The Obsidian Temple by Kelley Grant Read Free Book Online Page A

detecting them if they do not wish it.”
    Ava nudged her mount next to Sulis after they broke camp and began the journey again.
    â€œWho were they?” Ava asked curiously.
    â€œThe Bedu nomads. Fierce warrior tribes that claim territories in the Sands. They’re almost as good a defense against desert intruders as the lack of water is.”
    The days were searingly hot, with endless stretches of sand in front of them. Grandmother Hasifel and Master Anchee began to ride beside Ava and Sulis, giving them lessons.
    â€œYou asked me the other day, Sulis, what language it is that Anchee and I spoke,” Grandmother said, waking Sulis from her reverie. “It is an ancient language, called Kalanda, which is rarely spoken in this era. It is the language of those who study and dedicate themselves to the powers of the One. These long rides are a perfect time to begin studying Kalanda .”
    â€œCan’t you just stick it in my head, like you put Sanisk into Ava’s?” Sulis asked.
    Grandmother frowned. “Feeling lazy, are we?” she asked. “Ava’s mind was not strong when she came here, making it accessible to my intrusion. Perhaps when you were recovering from your injuries, I might have been able to do the same to you. But you had not made your choice to stay in the desert, and I had no idea if you would attempt to return to Illian as your mother did.” She smiled. “I am pleased to say that both you and Ava are now too strong to be influenced. So hard work it is. Master Anchee will help drill it into your heads. Now, let’s start with the word for meditation . . .”
    Close to sundown, they came upon a waystone in the sand. Beyond it was a seemingly endless series of dunes, waving into the distance.
    Grandmother ordered her humpback to kneel and gracefully dismounted. She waved for Sulis to do the same.
    â€œSince you are no longer promised to the Northern Temple, I will teach you the commands to release the protections and dispel the illusion over the oasis,” she told Sulis. “They will seem familiar, as you have been studying the language all day today. Now calm your mind and focus on what is absent.”
    Sulis obediently closed her eyes and quieted her breath, seeking outward with her mind. There was something hidden and waiting to be revealed, as she had felt on all her trips through the desert. Uncle Aaron had made her and Kadar stay back so they couldn’t hear him speak or see his gestures. When she caught a hint of the something , she opened her eyes.
    Grandmother nodded in approval. “Each oasis has a different gesture and command. Place your hands as so,” she said keeping her voice low. She crossed her arms over her heart and put the backs of her hands together. “Pinch the forefingers. The command is ‘ Kali assadamana. Harkane dessat! ’ said with all your will focused on revealing the unseen.”
    Sulis took a breath and closed her eyes, gathering her will. “ Kali assadamana! Harkane dessat! ” she commanded.
    A gasp from Ava made her open her eyes. A path now led to the right of the waystone, to a lush circle of green foliage and blue water.
    â€œNo reason to tell the entire desert,” her grandmother scolded, but her eyes crinkled around the edges in approval. “Soon you will be able to give the command in a whisper or even silently.”
    Grandmother waved the rest of the group forward. “Unload the humpbacks and lead them to water,” she commanded. “There is forage for them off to the right of the water. We will make camp here tonight.”
    T H E Y T R A V ELED ANOTHER week, deep into the heart of the desert. The small size of their party, combined with the low weight the humpbacks were carrying, allowed them to go at a faster pace than the caravans Sulis was used to traveling in. They did not stop at many of the oases. Ava learned the sacred language fast, which made Sulis