Heather Killough Walden The Chosen Soul (pdf)

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and as she fought with the knowledge of what she had just done, who she so obviously
was, and what she was becoming.
When she finished drinking, she silently handed the goblet back to Manus. He took
it, refilled it and handed it to Loki. He drank, also in silence.
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Heather Killough-Walden
Finally, Minea spoke. It was fate that you two should be here this morning. We
have not had thieves at the spring for several years. It is not easy to find. However, you
stumbled upon it as if by accident. She turned to Raven. And, just now, you saved my
brother s life. I do not believe it to be a coincidence. You were obviously sent.
Manus nodded his agreement. Yes. And I thank you. We have grown overconfident
in our inactivity. If it were not for your intervention, one or both of us would be dead
right now, and the spring hopelessly depleted.
Loki turned his attention to the bodies on the ground. Empty flasks hung from their
belts in multitude. They were here to steal the water.
Indeed, though it would have done them no good. Minea shook her head.
Loki and Raven looked up. What do you mean? Raven asked.
Manus sighed. Once the water is taken out of the spring, its healing properties
diminish. It does not take long for them to be lost altogether. No more than a few hours,
at most.
And if too much is taken at once, it cannot be replenished, Minea continued. The
spring once held much more water. And much more power. Unfortunately, the foolhardy
have destroyed what it once was. Now its powers are limited, and I fear that even those
will one day be depleted altogether.
Raven looked back down at the bodies. What will we do with them?
The Sylph will take care of them. However, they will not show themselves to you.
And so, I am afraid, you must soon take your leave. Minea said.
Loki nodded. We need to be moving anyway. Thank you for allowing us to stay at
the spring. We needed the rest.
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The Chosen Soul
Thank you for the water, Raven said. I ve never had to be healed twice in a
twenty-four hour period before. I m indebted to you.
Manus smiled. You saved my life. We are even. And, by the way, you ve obviously
some impressive powers of your own. He paused, as if trying to decide how to phrase
his next question. Do you mind if I ask& Manus followed them to where their packs
lay on the soft grass. Raven glanced at her brother, who looked steadfastly at the ground
as he lifted his pack over one shoulder.
Raven considered her answer before she spoke. It s something I was born with. I m
only now learning to use it. She pulled her own pack over her shoulder and secured the
strap. Thank you again, she said as she faced the Naiads one last time.
You are welcome. Good luck in your travels. And, one more thing, the Naiad said
as the two turned to go. They paused and glanced back. I assume you are wishing to
travel to Kriver.
Loki and Raven glanced at each other and then nodded in unison.
Then, follow the trees with the yellow blossoms. Trust me. It is much faster.
At that, the two Naiads moved back to the water of their spring and stepped in.
Within a few seconds, their heads had disappeared beneath the surface.
Raven turned to her brother. The yellow blossoms, she said as they pushed through
the thicket around the spring and came out into the forest once again.
Right, he agreed, and they were on their way.
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Heather Killough-Walden
The Chosen Soul Chapter Six
The trees with the yellow blossoms seemed to follow no discernable pattern
whatsoever. The pair would turn at the sighting of one, head towards it and then look
around, searching for another for several minutes before finally spotting one in nearly the
same direction from which they had come.
Before long, Raven knew that Loki was frustrated and was wondering whether they
should have followed the naiad s instructions after all.
Loki, are you all right?
Her brother hadn t spoken to her since they d left the spring except to point out a
yellow-blossomed tree every now and again.
Loki looked down at the ground, apparently concentrating on his footing. He did not
answer and Raven s heart sank. Her display of icy power back at the spring had been
Loki s first to witness. Now he would know, as well as she did, who the stranger had
been that had given her her soul. He would know which of the Lords of Abaddon was her
father. Perhaps actually having such knowledge solidly evidenced before you was far
different and more difficult to cope with than simply imagining it.
She chewed her lip and fell into silence.
Finally, he spoke.
I think they ve led us astray.
Raven stopped in her tracks. It was several moments before Loki did the same. He
turned and peered at her.
Loki, we have to discuss this eventually. It may as well be now.
Loki looked around them. Discuss what? The damned yellow trees?
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The Chosen Soul
Raven crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze. Her brother watched
her for a moment and then sighed. He shrugged and ran a hand through his fine hair.
Fine. What do you want me to say, Raven? I know who your father is? What do you
want me to admit to you? That I know he s truly evil a devil, in fact one of the most
powerful in Abaddon? He realized that his voice had been rising, and he paused, took a
deep breath and turned away from her. He moved to a nearby tree and leaned against it,
his gaze once more on the ground. When he spoke again, his tone was still troubled, but
controlled.
Do you know his name, Raven?
Raven stared at him. She knew her father s name. She d known it since she d frozen
the bars in her cell. And she d been filled with dread, because upon the realization, she
had also recalled that he was the very devil that Haledon hated. She swallowed and
blinked, not wanting to answer him.
There were nine circles of Hell, or Abaddon. Each was guarded and ruled by a devil
overlord, an arch fiend of vast age, wealth and power. The Eighth Circle of Abaddon was
known as Caina, an everlasting realm of ice and death. Caina was as cold as Nisse, the
Ninth Circle, was hot. And its king was her father.
Her brother waited patiently.
Yes. I know his name. She would not speak it, however. It was not good to speak a
devil s name. There was much power in a name. I ve known since that night in the
guardhouse. I didn t take the keys from the guard as you d planned. He never came. She
fell silent for a moment and took a shaky breath. I had to freeze the bars to get out.
That s how I knew&
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Heather Killough-Walden
Loki watched her for a long quiet moment. And then, finally, he nodded in silence. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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