A Story Of River by Lana Axe Read Free Book Online Page B

binding. Later, I will show you how to combine the essence of
a beast with the essence of a man, creating a new creature in the process. For
now, practice on the slaves I've provided, and try not to waste them. I don't
have many disposable citizens yet. Not until we've taken Na'zora.”
    Ulda strode out of the room leaving his
pupils behind to master this new art. He was certain they would pick it up
quickly. They were eager to learn and to succeed.
    The stone corridor echoed with his
footsteps as he headed towards his throne room. Tapestries had been hung by his
command along all the walls. They featured colors from all the schools of magic
except for white. Ulda did not care for the healing arts. They were a waste of
his valuable time. Mystical bindings had always been his strong suit, and he
was pleased to be bringing them to a whole new level.
    The servants within bowed low as he
entered the throne room. Ignoring them, he perched himself upon the dark blue
cushion which had been crafted to mold to his body. He propped his feet upon a low stool and let his arms dangle over the sides of his throne.
    Tu'vad entered, stood before the throne,
and bowed.
    “How are the mines coming along?” Ulda
asked.
    “Nicely, your majesty,” Tu'vad replied.
“Miners are working around the clock in two shifts. They are finding some
larger gems than before, but no very large stones have been found just yet. We
will continue working.”
    “Very well,” Ulda said, bored with the news.
If he wanted to create stronger enchantments, he would need larger gems.
Waiting drove him mad, but there wasn't much else he could do. He trusted that
Tu'vad was pushing the miners as hard as possible without killing them.
Disgusting creatures that they were, Ulda needed their labor. At least he
didn't have to look at them often.
    “You may go, Tu'vad,” Ulda said, waving
his hand. “Send General Fru in. We need to discuss future plans.”
    “Right away, highness,” Tu'vad bowed and
took three steps backwards before leaving the room.
    Ulda sat idly staring up at the ceiling,
his fingers interlaced across his chest. Training his students this morning had
been exhausting work. They were all masters of arcane knowledge, but they
lacked discipline. They were arrogant and set in their ways despite being
rather young. Still, they were eager to learn what he could teach them.
Unlimited power was quite a tantalizing lure for a young sorcerer. Naturally,
he would not teach them everything. Should one of them try to overpower him, he
would need the few tricks he was holding back. He would not be overthrown.
    Finally, General Fru arrived in the throne
room and bowed.
    “Ah, General,” Ulda said, sitting up in
his seat. “We need to discuss plans for our future invasion of Na'zora. My
students are learning quickly and will soon be able to create more of our
wolf-man hybrids. We're going to need Na'zora's supply of souls if we are ever
to take over Ral'nassa. We should also consider attacking those pesky Wild
Elves. I can't imagine their essences being much more difficult to bind than a
human. Enlightened Elves, however, are going to prove a much greater
challenge.”
    “The weaponsmiths are working overtime to
create the finest swords and armor possible for our troops. Will your Soulbinders
be able to place enchantments on the blades, or will we need a rune carver?”
    “Enchanting a weapon is a mere trifle,”
Ulda said. “Minor ones can be done with only the essence of an animal. Rune
carving is well and good, but the enchantments created using a soul are much
stronger and more efficient. Have you appointed anyone to work with the
spiderlings yet?”
    “Yes, sir,” Fru replied. “They will be
grown in a few days and ready for your use.”
    “Excellent. I'm most excited to see this
new hybrid,” Ulda said. “My Soulbinders should be up to the task by then.”
    “Is there anything else you need from me,
sire?” Fru asked.
    “Not at this time. You