The Farseekers by Isobelle Carmody Read Free Book Online

foot, especially one so far and through such terrain. We needed the horses. 'What if the journey were a test - to see if your kind and mine could really be allies, working together, trusting one another?'
    The black horse stood very still but he did not respond. 'A way to find out if your kind and mine can work in accord,' I went on softly. 'A test in which funaga must pretend to have no special abilities and equines must pull carts, be ridden by funaga, and reined.'
    The horse reared violently and Alad started back swearing. I had expected the reaction knowing the younger horses would not even tolerate a modified rein, and would only work with beastspeakers.
    The black horse bucked and reared, driving blade-like hooves deep into the ground. At last he calmed and turned to face me, his coat dark with sweat. 'What if all who journeyed were slain? What if this journey failed?'
    'If the equines did their part faithfully, the test would be judged a success - regardless of the outcome. And one of your kind would sit at Guildmerge.'
    I knew I was offering what I had no right to offer, but I had no doubt Rushton would concur. He knew we needed the horses.
    Alad should have brought the black horse before Council and let it make out a case. Its obvious hatred of humans would have been balanced by its intelligence and strength of mind. The horses were worthy allies, though I doubted animals like the black horse would ever be friends to their former masters.
    'It shall be as you have stated, Funaga,' the horse said finally. 'I will find those to draw your cart for this testing. But I will join your expedition also. Not to draw a cart, but to bear you. Then we will see whose kind is best fitted to lead.'
    'Elspeth, you can't!' Alad cried aloud. 'Rushton will have a fit!'
    The black horse did not take its eyes from mine and there was challenge and cold amusement in his look. He was daring me to agree, certain I would refuse.
    I took a deep breath, ignoring the horrified Beasting guildmaster. 'It will be as you say, Equine. Together we will deceive the Lowlanders into thinking I am your master.'
    The horse neighed its laughter.

5
    'Who are you?'
    Young, I assured Ceirwan.
    'Where are you? I know you're there. I feel you.'
    The probe was clumsy and its movements graceless and badly focused, but I was surprised to find he had sensed my presence since I was tightly shielded. I let my probe brush against his fleetingly, testing.
    His mind stabbed out in fright. 'Are you a demon?'
    Even while he grappled with my shielded probe, I entered him at a deeper level, deepprobing to find trace memories of the encounter with Zarak. The meeting had had a huge impact on his mind. I was amused to find he thought Zarak a minor demon come to test his faith.
    I decided to risk contact. If he reacted by calling out to his masters, I would stun him and Domick would manufacture a coercive block.
    Rushton had insisted Domick monitor the attempt after being reluctantly convinced we had to establish how much damage had been done, and whether Zarak's probe had been traced back to Obernewtyn. I suspected Domick had orders to cripple the boy's mind if there were any risk of the Herders using him.
    'Do your elders know of us?' I sent.
    The boy's mind recoiled from my mental blast. I had deliberately made it harsh and even slightly painful. While the boy believed he was dealing with demons, we were in no real danger.
    'It is the way of a priest to undergo his tests in silence, Demon. My master has warned me your kind would try to shake my faith,' the young Herder sent proudly.
    I had read from his thoughts that he was a novice or apprentice priest. Born and bred on Herder Isle to servants of the priests, he had been Chosen to join the priesthood. After initial training, he had been sent to Darthnor Cloister to serve out his apprenticeship in the Highlands. Ironically, he had become aware of his powers under the rigorous mental training of the priesthood.
    He was