Lightnings Daughter by Mary Herbert (android based ebook reader .txt) 📗

creature, stone, or plant. When you alter that force, even with the smal est spell, you must be strong enough to control the effect and the consequences. The forces of magic can destroy you if you cannot control them," she told her fascinated listeners. "The strength of will is the most important trait of a magic-wielder. Therefore, you must know yourself, every measure and degree of your own soul so you can recognize your limitations and know when the sorcery has begun to leach strength from your being."

"Is that what happened to Branth?" Athlone asked.

Gabria nodded. "I think so. I think the Fon pushed him too far and his mind was not clear enough to recognize his danger. All magic-wielders must be very careful not to overextend their powers."

"What else does a magic-wielder need?" Sayyed demanded.

"Desire, concentration, and imagination," the sorceress continued. "Not all spells are rigidly defined. You can often create your own. The reason you need spells is to clarify your intent in your mind. The words help you focus your powers on the magic. You must know exactly what you want to do or the magic will go awry."

"Like my sphere,” Athlone said.

"Exactly."

Sayyed leaned forward. "What about the Trymian Force?"

"The force is drawn from the power within the wielder. You can use it at will and change its intensity, but you must be careful not to overuse it or it will seriously weaken you."

"Can you show us how to control it?" he requested, his excitement sparkling in his eyes.

Alarmed, Gabria shook her head. "No. It's too soon. You nearly got us kil ed when you tried to use the force against the Korg."

"But Gabria," Sayyed protested. "How can we help you fight the gorthling if you don't show us how to use our power?"

All at once, Gabria's fear and reluctance broke loose, and she rushed to her feet. "Don't you see?"

she said forcefully. "You can't help me. There isn't enough time to teach you to defend yourselves, let alone fight something as powerful and evil as the gorthling. You will be killed if you try. So don't learn.

Don't try. Let me fight it, and if I win, I wil teach you later, when there's time."

"And if you don't win?" Athlone asked quietly.

"Then you'll have to find another teacher."

Sayyed sprang to his feet, his long black hair flying like a stallion's mane. "Gabria, you are being unreasonable! You can't fight that thing alone."

"I most certainly can," she cried. "I won't be responsible for your deaths."

Athlone looked up at her, his voice cold with anger. "You will jeopardize the clans and endanger yourself."

"I'll endanger myself far more by taking two unskilled sorcerers into an arcane battle they have no chance of surviving. Without you, I won't be distracted, worried, or terrified for your safety. No! No more. Stay out of this, all of you." She swept her cloak onto her shoulders and strode out of the firelight.

Athlone and Sayyed looked at one another, and for once their thoughts were in perfect accord.

"She is not going to fight it alone,” Sayyed muttered.

"No." Athlone arched an eyebrow. "If we work together, perhaps we can learn enough to surprise her."

Sayyed held out his hand, and the Khulinin clasped it to seal the vow.

Tam watched them with her bright, eager eyes and, unbeknownst to the men, she made her own vow to herself. They' were not going to leave her out of this.

Meanwhile, Gabria hurried into the darkness. The night was warm and dry, so she went to sit on a nearby hill. Long after the distant campfire had burned out, she sat on the grassy slope while her thoughts spun through her mind. She was frightened of meeting the gorthling alone, but she was terrified of losing Athlone or Sayyed to the beast through their lack of skill or hers. She knew she could never forgive herself if they died in a situation they had no business being in at all.

"No," Gabria whispered to the stars, "they must not fight. It is my duty, not theirs." Within her heart she vowed to fight alone, even if it meant leaving her companions and seeking the gorthling herself. Athlone would be furious, but at least he would be alive.

At one point a doubt crept into her mind: what if they were right? Was she being arrogant and selfish to think she could handle the gorthling alone? What would the clans do if the creatures did kill her? Gabria immediately banished those doubts. She could think of no other way to destroy the gorthling. The creature had to be fought with magic, and she was the only one who had any hope of succeeding.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Day followed day and league after endless league fell behind the small patty of riders as they pushed south on the trail of the gorthling. They traveled as fast as possible, for they were desperate to catch the creature before it reached the gathering. They pushed themselves and their horses hard and stopped to rest only when necessary. To increase their speed, they dumped most of their gear, using the pack horses as spare mounts.

Gabria worried at first that Tam or the Hunnuli colt would wear down under the rigors of the rough travel---the journey had already been a long, hard one for everyone. To her relief, the Reidhar girl and the colt managed very well. Tam stayed close to Sayyed, riding with him and keeping him company in the evenings. She stil had not said a word, but she smiled more and pampered Sayyed with her constant attention. The Turic, for his part, was pleased to have her friendship and treated her with the humor and affection of a protective big brother.

As for the Hunnuli colt, the months of travel had strengthened him as no time in a pasture could have. He was as big as a Harachan yearling, well developed and feisty. He remained inseparable