Sorcerer's Vendetta (The Secret of Zanalon) Read Free

name, she kept her expression neutral. Her thoughts were her own.
    "Well, what mana thou 'ast thou must save. Let me get thee there, all right?"
    He nodded, doubtfully.
    She narrowed her eyes at him, an unseen protest. Damn six-fathered whoreson. Here I am, saving his rear, and still he thinks I am nobody.
    Biting her tongue, she began. Circling him, she muttered the proper incantations with her best style, while he watched her weave her web.
    The Sorcerer gave a derogatory snort.
    She stopped. "What?"
    "Malodorous pronunciation."
    She crossed her arms and glared. "Thou wishest to try? Then we shall see what kind o' a fight thou canst give thy boy when thou gets there."
    He stared straight ahead. "Just forget not, place me a bit away from him. And remember the trap."
    "All right, already. Keep a still tongue in thy 'ead and let me finish."
    She began anew. Blue lightnings grew, entwining him like an electric vine as she tightened her power around him. It sparkled, coalescing as the elementals she called on lent their touch, their design. The power began to sink into him.
    Horror crossed the Sorcerer's face.
    "What hast thou ...?" He looked down at his feet.
    "I ... I am turning to stone! Stop! I am turning to stone! Damn thee, old woman! I knew thou wouldst botch it! Stop this AT ONCE!"
    The witch drew back, suddenly trembling, her face hot. "I cain't, it be done already ... I cain't, I am sorry ..."
    He stepped toward her and she heard stone thud. Retreating, she stumbled. The Sorcerer drew his sword, its steel whispering menace.
    "Then die with me thou incompetent, old---" The Sorcerer whipped his sword back over his shoulder...
    She screamed, a high, thin wail. All too clearly she saw herself pictured in his eyes, falling in two gory slices to turn the neatly swept dirt floor of her cottage into bloody mud. She turned away, her stick arms covering her head in futile defense, and waited for the stroke that would end her life. Seconds stretched, precious.
    And then stretched more. She peeked back through her arms, holding her breath.
    In the middle of her cozy home stood a violently beautiful statue, a man with furling cloak and sword in mid-swing, determined vengeance engraved on his handsome face.
    Trembling, she dropped her hands, slapped palms against her thin, robed thighs. She released her breath in an exasperated sigh and dropped her head, her shoulders stooped more than usual. "Oh, 'ell, I am sorry, old man." Her eyes drew slowly back to his face.
    "Methinks I shan't be getting my body renewed, eh?"
     
     
    Chapter 2 – DISCOVERY
     
    Dr. Rachel Floyd was quite surprised and pleased when she received a package in the mail from England. Inside the shipping box was a meticulously wrapped book, along with a hand-written note.
    I enjoyed your book and I'd love to hear what you think of my latest.
                  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
    It was an advance copy of King Arthur Undone: Art of the Age of Camelot by Dr. Rollin Ambrose. She flipped to the back, intrigued.  The back cover read: “Dr. Rollin Ambrose is the author of 'Grace and Beauty in the Dark: Early Middle Age Stonework' and 'Camelot Carvings: Art to Inspire the King of the Round Table.' He lives near London, England and is a professor of art history at Cambridge University.”   He had written a more personal message inside the front cover.
    May the future hold as much fascination and excitement for you as we both derive from the past. With great respect and admiration,
    Rollin Ambrose
     
    January 6 th , 2010
    Dear Dr. Rollin Ambrose:
    Thank you so much for the book! I am honored to have the privilege of reading it first, before it even goes to press. I have been following your work for some time and I have to tell you, I am thrilled to find a colleague who shares so many of my views. As you no doubt know, I have focused much of my energy on the artwork of the ancient cultures in North and South America so far but I find it quite