The Rift War Read Free Page B

euphoria of the energy she always gained while working star-metal.
    "You're going to need it. I assume since you're working on bow guards, the armor is
done?"
    "Done, and ready for a celebration party," Mrillis said. He nodded at the cuff. "That is a
gift for Shalara. I anticipate great things from her, when her imbrose is awakened."
    "What's happened?" Emrillian gestured across the workshop, to the corner where a
coldbox and padded benches formed a resting place amid the multiple work stations and projects
in various stages of completion throughout the large, one-room building. The three settled down
in their usual places for one of their long, intense, rambling talks.
    "Something dire, I fear," Mrillis said. He gestured at the coldbox. The door swung
open.
    Grego was somewhat relieved that the white-haired man didn't levitate a bottle of juice
over to him. Now wasn't the time for amusing tricks. He gathered his thoughts as the three served
themselves.
    "It's happened," he said, after considering and tossing aside a dozen different ways of
breaking the news. "The next phase in my project. They'll load the ships with the power siphon
equipment in the next few days, to sail to the Death Zone."
    "But how?" Emrillian said, slowly shaking her head. She put down the bottle of juice
and leaned forward, elbows on her knees, hands clasped together, as if that would help her
concentrate and understand. "The next step is to get the sensors working."
    "They are working." Grego swallowed hard. "Working too well. I'm thinking someone
else has been working on the programming and adding it to mine. The first test went
spectacularly well. Today. Kayn was in my office, watching practically over my shoulder, when
an enormous deposit of star-metal was found right here on the coast."
    "The tunnel," Mrillis said. He stroked his beard, lips pursed in thought.
    "They'll come right here, before they go out to the Death Zone," Emrillian said. "How
could they resist all that star-metal, here for the taking? Grandfather, we're not ready."
    "Since when does prophecy require that we be ready?" he responded, shaking his head.
"And you are partially wrong, my dear. The star-metal is not here for the taking. They must
penetrate quite a few defensive spells to find the tunnel."
    "And if they think to bring Grego's power siphon? If they decide to activate it, to help
them find the star-metal when your spells block the way? How long will the defensive spells
stand against them when the Threads are attacked and drained?"
    "It's worse," Grego said. "Kayn is probably halfway to getting the legal right to
confiscate your house and grounds, in the name of national security."
    "Then we will not be here, will we?" Mrillis said with just a touch of smirk in his dark
eyes, curving the corners of his mouth, visible through his thick beard.
    "Grandfather, we're not ready," Emrillian repeated.
    "It is time to take the throne." He stood and gestured at the house. "You need to wash,
and Grego and I will get something to eat. I fear we will have a very long night of talking and
planning, and it is best not to do that on an empty stomach."
    * * * *
    Mrillis and Grego detoured through the kitchens to request food from Layessi, one of
the Rey'kil who had come from Lygroes to help raise Emrillian. While Emrillian washed up, they
headed upstairs to the library and music room that took up half of the third floor of the house and
looked out over the sea. A full suit of armor, shimmering softly with lavender, silver, and blue
light, hung on a manikin stand in a corner of the room by the enormous arched windows. Grego
inhaled sharply in admiration--and relief, knowing Emrillian's armor was done. Then it occurred
to him that that meant she would indeed go into battle against Edrout, just as she had vowed
when she was a child.
    The armor was woven of fine chain mail, with the Warhawk crest in blue gemstones
worked into the right shoulder, and the starburst emblem of the Estall blazoned