The White Order by L. E. Modesitt Jr. Read Free Book Online Page A

handcart.
       Cerryl stood and walked over to the back of the mule cart. “I can load these.” He took the top pair of floorboards.
       “We can get it done twice as fast together,” Brental said mildly.
       Cerryl didn't object. His feet still hurt, if not so much as before. Neither spoke while they stacked the boards.
       “Brental! Bring that cart back.”
       Brental nodded and wheeled the cart back into the mill, returning shortly with eight six-cubit timbers laid across it.
       Again, Cerryl helped Brental load the timbers into the mule cart. Brental tied them in place with two lengths of hemp as Hesduff and Dylert strolled out of the mill.
       “We'll be seeing how these work out, and I'll be back before long.” The crafter nodded to the millmaster.
       “And we'll be here, Hesduff.” Dylert smiled politely.
       “Sure you will be. A pleasure, Dylert. Always a pleasure.” Hesduff untied the mule and climbed onto the cart seat, then flicked the reins.
       As the cart creaked away and down the road, Brental slipped up beside Dylert and began to speak to his father in a low voice. Cerryl might have been able to hear them if he strained, but he just sat on the wall dumbly, fearing the worst. If only he'd had some coppers before he started at the mill... if only his feet hadn't grown so fast... He wanted to shake his head but didn't. What good would it have done?
       Once the mule cart left, Dylert walked over to Cerryl. He shook his head. “Cerryl?”
       “Yes, ser?”
       “Have I been cruel to you? Have I beat you? Or failed to feed you? Or clothe you?”
       Cerryl looked at the stones of the causeway. “No, ser. Never, ser.”
       “Boy ... you ask for little. I know that. But there's a time for brains and a time for pride. What if Brental hadn't seen? How long afore you'd never walk again?”
       “I'm sorry, ser. I did not think.”
       “No, you didn't. You've had a hard life, but I'd not make it harder. Don't you, either. Take care of your body, boy. Be the only one you have.” Dylert nodded at Brental. “You say those old boots of yours will fit?”
       “Be better if he didn't work in the mill for a day or two. Ought to go barefoot.”
       “Place be clean enough to do without for a day or two.” Dylert laughed. “Viental always be taking off.” He looked at Cerryl. “You can help Dyella round the house. No boots. Understand?”
       “Yes, ser.” Cerryl looked up. “Thank you, ser.” He swallowed. “Thank you.” He had to look down, afraid Dylert would see how close to tears he was.
       “That be all right, Cerryl. Just get those feet well.”
       “Yes, ser.”
       “Now ... up to the house and tell Dyella you'll be doing chores for her. Darkness knows, she could use the help with ail the wool coming in.” He snorted. “And Erhana could spend more time on her lessons. Always looking for a way out, that child.”
       “Yes, ser.” Cerryl nodded.
       “Put the boots in your cubby first,” said Brental. “You need to clean the old ones sometime. Might be someone else could use them later.”
       Cerryl nodded again, forcing his eyes up to meet Dylert's. “Thank you, ser.”
       “Off with you, boy.”
       Cerryl could tell that Dylert didn't feel as gruff as he sounded, but he answered politely, “Yes, ser.”
     
     

White Order
    IX
     
    The white mages, powerful in the paths of peace and wary of war, girded their robes and invoked the hopes of peace... but all were doomed.
       For Nylan, the dark angel, again lifted his hands, and he unbound the Accursed Forest of Naclos, and the forest rewarded him, and rendered back unto him the fires of Heaven and the rains of death. And Nylan laughed and cast those fires and rain across the west of Candar. And Ayrlyn sang songs that wrenched soul from soul and heart from body.
       The Mirror Lancers found their light lances turned upon them, and the very earth rose and