The Final Redemption by Michael Manning (novels in english .TXT) 📗

noticed one major difference aftertheir arrival. The Stone Lady was no longer stone.

When I first detected the dragon atthe edge of my magesight, I identified both of them withouttrouble, primarily because of their distinctive aythar. WhileGareth Gaelyn was large and imposing physically, his powerfulaythar shone like a beacon. Moira Centyr’s was much more subdued,in large part because she no longer produced aythar as a livingcreature would. She had only what remained from her creator, asupply that had been steadily dwindling over the centuries, untilmy enchantment had altered the basic nature of herexistence.

It wasn’t until they drew closer thather drastic physical change was apparent to me. She was flesh andblood now. Her artificial spirit, with its limited aythar caged bymy enchantment, was still the same; no wizard would mistake her fora normal human, but she now resided within a body made of livingflesh. Dark hair, almost black, framed a pale face with light greyeyes and pale pink lips. Her new form was beautiful in an almostcasual fashion, none of her features were striking, but theircombination was pleasant to the eye.

I hid my surprise, “Much better, youlooked like shit yesterday.”

Her brows lifted in amusement, “Theman whom you resemble was much nicer. Your comments don’t suit you.You’d have a much better time of it if you quit trying so hard toset yourself apart as an asshole.”

“I’m glad to see that our time aparthas renewed your interest in banter,” I said, inspecting herdiscreetly. She was garbed in little more than a plain woolenshift. “I would also remind you that you didn’t know Mordecai verywell. He was not nearly so kind as you like to think.”

The dragon was laughing inwardly. Itwasn’t something that could be seen, but I could feel his mirth,and it irritated me.

“You definitely got his stubbornnessin full measure,” she commented. “Aren’t you curious about mychange?”

Rather than validate her remark, Ianswered honestly, “In fact, I am.”

Gareth chose that point to join in.“After our conversation last night, I offered to alter her body forher. It was—a small gift.”

I suspected that he had meant to say‘repayment’, but had changed his mind at the last moment. From whatI knew of the ancient archmage, he did not believe that he wouldever be able to atone for his crimes. It was also one of the veryfew times I had known him to use his abilities as an archmage. Hehad transformed his own body once or twice in the past, but doingso for someone else was an egg of a different color.

From my own experience, itinvolved an extreme level of intimacy, for accomplishing it wouldrequire the same sort of entanglement that was used during the mostadvanced types of healing. Simple healing required only wizardry,but major restorations required a sort of intuitive, innateself-knowledge. That sort of knowledge couldn’t be acquiredexternally. Gareth would have been forced to become her to some degree, before hecould then transform her body to the human form sheremembered.

The most remarkable part, to my mind,was that in the past Gareth had made a point of showcasing hisdefiant independence. He had made me believe it was a fundamentalpart of his draconic nature, yet the type of joining Moira’stransformation necessitated completely belied that idea. Either thedragon had been lying to me all along, or he felt an enormous debtto this shadow of a woman he had once known.

It also told me that he was stillfully in command of his abilities both as a wizard and an archmage,no matter how many centuries he had been living as adragon.

All of this passed through my mind ina matter of seconds, while my conscious mind struggled to find afitting reply. “This is going to ruin your reputation if it becomespublic knowledge,” I said at last.

Moira Centyr burst into raucouslaughter at that point. Not the delicate, feminine, partlysuppressed laughter that women sometimes use, but the more honestsort, full of snorts and unladylike whoops. It had been more than ayear since I had heard a woman’s laugh, and it startled me how muchI missed the sound.

“We need to speak privately,” I toldthe dragon before addressing Moira, “For the next five minutes youcan no longer hear, nor will you use any other means to eavesdropon this conversation.” Her expression became irritated as mycommand took effect, robbing her of her auditorycapacity.

Ignoring her expression, I nodded atGareth and began walking away, indicating that he should follow.“That was rather heavy handed,” he informed me.

“Ask me if I care,” Ireplied, “I don’t have time to worry about my social capital. I’mnot even a real person and I have a lot to accomplish.”

The dragon’s eyesnarrowed, “Then give me your commands, Master, so that we can keep thisconversation short.” His tone was laced with sarcasm.

“The enchantment I used tokeep her from disappearing is the same one that was used to createthe Shining Gods. If nothing is done about it, she will be forcedto persist forever, something I am sure she does not want,especially considering how well they did with their immortality,” Iexplained. Leaning close to the dragon’s head, I whispered thewords that were the key to Moira’s enchantment. “Did you hear meclearly?” I asked afterward.

“Yes.”

“Those words will enable you torelease her when this is over,” I explained.

“Why do you share this with me?” heasked.

“Because I trust you will do the rightthing, even if I cannot,” I stated plainly. It was clear enough tome now, especially since he had transformed her—that Gareth Gaelyncared deeply for the well-being of Moira Centyr’s shade. That madehim the perfect candidate to entrust with thisknowledge.

“You are undying, it is unlikely thatyou will not be present to do whatever is necessary for heryourself,” he argued mildly.

“I don’t particularly likemy condition, and even putting that aside, the real Mordecai is still in here,” Isaid, tapping my chest for emphasis. “The spell-weaving that keepsme here also keeps his soul trapped within. If he is to be allowedto truly rest in peace I have to find a way to put an end to this.”Because of Lyralliantha’s command I was unable to tell him of hergift, but it was hardly necessary to make