Iduna Read Free Page B

the formal meeting and now in this conversation.
    Interrupting her thoughts, he said, “Keep an open mind.”
    He turned to face her, and she mimicked his movement with just a slight delay. They bowed to each other slowly. When Angko straightened, he said, “Take care, little one,” and turned to walk down the corridor, his cane making a slow series of clicks that trailed away with him.
    She stood still where he had left her, her head tilted slightly as if listening to the wind. Blue butterflies flitted about in the garden. She would admit to herself that, in addition to thinking the council should assess the threat, she was also curious about her Ull heritage. She had never met anyone else from Ull. Their lands were far away, and the Ull tended not to travel, which was odd considering her mother and father had loved to travel. Her parents had joked about how content the Ull were to stay at home.
    The Ull were content no longer.

Chapter 4        
     
    Vilir surveyed his camp as the sun sank below the green mountains of Gaelen. Everyone but him seemed to be moving, setting up their tents, gathering supplies, and stowing their weapons. After swarming the Castle Gaelen, the Ull moved to the hills just to the south. Vilir wouldn't be able to see the castle, and that was what he wanted. Its weakness revolted him.
    His servants erected his tent behind him as he stood with legs and arms akimbo, his stance yet another statement that he felt powerful and a master of all the space around him. And he was. The echoes of violence buzzed through him, a strong hum that made him feel more alive than anyone in the world. A cool breeze blew steadily through the hills, and Vilir enjoyed the cold. It was nowhere near as cold as his icy homeland, but it would do for now.
    “Your tent is ready.”
    He turned and pulled back the tent flap to enter. His people served him, and he approved that they didn't do such small things as open doors for him. It was a tribute to his strength and self-sufficiency, a value from his youth that he still treasured. His other values had changed now that he saw the world more clearly.
    His dog trotted in and was quickly followed by his adviser, Senbo. He noticed that Senbo looked tired but triumphant. As he should.
    Senbo had come to Vilir a year ago on hands and knees. Vilir had found the groveling strange at first, but later he understood why that was the way it should be. The weak worship the strong, creating a stable order that would be his country’s salvation.
    “That went very well.” Senbo brushed some of the dirt off his tunic and sat in one of the fur- covered chairs.
    Ignoring Senbo, Vilir stepped over to a stool and began sharpening his sword.
    “They’re digging deeper trenches than usual. Why would they do that?” Senbo continued in his oblique way.
    “I told them to.” The ring of stone on blade emphasized each sweep of the stone across the sharp edge. The sound and texture of the action was intoxicating in Vilir’s state of increased awareness.
    Senbo stood up and walked around.
    Vilir wished Senbo would sit or be gone. Vilir’s dog curled up next to him, and he appreciated the silent companionship.
    “Good, good. Very smart. Your people will regain their energy and become a resource for you again. Of course!”
    Vilir focused on his task. “I will put the weak out of their misery.” A spark leaped from the sword as his sharpening stone struck.

Chapter 5        
     
    Iduna stared into the fire and enjoyed the patterns her friend Tinh was making. The fire arced and popped.
    The Institute in Cha had a number of libraries to choose from— this library wasn’t the largest, but Tinh and Iduna had been meeting here since they were kids and it was frequently empty. It stood near the junction of the Elementalist and Spellcraft wings. The library contained both a collection of books for reading and an assortment of elements for manipulations. There was a small shallow pool of