The Pegasus's Lament by Martin Hengst Read Free Book Online

passage.
    Tionne stood motionless. It was the first time she had killed anyone. She knew he was dead. She had felt his presence pass beyond the physical world. If she was expecting to feel remorse, or glee, or joy, she was disappointed. She felt nothing. It was just a thing that she had done. He had meant nothing to her. He had probably not meant much to anyone. She had protected herself and provided a service. This man wouldn't again bother any young girl in an alley.
    A strange sensation overwhelmed her and she thought, with sudden panic, that she might be reacting in some way to the taking of another life. Then she realized that the feeling was coming from inside her robes, a gentle vibration from the pocket where she had slipped the stone. She reached inside and withdrew it, feeling it shake against her hand. It tugged her toward the body and she took a reluctant step forward.
    The nearer she got, the more insistent the stone was, pulling her toward the blood. Finally, Tionne released the stone. It skittered across the ground of its own accord, stopping near the blood pooled near the body. She watched with curious fascination as the stone seemed to absorb all the blood from the body, drawing it out of the orifices and leaving the body a withered husk. She was glad that the man had fallen face down. She wasn't sure she wanted to see what the stone had done to him in any more detail.
    It was pulsing with crimson light, beckoning to her. She felt its pull and Tionne suddenly knew what the stone was. It was a bloodstone. It had its own type of magic, activated by the power of the blood. As she picked it up, she felt it pulling her, guiding her. She took a few steps forward and the stone pulled her this way or that.
    Tionne continued to walk, following the pull of the stone and allowing it to lead her where it willed. She had no doubt that it would take her to Nerillia and the rest of her people.
     

 
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
     
    Tiadaria had never been more glad to see the gates of Dragonfell. Their passage through the last gate in the pass through the Dragonback Mountains meant that the weeklong journey was at an end, but more importantly, that she and Wynn would have some space from each other.
    It wasn't that she didn't understand why he was upset, it was just that she wished he wouldn't linger on it so. She knew she hurt him, and it broke her heart to do it, but she just couldn't abandon her duties to the King and crown without a second thought. If nothing else, the Captain had taught her that her honor was everything.
    A sidelong glance was all she dared as they descended the last gentle slope before they'd be on the valley floor. Wynn was looking the other way, which was probably just as well. It seemed like every time they talked they were snapping at each other. They'd always been able to overcome their differences, but Tia was worried that this time, the chasm would be too wide to bridge.
    “I'll be glad to get into the city,” he said, almost as if he was hearing her thoughts. “I'm tired of traveling.”
    “ Me too,” Tia replied, her voice soft and tired. That, at least, was innocuous enough that it wouldn't lead to another fight.
    Wynn must have decided the same, as the conversation ended at that point. The horses continued their gentle, plodding gait. It was almost enough to lull Tia to sleep. Would have been, probably, if she hadn't been so upset. As it was, she kept her eyes on the horizon and the city walls that were growing steadily taller.
    As the hard packed earth gave way to cobbled streets, they passed the first of the city guard posts. They presented their papers, chatted a bit with the duty guard about the condition of the roads and the trip into the capital, and then they went on their way. Not more than five minutes after they had left the outpost, a guard courier on a steel grey charger raced passed them. Nightwind shied to the side, letting the faster beast pass.
    “ Run me off the road