The Darathi Vorsi Prince (Song of the Swords Book 0) Read Free

you, my young apprentice. When I did not find you in your rooms, I followed the sound of your voice. This conversation has been most stimulating . ”
    Heat flared up Rhoan e’ s neck. Was Verdaine here to force him into honoring his oath? Certainly she would make him leave his home as sh e’ d made Carga agree to leave her people.
    Verdaine swept her fingertips across his cheek and calm flowed through his veins .“ I will not force you to do anything. You will know when it is time to leave the Narthvier . ”
    He instinctively shut his thoughts off from the goddess and her lips lifted in a smile. At least while he was able, he would have control of his life .“ Will you come for me then, too ? ”
    A sword appeared in her hand. Its long blade glowed white with ancient power that pulsed against his own ShantiMari. The dragon-scaled hilt fanned into a cross guard with intricately etched vines and designs unlike any h e’ d ever seen. A second, smaller guard flared to pointed ends. The blad e— lithe, elegant, and letha l— stretched to a point. Words in a script he could n’ t read wound their way up its polished surface.
    “ This will tell you when it is time. Take it, Rhoane . ”
    “ I cannot ,” he said .“ This is a blade worthy of a god. No mortal should carry such a work of art . ”
    Verdaine placed the sword in his hands. A smile further illuminated her beauty .“ He was made by your Artagh brothers after they left the vier. My father commissioned he be made for me, to fight in the Great War, but I could n’ t bring myself to use it. When I refused, my father told me to keep him safe, that someday I would have need of him again. Not for myself, but for the one who would come from the terrarae . ”
    Rhoane gripped the hilt hard, trying his best not to let the immense power of the sword overwhelm him. A song played in his mind. A joyful tune of remembrance. The sword welcomed him. No, it remembered him. Eyes wide, he glanced to his goddess.
    “ Claidholm Solais was forged for my use ,” she said ,“ but he was never truly mine. You are the only master this sword will know . ”
    “ Kleeve Solish ?” Rhoane wrapped his lips around the strange name.
    “ Claidholm Solais. His name is derived from the old tongue. Listen well to his words. He will guide you to find the Darennsai. She will be known by her own sword, Ynyd Eirathnacht . ”
    “ The sword your father made for Daknys ,” Carga offered .“ No one has seen it since Rykoto was imprisoned. Many believe he destroyed the weapon during the fighting . ”
    Verdain e’ s laughter was like the tinkling of small bells on a summe r’ s breeze .“ Ynyd Eirathnacht is not missing. She is safely guarded. When the time has come, Nadra will present her to the Darennsai . ”
    “ Nadra ,” Carga said dreamily ,“ Mother Goddess and consort to our Great Father Ohlin. I would love to one day meet them . ”
    “ And you shall, child .” Verdaine touched Carg a’ s cheek .“ You shall .” She returned hergaze to Rhoane .“ This sword and Ynyd Eirathnacht are made of godsteel. You cannot destroy them. Not by fire, nor ShantiMari. The only way these two swords can be damaged is if they are used against each other in battle. They were made for peace, but must be united as one . ”
    Rhoane held the sword close to his face and inspected the scrolling words .“ What does it say ? ”
    “ That is for you to discover. I will only tell you thi s— if you and the Darennsai are not united as well, she will fail . ”
    “ May I ?” Carga held her hand out for the sword.
    Rhoane cast a glance to Verdaine. At her nod, he gently placed the weapon upon Carga’s palm. The glow diminished until the metal was cool and grey.
    “ Claidholm Solais, protect my brother as he journeys forth. Be as a guide to him when he is lost, a friend to him when he is lonely, and always, a reminder to him what he means not just to the Eleri, but to all of Aelinae .” The sword