Veneficus: Stones of the Chosen Read Online Free

are illusory he has
    succeeded in frightening people. I will talk to him.”
    Twilight looked at Merlin. I rebuked him.
    You spoke directly into his mind?
    Yes. He was stung.
    Good. It’s nothing more than the ragged old charlatan deserves. Nonetheless, I will add a small rebuke of my own tomorrow.
    “And the Lament of the Sorrows, who almost accounted for my father and finally finished off our gallant old horse.” Will, now Twilight, had reverted to speech.
    “You lost your horse! I didn’t know that. I will see that his sacrifice is commemorated. The Christians also celebrate a beast of burden as a bearing talisman - an ass, I believe. Carried their Nazarene prophet along a tortuous path in much the same way as your gallant horse. As for the Sorrows, you are both here, so you overcame their dark realms. To those of a venefical calling they are but a minor irritant, yet to common folk their soft caresses can lure a man to his death. Life must not be too easy; there must be dangers to encourage boldness if the entire tribe of humankind is not to become cowerers.”
    Cowerers? The boy’s dark eyes flashed the question.
    All in good time, my little skirmisher, all in good time.
    The mighty wizard smiled and clapped his large hands.
    “Enough! I am failing in my duty as a host to tired, hungry travelers. There will be time for me to amaze you with the enchantments and the lore of miracle mongering tomorrow.”
    The earth was ruled by the Olympian gods, a group of nine primary immortal deities comprising Zeus, as leader, Poseidon, Hera, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Helios, Hermes, and Tiresias. When the world was first created from Chaos, the Titans, also known as the elder gods, ruled the earth before being overthrown by the Olympians. The Titans were punished by Zeus through banishment to Tartarus. Titans were named after planets, and their defeated ruling Presidium comprised: Gaea, Uranus, Cronus, Rhea, Oceanus, Tethys, Hyperion, Mnemosyne, Themis, Iapetus, Coeus, Crius, Phoebe, Thea, Prometheus, Epimetheus, Atlas, Metis, and Dione.
    The ruler of the Titans was Cronus, who was overthrown by his son … Zeus.
Chapter Three
    “I have lived for ninety-three years,” said Merlin, making himself comfortable on a fallen beech trunk outside the woven willow gates of his stoutly stockaded compound. It was the following day, and they had just waved the boy’s father off on his return journey, mounted upon a sturdy young horse. The wizard had carefully instructed Sam Timms on the route he should take around the perimeter of the great Savernake in order to avoid any problems like those encountered on the journey there. This time he was on his own.
    “You will hear many otherworld legends and whispered asides on how to extend life, various paradises where eternal life is available, magical rivers where bathing can extend life, and the sight of rare and exquisitely beautiful objects, such as the Holy Grail, which will grant the beholder extended life. All of it is rubbish, Twilight. Eternal or extended life is unobtainable. Each will occupy his place in this world for his allotted time. The human life span is far too precious to be infinite, even for a veneficus. Infinity would devalue the individual contribution. When I get to a hundred my life and powers will leave me. Sorcery cannot survive alongside frailty - it’s too serious a business for that. Even now I can feel some of my gifts waning. The ability to work magus wonders against the material laws that govern our universe requires a person who is strong in both mind and body. It is an exhausting business with no room for error - the consequences of getting it wrong can be horrific, and I will cover that subject with you very soon. That is why I have fretted over your coming for the past year or so. Now you are here, and I have just seven years left in which to impart a lifetime of experiences. I took mine from the Elder Pendragon, and you, my dark-eyed little skirmisher,