The Rift War by Michelle L. Levigne Read Free Book Online Page A

interloper,
someone to be dealt with and manipulated to acquiesce to what he thought best for the kingdom
his family had protected since Athrar entered his enchanted sleep? Would he consider her a tool,
a nuisance, and someone who had stolen the throne from underneath him, simply by being
born?
    "He is a good man. A loyal, strong, wise man. And it doesn't hurt that he's still young
and handsome," Mrillis said as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
    "That was sixteen years ago, Grandfather."
    "Hmm, yes, but not even two years in Lygroes' time. I don't expect him to have changed
that much since the last time I visited Quenlaque."
    "Nor has the situation with Edrout and the Encindi and the rebel enchanters." She
shivered as they reached the ground floor, remembering the nightmare she had suffered several
hours ago, about Edrout's attack that woke her from the enchantment of long sleep.
    "Hmm, yes, there is that." Mrillis laughed and gave her a gentle shove for the door that
would take them outside. "But consider this, my dear. Edrout likely thinks you are still a little
girl. He won't be ready for the warrior queen who comes against him, clad in star-metal
armor."
    "But when he learns that I have grown up and trained? When he learns I don't hold
Braenlicach?" Emrillian stepped through the door and jumped down the few steps. Across the
wide courtyard and gardens of their estate lay the stables, her horse, her weapons, and the
star-metal armor she had dreamed of for years before she gained the skill to actually make it.
Whether she had inherited her great-great-grandmother's visionary gift and the star-metal armor
had come about through prophetic guidance remained to be seen.
    "By the time he learns of that lack, you will be on your way to the Stronghold to retrieve
Braenlicach. No one but those born in the Stronghold may enter. No one but those of the
Warhawk's blood may wield Braenlicach."
    "If it accepts me. If it lets me." She shivered, though her armor and cloak and the clothes
underneath them had felt slightly too warm just a few moments ago.
    "You are the Lady Warhawk. You were spoken of in prophecy. Of course you will hold
Braenlicach and it will burn with fire and light and sing for you. Be sure of it, my dear." Mrillis
wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they crossed the courtyard of their house, for what
might possibly be the final time.
    * * * *
    The thought that he might never return to his scientific life thrilled and threatened to
paralyze Grego simultaneously. He had been unable to sleep when Mrillis had sent him home to
pack and rest up for their pre-dawn flight.
    He wrote a letter for Brysta, trying to explain his reasons without sounding insane. It
occurred to him that he would have felt better about lying to her, hiding this part of his life from
her, if she had ever showed some jealousy of his friendship with Emrillian. Brysta had
sometimes remarked that Emrillian seemed slightly distant from their friends, as if she held
herself back from them.
    Grego would have been angry with her, if Emrillian hadn't confided in him a few times
that she knew she was destined for a political marriage, and refused to let herself be tempted with
romantic 'foolery' and dreams. He had wished sometimes that his sweetheart and his closest
friend could confide in each other. Now, as he left a note for Brysta, he regretted having to leave
her behind. If she had been an Archaic, hungry for the days of Athrar Warhawk to return, she
would have been perfect. He might even have asked Mrillis to allow her to accompany them on
this flight.
    Would Brysta hate him, or be wistful, when she realized that he had thrown away all his
training, education, and hopes for advancement in the Science Directorate for the sake of magic
and honor and adventure, and hadn't been able to include her?
    Just how deep and real had their growing love been, if he couldn't share this most
precious part of his life with her?
    Too easily, Grego put away that