Wards of Faerie: The Dark Legacy of Shannara by Terry Brooks Read Free Book Online Page A

this was the only way to keep power among the Races in balance.
    But she also knew that advancements in the development of new science were threatening that balance. And the Druids were poorly equipped to do anything to change that.
    “I will give it some thought,” she told him, “but I can’t promise anything more. I have to think on it. I respect what you are saying, Ellich. I just don’t know if there is a way to bring about what you would like to see happen.”
    He smiled. “Nor do I. But if you are willing to try, if you will trustme enough to talk to me about it when there is need, I think we might find that way. Come, now. Enough talk. Let’s walk back and see if Jera might have something sweet prepared to complete our dinner.”
    No more was said that evening about their discussion. Conversation returned to something more or less approaching normal, and when Aphenglow departed for home and bed it was with a sense of renewed warmth toward her uncle and aunt. She was not done thinking about what she had been asked to do or even close to any sort of decision, but she cared enough for her uncle that she would give his suggestion careful consideration. There was no question in her mind that she would rather take him into her confidence than anyone else at Arborlon.
    Except perhaps for her mother, but confiding in her mother was no longer possible.
    Ellich offered to accompany her home, but she dismissed the idea out of hand. She was a Druid trained in the use of magic; she needed no other protection. She walked with her backpack slung over one shoulder, inhaling the cool night air, enjoying the sweep of the starlit sky and thinking of Afrengill, wishing things could be different between them, knowing they might never be. How could they? Her mother didn’t speak to her anymore. They had been close once, but Aphenglow’s decision to become a Druid had brought an end to that.
    Her father had died years earlier in a hunting accident, when Arlingfant was still very little, so Aphen and her mother had become the foundation and heart of the family unit. When she had decided to leave for Paranor, her mother had begged her not to go. She had insisted she could not manage on her own. Arlingfant was ten by then and old enough to give what help was needed, but it made no difference to their mother. Afrengill was no longer being rational, would not even try to be so, and they had parted ways screaming at each other while Arlingfant hid in her bedroom and cried.
    On her first visit back, Aphenglow had gone to see her mother, intent on patching things up. She had walked up to the door and knocked. Afrengill had opened the door, stared at her wordlessly as she attempted to say how sorry she was, and closed the door againwithout a word. Arlingfant had been forced to sneak away to come see her, forbidden by their mother to have anything to do with her sister.
    Each time on her return, Aphenglow went to her home and knocked on the door. By now, her mother rarely bothered to answer. Arlingfant said she wouldn’t even allow Aphenglow’s name to be spoken. Her daughter was dead to her, she declared. She was dead to all of them.
    It hurt so much that even thinking of it brought a quick sob that caused her to catch her breath. Her mother, whom she loved, would have nothing to do with her, and even though Arlingfant insisted she would come around in time, Aphenglow was no longer sure.
    In light of this, her uncle’s plea that she consider departing the Druid order to return to Arborlon had merit. Everything that was wrong with her life, that made her unhappy, could be traced to her decision to join the order. Was it time for her to leave? Was she not seeing things as clearly as she thought? She loved her work, her Druid companions, and the cause for which she labored so hard.
    But maybe that wasn’t enough.
    Maybe …
    She was aware of the possibility of danger after the other night’s attack, her senses alert and her wards spread