
every time you right a wrong. Cease questioning. We are all guilty
here.” Sabian smiled. “And we have all changed, except him.”
    “Should he not
be given the chance?”
    Nemisin
stalked closer. “Yes, should I not be given the chance?”
    “Hearts have
collided,” Sabian said.
    “It cannot be
stopped,” Saska said.
    Nemisin glared
at Torrullin. “You can stop it.”
    “I do not
think so.”
    Elianas was
markedly silent. There was a way to stop it, yes, but he would cut
his tongue out before saying so. He glared daggers into Nemisin’s
back.
    Sabian
shuddered. “It is time.”
    “No!” Nemisin
screeched.
    “My Lord
Vallorin,” Torrullin said, “go with dignity. Reaume has the space
you require to begin anew.”
    Nemisin
shuddered as well. “Gods, this was not how it was meant to be.” He
straightened and calm overcame him. He bowed. “I submit to your
superiority, Torrullin. Do not fail our people.”
    “I will
not.”
    “One thing,
who is Vallorin?”
    “Tianoman. My
grandson.”
    “You were
Vallorin?”
    “For a long
time, yes.”
    Nemisin gave a
wry smile. “That was the one thing I hoped to deny you. Farewell,
my Lord Torrullin.”
    Sabian bowed.
“My farewell also, Lord Elixir.”
    They were
gone.
    Torrullin
locked gazes with Elianas, who shrugged. “I was not about to tell
them how to reverse it.”
    Torrullin
looked away. “Neither was I.”
    “There was a
way?” Saska gasped.
    Torrullin
said, “Let us be gone. Others can give those bones decent burial.”
He presented Saska with his arm, which she took, and waited until
Elianas fell in beside him.
    They walked
out together.

Chapter
9
     
    Who lies on
the other side of a damaged mind? Or what?
    Psychology
969
     
     
    Akhavar
     
    L owen recovered from trauma and found in the caring
for Cassy the means to deal with her emotions.
    Cassy, when
they saw her again, was clean, fed and properly dressed in one of
Saska’s gowns. She was also sweetly vacant.
    By the next
day they had decided to take her to the Lifesource Temple on
Valaris.
    Saska said she
would see to the clearing of the Chamber of Biers, the necessary
burials, the consecration, and then she would leave Akhavar. She
suggested, if a healing was not to be, Cassy be brought to her
wherever she was, and she would take care of the woman.
    Elianas
embraced her in appreciation.
    Thus it was
Torrullin, Elianas and Lowen ferried Cassiopin, Nemisin’s daughter,
to Valaris.
    All gods take
note.
     
     
    Valaris
     
    The walk across
the narrow lightbridge suspended over churning ocean below was
harrowing, for Cassy wanted to lean over into the void at every
step.
    Finally
Elianas carried her the distance.
    Lowen could
not enter the Lifesource and retain what immortality she had left,
and remained on the land bridge. When they vanished beneath the
western arch, she transported to Farinwood and took a small,
comfortable room in one of the inns, flinging onto a soft bed to
fall into proper sleep for the first time in a long while.
    Her dreams,
however, were a confusion of hands - hers, Torrullin’s and
Elianas’.
     
     
    Lifesource
Temple
     
    Once inside the
Temple, Torrullin sent the call, Quilla, will you come?
    There was
surprise on the other end. On my way.
    A moment later
the birdman joined them. He took one look, squashed questions,