Malice

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

EVNIS

Evnis wept as the last stone was placed on Fain’s cairn.

The book had helped, for a while; the earth power restoring some of Fain’s strength for a time. Her smile had warmed him, kept the hatred at bay. But only for a while. Then her strength had failed, until she was only a shell of what she had been.

And now she was gone.

His son Vonn stood beside him, tall, keeping his grief within. Does he look to me for comfort, for guidance? Right now, I do not care. I have too much grief of my own.

A ring of his warriors stood about him, spears held high, with all from his hold, to sing the last lament. But even here his thoughts returned again and again to his book: just the merest hint that he had mastered so far was like a drug, calling, consuming. With an effort, he wrenched his will back to the cairn in front of him. To Fain. His hatred flared bright, and now there was another to add to his list.

King Brenin.

Vengeance, a voice whispered in his head.

I shall destroy him, he promised the voice.