Jim Farris Mage 5 The Mountain, The Raven and The Sea

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.But, there was no jarring impact with the sand of the beach.Instead, agiant hand reached down, gently catching the skiff and stopping it.A secondhand cradled the stern of the little skiff carefully, and shoved it smoothlyashore, well clear of the waves.The giant, who now knelt beside the skiff,rumbled something in his deep voice that Corvid did not understand, grinningdown at the three humans.Corvid grinned back up at the enormous creature, hisheart thudding with both fear and exhilaration."How do you say 'thank you' inhis language, Father?"Father Patience chuckled, looking up to the giant, and spoke briefly.Thegiant replied in turn, and Father Patience nodded."He says you're welcome,and he bids us welcome to the territory of his tribe.He also offers to takeus to his village for a feast.I have accepted, of course - declining thehospitality of a giant is not wise."Corvid grinned again."Err.He means a feast in our honor, I hope? Idon't think the three of us would make much of a meal for people his size."Both Father Patience and the slave-girl gaped at Corvid, then burst outlaughing.Page 122ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlThe Ocean - Twelve.I'd already shucked my dress, and stood in my scales, boots and gloves,awaiting the enemy.Eddas Ayar had commanded everyone to flee to the south,following the road.The moon was bright and full, with luck, they wouldn't getlost - but it was obvious they could not stay here.The bright campfire wouldserve to lure the enemy to a central point, and I could hear the strangesounds of their approach.The rattle of armor from many men I couldrecognize, but other noises that overlaid a strange thumping sound, I couldnot.Eddas had caught the young apprentice by the shoulder, and told him toremain.As the sounds of the approaching enemy drew nearer, he spoke."Likelythis is a small scouting force, sent to investigate our fire.Marilith, watchVaddan and your sister closely, and use your spells defensively to guard them.I'll be casting the spell of Reverse Missiles now, but I'll have to leave therest up to you.Sasha, Vaddan, I'm going to cast a defensive wall about us,but it may not hold them back.Be prepared to defend us against any of theirmelee troops that may get through.Barag, you were taught a spell oftransference, yes?""Yes," he replied, trembling nervously."Good.Watch myself and Marilith, and use it if you see either of usappear to tire.Marilith, drop that human form, you don't need it right now,it just occupies a part of your will for no purpose," she said, and begangesturing over each of us, muttering an incantation."Yes, Master Eddas," Marilith replied, and shimmered for a moment,returning to her humanoid horse form.Vaddan stepped to my side, his sword drawn, as Barag gaped at Marilith."Ademon!" Barag yelped."Yes, I have interesting acquaintances," Eddas replied dryly."Now focus,apprentice.Your very life depends on it.""There they are!" Marilith called, pointing.Page 123ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlSuddenly, I saw them walking cautiously out of the forest.Nine men instrange, bronze armor - ornately engraved plates that covered them from headto toe, their helmets completely covering their heads.Two of them borestrange crossbows, while the rest bore long staves with double-axes at eachend.Behind them, however, was a machine of such incredible design, it took mybreath away.At least twelve cubits tall, it walked on two bird-like legs, and had around, bulbous body.From it's sides dangled two ape-like arms, blunt andending in long rectangular boxes instead of hands.A slim slit a palm's widthwide went across it's front, the slit filled with gleaming glass.The bronzebehemoth strode cautiously into the clearing, then a voice emanated from it."Surrender now, or be slain," the creature called, the little amulet EddasAyar gave me four years ago allowing me to understand it's language."Oh, rather," Eddas replied, and gestured with her staff.A moment later,the ground exploded, clearing a circle completely about us ten paces across,the ground bared two paces wide and a cubit deep.Without pause, she gesturedagain, and a wall of flame filled the bared earth, crackling and burning ninecubits high.The warriors near the edge backed away from the heat, but themachine did not seem affected at all."That machine.That's one of the ones that shoots flame!" Barag called."Good to know, thank you, Apprentice," Eddas replied, "Marilith, be readywith a pyrotic shield.""Follow, take down the spellcasters first," the machine called to thesoldiers nearby, then strode forward, crossing the flames easily.It loweredit's arms, pointing them at us, then I felt a tingling in the palms of themagic gloves my sister had made for me.Twin blasts of flame came from themachine's arms as Marilith gestured.then was deflected, wrapping around us as though boiling over aninvisible sphere, to no effect.The machine stood there a moment, as thoughconfused [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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