Free Shadowrun - Earthdawn - Lliferock by Jak Koke

would never have been possible with Ganwetrammus, which was massive beyond his comprehension. In places This Book Belongs to: Andrew Tobin (black _ [email protected]) Liferock 
    59
    

Jak Koke
    the white pattern of the temple dimmed to gray wisps, fragile and withering.
    Dead. This liferock is dead.
    A profound sadness took Pabl’s breath away. He let the magic falter, focusing on the physical world. “I didn’t see a lot, except that the liferock is dead. Gvint said as much, but I don’t see how that could happen?”
    Bintr answered him. “It’s not supposed to.”
    Chaiel said nothing.
    “Bintr, you stay here,” Pabl said. “We already know he won’t speak with you. Jan and the Cathan can also stay.”
    Jan nodded at that.
    “Chaiel,” Pabl said. “You ready?”
    Chaiel nodded, his jaw clenched tight. He pulled his troll-sized sword from its sheath and held it ready.
    “Let’s go then.” Pabl stepped out into the clearing and Chaiel came close behind. They made their way onto the flagstones, giving the Dis statuette and the stagnant pool a wide berth as they headed for the temple’s entrance.
    The flagstones felt cold through the soft cloth of Pabl’s boots. After three steps the cold grew, becoming a seeping chill which crept into his feet and legs. He could see that Chaiel was affected the same way. A few more steps and the cold had penetrated into the bones of Pabl’s legs, making his joints lock up.
    Chaiel fell behind him, his sword clanging on the rock.
    “It’s a trap,” he said.
    Pabl stopped moving, kneeling against the icy stone. He pushed the shivers from his mind and wove the thread for a spell. The thread completed the pattern and the spell went off, trying to annul the cold magic.
    Nothing. Just the ever increasing chill.
    “Stop!” The voice ground the air like pebbles in a bird’s craw.
    This Book Belongs to: Andrew Tobin (black _ [email protected]) Liferock 
    60
    

Jak Koke
    Does it look like we’re moving? Pabl thought. Then he felt a tightening grip of magic, unrelated to the cold, try to hold him motionless. He resisted it, despite his frozen bones and the magical grip slipped off.
    Chaiel had not fared so well, Pabl saw when he glanced around. His brother was frozen in mid rise, one knee and hand on the ground, his head looking up, startled.
    “Wait!” Pabl cried. “We come only to talk with you. And share —”
    “Leave my rock.”
    How do you propose we do that? Pabl thought. The chill coming from the flagstones seemed to be slowing, but he still found it hard to move. Behind him, Chaiel was as still as a statue.
    The gravel voice spoke again. “What did you say? Speak again!”
    “We come in search of knowledge. To share our water with you and ask questions. You may be the only one who can help.”
    There was a long silence.
    “You would share water with me? Who are you?”
    “I am Pabl Evr of Tepuis Garen. Our next Elder has not returned to the rock, and you may be the only one to have seen him since the Long Dreaming.”
    “If you are sincere, Pabl Evr, and your water is pure, I will answer your questions. Your brother must go.”
    Chaiel suddenly lurched forward, falling face first on the ground. He picked himself up and looked at Pabl. “I heard him.
    What do you want me to do?”
    “Join the others,” Pabl said. “I will find out what he knows about Reid.” Chaiel started to protest, but Pabl jerked his head back toward Jan and Bintr. “Despite the rumors, we need to know what he knows,” Pabl said. “And this is the only way.”
    As soon as Chaiel had made it back past the Dis statuette, This Book Belongs to: Andrew Tobin (black _ [email protected]) Liferock 
    61
    

Jak Koke
    the chill in Pabl’s bones began to sink slowly back down into the stones. He raised himself to his full height, stretching his back and cracking his neck.
    “Now come, Pabl Evr, before my mind changes itself.”
    Pabl took a slow breath, suddenly