The Conqueror's Shadow Read Online Free Page B

Valescienn. I’m tired.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œDo it! And tell Davro his people may return to their homes as well.”
    Valescienn nodded, steeling himself for his final question. “And my lord? What of you?” For they both knew the approaching army would happily have let every last man, ogre, and gnome escape unharmed, if they could get their hands on Corvis Rebaine.
    â€œSeilloah’s protections will hold for some time. That should shield me from conventional scrying techniques. Nor am I without power of my own, when those fail.”
    /Hmm. Not exactly “your” power, is it?/
    Rebaine ignored that, and Valescienn remained ignorant of the conversation’sthird participant. “I should be able to avoid them for quite a while,” Rebaine added.
    â€œAnd if Vhoune should send a hunter after you?”
    â€œHunting spells require someone who has seen the target, closely, within a few months or so, Valescienn. Neither Vhoune, nor anyone else in Lorum’s employ, has.”
    â€œNo,” the other man said softly, “but there are those who have.” His eyes, cold as gnome’s blood, swept the room. “Say the word, my lord, and they’re all dead.”
    Only the enclosure of the hideous helm stifled Rebaine’s faint sigh. “No, Valescienn. There’s been enough death today.”
    â€œThen how do you plan to protect yourself?”
    â€œBetter, I think, to risk one than to slay them all. I know Rheah Vhoune. She’s skilled, she’s determined, but she is not near as ruthless as she pretends. I don’t think she’ll risk a hunter if she knows I’ve someone who would suffer the consequences alongside me.”
    â€œA hostage, my lord?”
    â€œI see no other alternative.” He examined the hostages, surveying his options—a sham, for Valescienn’s benefit. He’d already made his choice.
    /You have no idea the trouble you’re courting,/
Khanda snapped inside his mind.
    â€œTyannon!” Rebaine barked, ignoring his unseen companion. “Come here.”
    The young woman stepped forward, her face whiter than the bone on Rebaine’s armor. He reached out and pulled her near, so near she choked on the scent of smoke and oiled steel.
    â€œTyannon, listen to me.” He spoke softly. “Whether you believe me or not, I mean you no harm. Your blood serves no purpose; you do. When that purpose is served, you will be free to leave. You have my vow.”
    â€œYou—you could just force me, my lord.”
    â€œI could. But I cannot afford to have you fighting me right now. If you will not come willingly, I will have to choose …” The mask inclined, ever so slightly, toward little Jassion, huddled behind his sister’s legs. “Someone who
cannot
fight me.”
    Tyannon shut her eyes tight, fighting back sudden tears. “I will go with you, my lord.”
    â€œGood.” Rebaine, suddenly aware of how close she was, stepped back abruptly; now was not the time for such distractions. Instead, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her along after him, ignoring the sudden wailing from her baby brother.
    â€œValescienn, farewell.”
    â€œUntil we meet again, my lord.” The clashing and the cries of battle in the streets began to seep into the room through cracks in the stone. “You’d better go.”
    The skull-mask nodded once. Then, too quietly for anyone else to hear, “Khanda?”
    /Yes, foolish one?/
    â€œI believe it’s time for us to depart.”
    /You realize I could probably protect you from any hunters they sent after you. You don’t need the girl./
    â€œ
‘Probably’ isn’t good enough right now.”
    A sudden flash of blinding red light, and they were gone.

    VALESCIENN WATCHED as his lord disappeared, ignoring the growing sounds of battle. Rebaine, for all his skill and power, had his blind spots. It was a flaw