Sorcerer's Legacy by Janny Wurts Read Free Book Online

cluttered the dwelling of a Guild Sorcerer from her own land. Though Ielond’s walls were tiered floor to ceiling with the usual rows of dusty leather books, she found no implement of a Loremaster’s practice anywhere in the room.
    “Ielond’s sorceries were crafted entirely of mind and will,” said Kennaird. “His art was discipline; his power, self-awareness. He had no need of gimmicks.”
    Elienne stared. “Was it he who taught you to read thoughts?”
    Kennaird shook his head. “I was guessing. My training has not progressed so far.” He tapped a sheaf of papers with a finger. “But Ielond left much information on you and the place you came from. He had established knowledge of your existence before he broke the barrier of Time and left Pendaire. He had only to locate you and return.”
    “Why are you telling me this?”
    “I wished you to know just how much faith Ielond placed in you.” Kennaird rose hastily from his chair, heated for argument.
    Elienne interrupted. “I think I already know.” Her annoyance showed. “Ielond gave his life, and I my word, for the sake of Prince Darion’s succession. I realize I am a sorry substitute for your Master’s living presence, but that was his choice. Honor his memory by respecting it.” Elienne paused to rein in another stampede of tears. She was through crying over what could not be changed. “Don’t take your Master’s death out on me,” she finished shakily. “And quit trying to shepherd my conscience.”
    Kennaird looked down at the papers beneath his hands as though they held an answer for his uncertainty. The brown jerkin he had worn the night before had been replaced with a heavy black robe bordered at the cuffs with a triple band of blue. The deep colors contrasted harshly with his light hair and complexion, and morning light only accentuated the fatigue that ringed his eyes. For a moment, Elienne regretted her outburst. Ielond had not left his apprentice an easy legacy. But before she could offer apology, Kennaird rose and collected a document crusted with seals.
    “My Lady, the time has come to present you before the Grand Council of Pendaire.” With evident annoyance, he scooped the remaining papers into an untidy pile. Then he flung wide the study door and motioned the Lady of Ielond’s choosing over the threshold.
    Elienne waited on the balcony that overlooked the head of a spiral staircase while Kennaird set a ward to guard the doorway. His focus resolved after an interval of profound concentration. Compared with Ielond’s brilliant manifestation, the apprentice’s effort shone dimly, no more than a faint bluish gleam over his spread palm.
    Yet Elienne watched without criticism as he traced a pattern over the oaken panels above the knob. None of the Guild’s followers could have done as much with so little. Completed, the ward sparkled to invisibility.
    Blotting sweat from his brow, Kennaird nodded toward the stairs. “I hope you are as sturdy as you are stubborn. It’s a long way down.”
    The words were no understatement. By the time they reached the bottom, Elienne was grateful she had led an unfashionably active life for the wife of a Duke. She wondered briefly whether she would be as free to indulge in hawking and riding as wife of a King.
    Kennaird led her through an arched portal at ground level. The view beyond stopped Elienne in her tracks.
    The tower opened into an immense garden completely enclosed within a courtyard. Blue, orange, and yellow flowers bloomed in a magnificent array, framing fountains, lawns, and hedgerows with breath-stopping artistry. Above, washed in golden summer sunlight, and brilliant with pennants, rose the spires and battlements of the royal palace.
    “How beautiful,” exclaimed Elienne softly, but that moment she caught sight of a flaw amid the garden’s perfection. A dirty, dark-haired child sat huddled beneath an evergreen beside the path. She glared at the two of them, a scowl printed on