Cathexis: Necromancer's Dagger Read Online Free Page B

Brelt is almost ready to learn
the sword,” Lord Trask reported with a father’s pride.
    “Come now, Brelt’s what, three years old?” Jatar asked, amused at
his friend’s optimistic pride.
    “Yes, but he’s another one like Calt , a hellion. His mother is about to pack
it all in and become a hermit. Just before I left he got into the
stable yard and managed the neat trick of rolling around in the
manure; I don’t know why. Eventually, he must have tired himself out because he
went to bed. Meanwhile, his mother was frantically looking for the
boy. Jatar, you should have seen the look on Pricilla’s face when
she finally found him by following the smell of manure. He was in
bed with his clothes on, covered head to toe in excrement.” Berelle's smile was broad and
proud as he recounted his son’s latest adventure.
    Jatar poked Berelle in the chest with his
forefinger as he said, “He reminds me of you. Remember the four
years that you, Pellev , Verdew and I were fostered
together? It seems like we were in trouble more often than not. I
recall one episode during the year we spent here when all four of
us got into the snerg pens.
Remember how we pretended to be knights on battle mounts as we rode
our sordid, snorting and squealing stallions? When we were through
I think there was more mud and snerg manure than boy on what walked into the palace. After they scoured us, with both water and
words, I remember Grandfather putting us over his knee in hopes of
beating some brains up into our heads.”
    Laughing, Berelle clapped Jatar on the back
with his big meaty hand. The blow caused his friend to stagger
forward a half step. “I don’t think it worked, at least not the
first time, but it wasn’t the only time your grandfather put us
over his knee before he died. It’s too bad he isn’t around
physically to do the same for my boys; I could use the help. If
your Grandfather hadn't passed away I would have sent for him to
straighten out young Calt. You know, it’s been a while since I’ve
had a chance to speak with your Grandfather... would you mind?”
    “Of course not Berelle, he always enjoys
speaking with you, but…” Jatar glanced over his shoulder to make
sure that no one was near enough to listen, “…I don’t have the
family ring right now.”
    Berelle looked puzzled. “I thought you
always wore it?”
    “G’Taklar, a young cousin, is on his first
embassy to Zinterdalin to
negotiate some trade agreements for Lindankar. Those negotiations
are very important, so I wanted to give him my personal attention, after all, G’Taklar has to deal with Lord Ufer Hervet .”
    “Do you think it was wise to send your
inexperienced cousin to deal with Lord Hervet ? He will be lucky to come away with his shirt!”
Berelle scoffed.
    “I know, but with Michael’s official
recognition as heir coming up, I
couldn’t be away. I made the decision to send the family cathexis
ring with G’Taklar. I’ve worn it long enough to imprint, so when he
needs advice he can consult with my personality within the cathexis
ring. I know it was a big risk sending the ring, but in a way I’m
still with it, guiding G’Taklar from within. My cousin is an honest
and intelligent youth who only needs some seasoning to make a fine
man. He’s spent too much time studying in the palace and not enough
time experiencing real life. The negotiations are important enough
to be worth the slight risk to the ring, yet not so difficult that
G’Taklar can’t handle them with an occasional input from my imprint
within the cathexis. Besides you can well bet that I sent some
worthy protection with G’Taklar. No one knows of this, except me,
Elizabeth and now you, so I would consider it a great favor if you
would keep it behind your beard.”
    “ Of course, Jatar, am I not your bond brother, sworn with blood?”
    Jatar smiled and looked at the faint scar on
the palm of his right hand. “ Yes, you are; which is why you are one of only five people