Blood of the Earth Read Online Free Page A

that cage,” Isabel said.
    “Not enough to get the job done, either,” Alexander said. “We killed the other two.”
    The wraithkin shrugged. “We took several of those who serve you. One by one we will take everyone you care for. You will know the pain of loss so completely that when we come for you, you will welcome the touch of our blades.”
    “Doubtful,” Alexander said. “I am curious about those daggers of yours, though.”
    The wraithkin smiled knowingly as he looked at the bandage on Alexander’s arm. “Your wound will heal slowly and magic will do nothing to speed the process. Does it hurt?”
    Alexander snorted and shook his head. His worry for Jataan increased. With magic to aid in healing, he would be back on his feet in a week, but without it, he might never recover.
    “I’ll ask my question again,” Alexander said. “How many of your kind are on Ruatha?”
    The wraithkin drew himself up and smiled at Alexander silently.
    “Maybe I can persuade him,” Isabel said. She opened her connection to the realm of light and let the Maker’s light pour into her, then began casting a spell. Pure white light arced forth from her hand and hit the wraithkin in the chest. He shrieked with such horror and agony that Alexander felt a little thrill of fear race through him from the sound of it alone. He hadn’t heard anything like it since he’d faced the revenants on Grafton Island.
    The wraithkin collapsed to the ground and writhed around in abject torment for several minutes before he regained enough of his senses to stand up. He looked slightly afraid when he faced them again.
    “How many?” Alexander said.
    The wraithkin started trembling but said nothing.
    Isabel smiled humorlessly. “I can cast that spell again and again. And I have to tell you I really wouldn’t mind spending the rest of the night torturing you. You killed several good people today, some were my friends. Answer the question.”
    He held his tongue until Isabel started whispering the words of her Maker’s light spell again.
    “Nine,” the wraithkin said. “Master sent nine of us aboard the fleet from Andalia. I don’t know how many made it to shore after our ships were sunk. I found the other two and we came here to find you.”
    His colors, although tainted by the darkness within, revealed that he was telling the truth.

 
    Chapter 3
     
    They retired to a command tent to discuss what they’d learned.
    “At least we know what Phane’s been up to,” Alexander said. He was tired of being on the defensive. Since Phane had awoken, Alexander felt like he’d been back on his heels trying desperately to stay one step ahead of an untimely death. He wanted to find a way to strike back.
    “Indeed,” Mage Gamaliel said. “These wraithkin are a significant threat. Loose in an encampment or a city, they could kill countless people before they could be brought down. Fortunately, they’re vulnerable when struck in the head. We should send word of this weakness to all of our forces.”
    Alexander nodded. “I’ll have the Rangers send riders north to the main army and south to General Talia and Kevin. When you get a chance, I’d like you to take a look at the daggers they carried, see if there’s any way to magically heal a wound caused by one.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m worried about Jataan. He was hurt pretty badly. Without magic, it will take him months to heal.”
    “I’ve collected the blades and will study them briefly this evening but I suspect I’ll need the equipment in my workshop to make a full assessment.” Mage Gamaliel shook his head. “I’ve never heard of such an enchantment. If I’m able to determine how they function, I may be able to construct a counter to the magical taint they leave in a wound.”
    “If we assume the worst case, there are still six wraithkin wandering around Ruatha,” Isabel said. “Maybe we should consider sending out teams of hunters to find