Blood Bride (Aarabassa World) by Catherine L Vickers Page A

creatures of Lightlands.’
    Leon knew of this ritual and felt deeply honoured. He would mix his blood with that of Phellips thus making him Phellip’s brother and therefore a member of the Cherok race. This was a rare rite for any outsider. Leon, at a loss for words, took Phellip’s hand and shook it hard.
    ‘What is this shaking my hand?’ Phellip laughed
    ‘Actually it can mean “hello”, so to speak, and it can mean that I give you my thanks. All I can think of is to shake your hand in gratitude for the honour that your people have shared with me.’
    ‘So be it Leon. We be united in brotherhood. Our people stand at your side when time comes’
    With these words, Phellip looked around as if searching for someone particular. He found his target and continued to speak. ‘This be good Centaur friend of mine. Wishes to be your guide when you go. She is female and has chosen you. This is grandest of honours. She may remain at your side until old age. These are the ways of Centaurs. She love your dog. This be strange friendship for Centaur. He has touched her heart.’
    The Princes shared a moment of laughter and joy. The Chief had left the table but his attention turned to the two Princes. He looked over to share their laughter and felt overwhelmed with pride at his eldest son and his new son to be. He would always have a place in his heart for the sons of his late friend Alfred.
    * * *
     
    Heimarl had finally found it. After slogging over hundreds of faded parchments and tightly rolled scrolls, for so many moonwakes that he and his wife Minnah had lost count, he now had his hand on the one manuscript that could provide him with the answers that he sought. He had read the words that he needed to know. He looked up and stared at the low-yellowed sand-rock ceiling. Stretching his arms above his head in a moment of thankful elation, he breathed a loud sigh of relief.
    His thoughts wandered as he yearned to share this news. 
    If only Alfred were here to share this with me. I miss you, old friend. Your guidance was once the answer to everything. I will need to make these decisions alone now. I can only hope that I choose well. Your sons’ lives are in my hands as are the lives of the creatures and people of the Lightlands. Guide me Alfred from wherever you are. Guide me well, my King.
    He looked down to double check the wordage he had just been reading only moments ago, but his eyes stared at a blank parchment. At first, he believed the words must simply be faded with time. Had he perhaps strained his eyes in his attempt to read for so long? His hands felt a sharp burning sensation and then he realised that the parchment was protected by a strong magic. It was seeking his identity before it would reveal its secrets. Clearly, it had accepted him once, when he had first come across this invaluable document, so why should it not acknowledge him again? Waiting patiently he looked upon the scroll and smiled as it slowly revealed to him, once again, the information written by the Ancient Mage. He could not bring himself to read the words out loudly as they slowly became visible. A force he could not comprehend encouraged him to ponder over the information in his mind only.
     
    There is but one element that can diminish the Barrier. Hear now, ye who read these secret words. Ask of yourself why you would wish the creatures of the Lightlands to be threatened with a death and destruction beyond all that the imagination could conceive? Consider the consequences of such a docile act. Those who remove the Wall with ‘he who sleeps’, they alone must ask of themselves why they do so?
     
    Heimarl sat in astonished surprise. He had speculated many a time at how the monshaad Emperor could possibly already know of this, but had failed to arrive at any coherent conclusion.  He was left in no doubt that Morte-Bielz had an uncanny insight as to the essence of the spell remover, and that this powerful information was propelling him