Illidan by William King Read Free Book Online Page A

youth in the temple. It was…It
is
a holy place. I would not see it desecrated again.”
    Maiev considered this. Akama seemed to be talking as much to himself as to her. There was pain in his voice, and a real sense of loss. “So what do you plan on doing?”
    “At the moment, there is nothing we can do.”
    “What?” Maiev could not keep the shock from her voice. Her knuckles went white on the hilt of her blade. She had come here expecting either an ambush or a potential ally. Her soul cried out for action. How could this pitiful ancient sit there with Illidan loose?
    “Illidan is too strong. He is backed by Prince Kael’thas and Lady Vashj. I believe you have already met them. To your cost.”
    “I do not fear them.”
    “Perhaps you should.”
    “It is not for you to tell me whom I should or should not fear.”
    Akama made a small, apologetic gesture with his left hand. “I can see that.”
    “Did you come here to beg for my aid and then cringe in these ruins?” Perhaps he was unimpressed by the size of her force. Perhaps he did not believe she was capable of capturing Illidan. Perhaps he had judged her and found her wanting. “You ask for my aid and yet you offer me nothing.”
    “You elves—how can you live so long and learn so little of patience? There is a time for everything, and a place. The best revenge is not hurried.”
    “I do not seek revenge. I seek justice.”
    “Yes, I can see you believe that.” This time she was certain there was mockery in his voice. Akama turned to look into the distance once more. Something large broke the surface and splashed back down into the water again. One of the big insects vanished with it. “They can wait for days, those snappers. Immobile. Torpid. You would never think them a threat. But let prey come within reach, and they strike. Their jaws can take an arm off.”
    “You plan on imitating some fish?”
    “It is an eel.”
    “I did not come here for a lesson in piscine taxonomy.”
    “But you came here for something.”
    “How can I help you when you will not help me?”
    “When the time is right, I will give you all the help you need. But I will not have my people needlessly slaughtered because of your recklessness.”
    Maiev unclenched her fingers from her weapon. She put her hands by her sides and then flexed them. She took a deep breath and sought inner stillness. Slowly her fury diminished. “Very well. At least tell me what he is doing now.”
    “He is taking Magtheridon to Hellfire Citadel.”
    “Why?”
    Akama shrugged. “He does not tell me everything.”
    “Perhaps because he does not trust you.”
    “Perhaps he has reason.” The Broken fumbled within a pouch hanging from his waist. He produced a small, rough-looking stone inscribed with strange runes. He held it out to Maiev in the flat of his palm. She looked at it but made no attempt to take it. She could sense magic in it. It did not have the foulness of fel sorcery or the wickedness of arcane magic. As far as she could tell.
    “Through this I will contact you when I have something worth telling. I carry its twin.” The stone still lay on his outstretched palm. “Of course, if you are afraid to take it, we can find another way…”
    Maiev snatched the stone from his hand. The presence of magic tingled against her gauntlet. Nothing terrible happened. “As you wish.”
    Akama made a small bow. “I can see why he fears you. You are very much alike.”
    Akama walked away, leaving Maiev to stare at her reflection in the dark mirror of the lake. Her image glared back at her, a picture of frustrated fury. She stooped, picked up a pebble, and lobbed it into the water, smashing her likeness into ripples.

S lowly Maiev and her Watchers crept over the warm rocks. The blazing sun of Hellfire Peninsula sent long shadows sweeping away from the large boulders. It had been a lengthy ride back from Zangarmarsh, made at great speed, but it would be worth all the saddle sores if she caught