Halfstone: A Tale of the Narathlands by Daniel White Read Free Book Online

“They definitely
thought it was important to send me. Usually they would have assigned a job
like this to someone far more experienced, but it was clearly urgent and I was
already travelling south. They said they were sending other aeras, too. I have
rarely heard of someone being appointed more than one. They must have known that
the threat to you was great.”
    “Aera? That is what you are called?”
    “Yes, it means ‘guardian’ in old Narthtongue.”
    “Why were you travelling south?”
    “Actually, I was on my way to Jon’s. I was told that watching over
him would be an easy assignment, to finish my training. I doubt they expected
he would ever be in any real danger. As far as I am aware he is not commonly
known of these days.”
    “You were to protect him because he is a wielder?”
    “Yes.”
    “But why would anyone want to protect me?” Aldrick asked, mystified.
“I am no wielder. I am not… special or important.”
    A mysterious smile grew on Télia’s face.
    “You really don’t know who you are, do you?” she asked, eying him.
    “Something is telling me I don’t…”
    She surveyed him for a moment longer, then rested back against the
headboard of the bed. “You know, when I was ordered to protect you, the name I
was given was Aedimon. You are not known by that name in Rain?”
    “Aedimon,” Aldrick repeated curiously. “No, though I was adopted
as a baby.”
    “I see.”
    “Wait, if you were given the wrong name, how did you know I was
the one you were looking for?”
    Télia’s eyes twinkled.
    “I have my ways,” she said slyly then, changing the subject, “So
how is it that you know Jon? I find that oddly coincidental.”
    “I knew him growing up. He is an old friend of my par… foster
parents. My foster father, Braem, left to see him after the ka-zchen attacked
me. I think they both know something about me, about my real parents. Maybe they
were the Aedimons.”
    “I think you may be correct,” said Télia. “I believe Jon
will have the answers you seek.”
    “He truly is a wielder?”
    She nodded. “Yes.”
    Aldrick pondered. Why had his life been shrouded in secrecy? He
began to wonder about his birth parents. Who had they been? Maybe they weren’t
simple merchants or farmhands as he had always imagined. He would know soon
enough.
    Gentle rain began to fall. The evening had faded to darkness. Roan
kindly gave them a number of candles which they set on the table to provide
some lighting. Although the threat of an attack lingered, the mood lightened and
their conversation soon turned to stories of their upbringings. Aldrick
recounted childhood memories of living against the mountains, of exploring the
forests, of hunting and farming. Télia kept her stories rather brief, always
more eager to hear his own. She told of a childhood raised in Daraki’ Anya, a
village neighbouring a larger city, Galdrem. He knew of Galdrem, of course. It
was the capital city of the Narathlands, located in Morn, one of the northernmost
provinces. She had been born the daughter of a high council member and had
chosen her line of work because it offered travel, adventure, an escape from
the monotony of day-to-day life. He reasoned they were similar in this respect—their
dreams were not bound by the horizon.
    While she spoke, Aldrick gazed upon Télia. Her beauty shone in the
candlelight. She had removed her tunic and sat with blankets wrapped around
her. He lay on his side across the end of the bed. Gradually gravity seemed to
change direction, compelling him toward her, but he resisted. Though
intoxicatingly alluring, her presence was unnerving, her beauty and grace
daunting. Besides, there were currently far more concerning events unfolding.
She had other things on her mind, some of which she had not voiced.
    In time the soft patter of the rain made Aldrick drowsy. Télia
kindly allowed him space beside her to lie down and stretch his legs. She
remained sitting, seemingly restless once more. Her