Scepters

Scepters by L. E. Modesitt Read Free Book Online

Book: Scepters by L. E. Modesitt Read Free Book Online
Authors: L. E. Modesitt
Still, it was summer, and
he couldn’t afford not to graze the nightsheep, not when they needed the
quarasote to produce premium nightsilk.
    The
wind continued mild, even after he had the flock on the eastern downslope of
Westridge and headed due east through the section that had not been grazed for
nearly a month. He kept the flock moving until they had covered another four
vingts from the eastern edge of the long, low ridge. All the time, Alucius
checked the clouds—and the wind—both with his senses and his Talent.
    The
flock had not been grazing the more recent, if not fresh, quarasote shoots for
more than half a glass when the lead nightram lifted his head. Alucius could
feel the animal’s apprehension and eased the gelding forward. The gray picked
his path carefully through the widely spaced quarasote bushes. While the shoots
were flexible enough, the spikes at the base of those shoots could rip through
hide and flesh.
    Another
nightram raised his head, as did several ewes. The subordinate males eased
forward, shoulder to shoulder, to stand beside the leader, ready to lower their
horns. The ewes edged in behind the rams, nudging the lambs to the center.
    A
gust of colder wind swept in from the north, then died away, but the calm
lasted for only a few long moments before the chill gusts resumed, and the sky
continued to darken as the clouds massed overhead and thickened.
    Should
he have turned back? Usually, Alucius could sense storms as violent as this one
promised to be. Had he misjudged the incoming weather because of his concerns?
Or was it just a Talent-spawned freak storm?
    A
low, almost bugling call issued from the lead ram.
    Alucius
could feel the presence of the sandwolves, the grayish violet rising from the
south, as solid to his Talent as the wind upon his face. He turned the gray
southward, toward the rear of the flock. A sudden gust of wind swirled gritty
dust at the herder, but Alucius eased the gelding onward, back toward the
stragglers at the rear. He slipped out the top rifle and cocked it as he
continued to survey the land to the south and east.
    Behind
the swirling dust and grit, more than a half vingt to the east, the shifting
shadows that were the sandwolves edged through the quarasote bushes as if it
were twilight or dawn rather than just midmorning. Their long, crystal fangs
glittered, even though there was no direct light.
    Stop ! Alucius threw the command out toward the nearing
pack.
    Several
of the animals seemed to shiver, and one whimpered, dropping flat beside the
silvered leaves of a third-year quarasote.
    The
pack leader slowed, but continued to move toward the flock. After a moment, the
others followed, if more cautiously.
    Danger! Stop!
    Alucius
could sense a whimper somewhere, as if his order had caused pain, but the pack,
eight animals in all, continued to close on the night-sheep.
    A
young ram appeared, interposing himself between one of the flanking sandwolves
and a ewe, and, without even pawing the ground, charged the sandwolf. Caught
off guard by the unexpected move, the sandwolf—a younger animal than the pack
leader—tried to dodge, but he was too slow, and the razored black horns of the
nightram slashed deeply into his chest. The sandwolf staggered, and his legs
collapsed.
    In
the moment of silence, Alucius lifted the rifle, sighting in on the pack
leader.
    Crack ! The bullet slammed into the lead wolf’s chest.
    Crack ! The second shot took another sandwolf, and Alucius
recocked the rifle and aimed toward the next most visible stalker. Crack !
    The
third sandwolf dropped, then rolled and tried to struggle to its feet.
    A
wave of hatred, bloodlust, rage, fear—all those feelings and more—surged around
the herder. The gray gelding sidestepped, then whuffed ,
then took a step back.
    A
long howl rose from somewhere, and Alucius could feel the pack stopping, if
reluctantly.
    “Easy
there… easy…” Alucius had already recocked the rifle.
    Abruptly,
dark forms were

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