Free The Third Apprentice by Lana Axe Page A

sorceress’s name, many of the women ceased their conversations
and stared at him. Zamna had heard as well, waiting anxiously for a reply from
the Matriarch.
    “Any information you could provide concerning the
road ahead would be appreciated,” Taren said, hoping to fill the awkward
silence.
    Ursla continued to stare. “That land is cursed,”
she finally said.
    Zamna leaned in, whispering in the mage’s ear.
“Careful what you say to them. We don’t know if they can be trusted.”
    “They’ve been kind and generous with us so far,”
Taren replied quietly. “I see no reason to keep secrets.”
    Zamna sat back and said nothing. He hoped Taren
was not making a mistake by divulging this information to the Sisters.
    “If any of you know how to get inside the tomb,
I’m all ears,” Taren said nervously. “Perhaps the information is hidden in one
of your tales.” He wasn’t sure what else to say. The crowd was still staring at
him, and he could feel the redness creeping into his face.
    “That land is cursed,” Ursla repeated. “We have
tales of Ailwen the Ancient. She is a being of pure evil.”
    “She was a being of evil,” Taren corrected.
“She died centuries ago, so there’s little chance I’ll encounter her along the
way.”
    “Her spirit remains,” Ursla said. “You must not go
to that place. It is only death you will find there.”
    Zamna grew weary of the heavy conversation.
Tossing his wooden plate to the ground, he said, “It’s riches I intend to find
there. Death is an afterthought.”
    “Lizard man should not make fun,” Ursla scolded.
“There is great evil in that tomb. You must not go.” Her warm brown eyes
pleaded with Taren.
    “I must go,” he replied. “My master has given me a
mission, and I must see it through.”
    “Then your master is a fool,” she spat. “He should
have sent himself if he desires death.”
    “He desires life!” Taren argued. “There is an item
there that can grant him eternal life!” Realizing he had said too much, he
clamped his mouth shut. He had not even shared that information with Zamna, and
in a moment of anger he had let the closely guarded secret slip.
    Ursla shook her head. “He has sent you to your
death. There can be no escape once you enter the tomb.”
    Taren sighed. “So far, I don’t even know how to
get inside. I may never even make it to the door.” That much was true. Would
Zamna be angered that he hadn’t shared everything with him? If he had to travel
alone, he would probably end up wandering in circles until he succumbed to the
elements. He glanced at his companion, who was listening with interest.
    “A vast desert lies before you if you continue
south,” Ursla explained. “It is a place of madness. If you manage to survive
it, you will still be killed when you reach the tomb. No one returns from that
place.” She hung her head, lamenting the loss of ancient people in tales handed
down for generations. Most of the information was embellished, but those tales
held a significance for her people. Seeing these men so determined to walk
toward death saddened her.
    Taren took a deep breath. Hoping to ease her mind,
he said, “I am willing to give my life for my master. He is dear to me, and I
would do this for him. There is nothing that would please me more. It is my
duty to journey south.” With confidence, he added, “I have already seen my
share of death. I will return.”
    Ursla looked up at him, nodding once. “I
understand,” she said. “We have no stories that will help you gain entrance to
the tomb. All we can do is provide you with water and food for your journey.
Tomorrow, I will see that you are blessed by our gods.”
    “Thank you,” Taren replied, grateful for her
assistance. Though he had no use for the gods of his own land, he believed the
gods of this land might prove more powerful. These women had made a home here
in a forest unfit for habitation. Their gods must be doing something right.
    The women