A Guile of Dragons Read Free Page A

underground chamber.
    â€œMerlin!” Earno called through the glass.
    Merlin’s swaddled form grew still. “It is Earno, isn’t it?” he replied, his voice rising through the glass with an odd echoing ring.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThis trap has been ingeniously prepared.”
    â€œI only had to change the cell slightly. It was a Coranian tomb at one time.”
    â€œAnd now it is mine. Ironic.”
    â€œOn the contrary. I suggest you induce a withdrawal trance until I return with the Two Summoners. It may take some months, as time runs here, to navigate the Sea of Worlds.”
    â€œAnd if I choose to starve, or die of thirst, instead?”
    â€œThen the partisans of the Ambrosii will mourn, and a terrible danger will have been removed from the Wardlands.”
    â€œEarno! Listen. The Wardlands are in danger. That’s why we need unity. The realm will need to use all its . . . resources with . . . with efficiency—”
    â€œMerlin,” Earno interrupted, “when I was a child my rhetor made me spend a full day justifying the notion of setting a monarch over the Wardlands.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œI liked my arguments. But I didn’t convince my rhetor or myself. Don’t flatter yourself that you will.”
    â€œI am impressed, Earno. I’m sorry now I mocked you.”
    â€œNo doubt you are. That woman is here.”
    â€œI don’t wish to speak to her.”
    â€œYou should. You will not have another chance for some months.”
    â€œAh. Of course. She will provide your evidence that I have broken the First Decree.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œBut . . . I don’t understand. Why did she agree? Can you tell me . . . How did you know she would agree?”
    Fear and pain vibrated in Merlin’s glassy voice. Nimue had never heard him speak that way before. She took the mirror from Earno and, ignoring him, told Merlin everything: about her pregnancy, and her fear, and Earno’s promises. They talked a long time, till the sun was westering and a red light filtered through the green trees. Finally, she found herself saying, “But I never promised to testify against you. And I will not.”
    After a long pause, Merlin responded, “I can’t say it doesn’t matter. But, of all people, I should understand. This is not the end, not for such as you and me. So.” Another pause. Then, “As to testifying, they will place you on the Witness Stone. It will place you in rapport with the assembled Graith. The questions you are asked will raise memories the Graith can read. Don’t resist. It’s dangerous and will do no good.”
    The concern in his glassy fragile voice wounded Nimue deeply with love and anger. “But we must fight them!” she cried fiercely.
    Merlin laughed—it sounded as if it hurt him, and it surely hurt her. “Nimue . . . I think we will. With all our strength and sight. At another time. But now you should go. Go away!”
    She handed the mirror to Earno and turned away while he broke the glass and the spell.
    â€œWe’ll take your horses to the coast,” he said presently. “I have a ship waiting there.”
    They turned their back on the tower and walked in silence for a while, as shadows rose around them.
    â€œWhat has he done that is so terrible?” she asked, finally.
    â€œMany things. But it amounts to one thing: he has conspired to rule the Wardlands. That is not permitted.”
    â€œYour king forbids it, I suppose. How did he get his power?”
    â€œThere is no king—save One.”
    She guessed this was some sort of religious statement and changed her approach. “Your governors, then. This Graith he spoke of.”
    â€œThe Graith are not governors. We simply defend the border.”
    â€œWell . . .”
    â€œI can’t explain,” he said impatiently. “People govern themselves in the