Free Raven's Hand by James Somers Page B

felt satisfied with what he
had said. Though odd, it seemed Shalindra was in the mood to test
him.
    “And the Malkind?” she asked, winding around
another pillar of stacked stones.
    Killian answered even quicker this time,
remembering his mother’s lessons with more fluidity now. “The
Malkind are created beings. They once served Eliam, but rebelled
against him after man was created. They now seek followers from
among men and seduce them to worship by the promise of power in the
world.”
    Shalindra came ever closer, now walking
directly toward him. “And who, young Radden-son, is the greater
between Creator and created?”
    Killian paused once more. This wasn’t a
question that had ever been posed by his mother during their
fireside lessons. He glanced at Esmeralda and then returned his
attention to the priestess. “Eliam, as Creator, must be greater.”
He puzzled over the matter again and his answer, finally coming to
the conclusion that it wasn’t a trick question, but still not
comprehending where all of this was leading.
    Shalindra stopped in front of him.
“Obviously,” she said. “So why then does Eliam allow matters with
the Malkind to stand as they are in the world?”
    To this question Killian had no ready
response. He stood there with Shalindra’s gaze resting upon him,
but he could not answer. In all honesty, he couldn’t recall such a
question ever entering his thoughts.
    After a few moments of awkward silence,
Killian shrugged his shoulders. “I cannot say, mistress. Perhaps,
you can enlighten me?”
    “Eliam has a grand plan that will ultimately
end with the judgment and destruction of the Malkind and their
followers,” she explained. “However, those who follow Eliam will
live forever.”
    “So our lives are a test?”
    “In a manner of speaking,” she said.
“ Perhaps , opportunity is a better word. Creation rebelled
against its creator, and now we have an open invitation from Eliam
to return to him.”
    Killian nodded thoughtfully, considering
Shalindra’s explanation. “In that case, I only have one
question.”
    “What would that be?”
    “What does this have to do with me coming
here to have Prince Nathan’s sword blessed by Eliam?”
    “Nothing…or everything, depending on you,”
Shalindra replied.
    “I don’t understand,” Killian answered. “Am I
supposed to do something?”
    “You will do something. It only remains to be
seen what?”
    Esmeralda raised her head. “Priestess, with
all due respect, what are you speaking of? We do not understand
what you are referring to.”
    Shalindra smiled. “I’m speaking of change
that is coming to the world, noble Esmeralda.”
    “And I’m involved somehow?” Killian
asked.
    “More than you can imagine.”
    Before Killian could process her answer,
Shalindra raised her hand. The sword lunged from Killian’s grasp
into hers. He jumped back in surprise. Shalindra only grinned.
    Killian regained his composure quickly,
watching Eliam’s priestess as she examined the sword. Shalindra
turned it over in her hands repeatedly, testing the weight and
balance. Her gaze roamed over the steel, scrutinizing every
intricate detail.
    “Excellent craftsmanship, as is usual with
Radden,” Shalindra finally said. “All this talent and breeding to
boot.”
    “What?”
    Shalindra did not repeat her statement. She
released the sword from her grip, letting it lay upon her open
palms. The blade rose, as though lifted by invisible hands, and
then floated across the space between her and Killian. When it
reached him, Killian took hold of the weapon. He didn’t know what
to think of the exchange. The extent of Shalindra’s power was
unknown to him.
    “Interesting,” she remarked, watching as the
sword returned to Killian. “It has chosen you.”
    “Chosen me?” Killian asked.
    Shalindra nodded. “We shall perform the
blessing of power now.”
    Killian smiled, offering the sword back to
her. After all, he had seen the process performed