Elves: Beyond the Mists of Katura by James Barclay Read Free Book Online Page B

Julatsa.’
    Auum frowned. ‘And Julatsa is . . . ?’
    ‘The human magical college and city most closely aligned to the Il-Aryn in terms of ethics and magical constructions.’
    Takaar was so far within himself, Auum doubted he had heard Drech’s answer. With a tip of his head he indicated Drech should come around the table and speak with him. But before he moved,
Auum pointed at Takaar’s other lieutenant.
    ‘You, make sure he has water to hand and a place to sit when he comes back to himself.’
    The
iad
bobbed her head nervously. Takaar stared at Auum through faraway eyes.
    ‘Where are you going? We have so much to discuss. So much work to do.’
    ‘It’s all under control,’ said Auum. ‘Just one question: how many of your adepts are in Julatsa right now?’
    Takaar smiled broadly. ‘The programme is working so well. Our adepts have been welcomed by the Julatsans. They have shared their knowledge in return for the best of training in key
castings where our lore and energies connect.’
    Auum felt his heart rate increasing and a crawling sensation across his shoulders.
    ‘How many, Takaar?’
    ‘Our current success currently numbers four hundred and seventeen.’
    Auum gaped, he couldn’t help himself. He licked his lips, trying to frame a response, but his mind was struggling to comprehend the ramifications of that number. It was beyond his darkest
fears, potentially catastrophic beyond measure. And all the while Takaar smiled at him as if he’d made a decision that would bring them peace for eternity.
    ‘It is truly amazing, isn’t it?’ said Takaar. ‘What do you say, Auum?’
    Auum felt his control slip and he had no desire to regain it. He reached out and grabbed Takaar by his collar, hauling him across the table. Papers and weights scattered across the stone
warehouse floor. Takaar’s feet caught on the table edge, tipping it over to hit the ground with a resounding crack.
    Auum turned and pushed Takaar ahead of him, pushing him up against a wall with enough force to shake off dust and rattle the contents of nearby shelving. Takaar’s smile was gone now,
replaced by an expression of pained confusion. Auum spoke quietly though he knew every eye in the warehouse was on them.
    ‘I’ll tell you what I say. I say that you have trapped more than half of your magical strength on an enemy continent an ocean away from here. Four hundred and more who you have
promised to the defence of Calaius should the day come. I say that you have left our people vulnerable, and yet your answer is to send more of our defenders after those surely already lost.
    ‘I say that once again you have demonstrated your utter unsuitability to be in any position of influence or power. I am done with you.’
    Takaar laughed in his face. ‘You should be pleased, shouldn’t you? Four hundred of the adepts you so hate and wish had never been created, able to cast the magic you despise and deny
can help us, are overseas. Now’s your chance to show us how the mighty TaiGethen alone can defend Calaius from what is coming.’
    ‘And what is coming?’ asked Auum. ‘No, strike that. I don’t want to hear any more from you. I’ll ask the question of someone capable of answering it.’
    He let Takaar go and the mad elf sank to his haunches, back to the wall. Auum turned on his heel and strode towards Drech, who was standing with Ulysan and a human: Stein. Auum ignored
Takaar’s taunting and abuse and the angry stares of his acolytes.
    ‘Get him out of here,’ said Auum to Ulysan.
    ‘Got a point, though, hasn’t he?’ said the big TaiGethen.
    Auum shrugged. ‘Yes. Magic is damaging, as he proves daily. Those four hundred should be wearing the cloak of the Al-Arynaar, shouldn’t they? I wish they were not Il-Aryn but they
are. And at the base of it all, we need bodies here when our enemies attack.’
    Another tirade of abuse struck Auum’s broad back.
    ‘I’ll find him a place to lie down,’ said Ulysan.
    Auum