Firebrand Read Online Free

spinning in a dizzying frenzy. He felt compelled to join and reached toward then when suddenly the music began to die away as he felt a strong tug on his outstretched hand. He blinked hard. When he was again able to focus, he saw that both feet were once again outside the ring.
    “Only those who open their hearts and mind and souls to the realm may see what you have seen,” Tolhram said. “Humans have slowly been taking the rings with their expansions. Now, after seeing, do you still desire to destroy Everwood?”
    Marcus could not speak. Yes, it was true. In some aspects, he did kill the woods. He didn’t drive the bulldozers or backhoe’s that flattened the lush foliage into match sticks, but he was equally to blame. The full force of his role in development hit him as though he had jumped from the cliffs behind him.
    “I never realized that the lore could be true and the woods could house more than trees.” Proof stood before him in the form of the fragile creature holding her baby. “But rest assured that I will do what I can.”
    Tolhram leaned forward slightly then moved back again. “I believe you Drakeman.”
    Marcus’ eyes shifted to those of the fairy woman. “Will she be safe if I do?”
    Tolhram shook his head. “The babe is a Halfling, an aberration among us.”
    “But your daughter is her mother, the baby your grandchild. Surely you can do something to help them.”
    “I am a Mage, a leader of my people, and the edict of a code older than even myself does not exempt me from the laws of our land.”
    At that moment the Mage and his daughter both looked up. Marcus did also, but saw nothing.
    “He is near.” Tolhram said.
    “Who?”
    “The Dullahan.”
    Again Marcus looked skyward. “I don’t see anything.”
    “Tis something that you should never wish to see. I have placed us in Vall.”
    “Vall?”
    “A covering so that we cannot be seen. But it will not last.”
    Alara’s voice broke the silence. “
Vo smzy yrno si uvnze yk Erin.”
    Marcus whirled to face her. He might not understand what she’d said, but he clearly had heard his wife’s name. “Erin. That’s my wife. What did she say about Erin?”
    The Mage passed his hand in front of his daughter’s face and nodded to her.
    “Please father, I’ve seen his mate. Her will is almost at an end. Her heart is but a shadow of what it once was.”
    Marcus turned his attention to Alara. “You know about Erin.”
    Alara nodded. “We have chosen her.” She extended her precious bundle to Marcus. “She must care for this child.”
    The Mage put a hand on his daughter’s arm. “You know what that means? Do you not?”
    She looked at her child. “I do.”
    An eerie sound passed overhead. Alara pulled the baby back into her arms and crouched down in a protective stance when it began to cry. Marcus could now hear huge wings pounding the air, splitting the night sky like thunder.
    “We do not have much time father. If the Dullahan finds the child, he will take her to Gorash.” Alara’s large almond shaped eyes darkened again with fear.
    Tolhram gazed down at the baby. “I have cultivated a great fondness for my granddaughter in secret even though it is forbidden by precept to do so.” A look of relief passed over Alara’s face. “But the child must leave us as much for her sake as for ours.” With great sorrow in his movements, Tolhram took the baby from Alara’s arms. He touched her head, her chest and her eyes as in a blessing before whispering into the babe’s tiny ear. Then he handed the child back to Alara and lowered his eyes.
    She walked to Marcus. His arms, seemingly of their own accord, reached out and took the baby from her. He cradled it close. Although he saw Alara smile, he knew grief when he saw it. He’d lived with it these many years as he watched his wife slip deeper into the quiet darkness of her anguish.
    He looked down at the child as Alara spoke. “She is yours to care for now. Yours and Erin’s.” Her