The Lore Of The Evermen (Book 4) Read Online Free

white to Ella’s gold. She wore it in a thick braid she occasionally tossed when irritated. Ada now tugged on her braid, her expression thoughtful rather than fierce.
    Ella had invited Ada to this meeting in the Alturan market house in Seranthia. She’d had conversations like this with lords and templars, Tingaran melders, and Torak builders. This was now Ella’s chance to convince the Akari about Altura’s strategy for dealing with the coming storm.
    The device Ella called a reflector was made of quartz, and Ella had drawn the runes herself, using a lens to aid her vision. Ada passed it to the three other Akari seated around the broad table as Ella shivered; it was late winter in Seranthia, and the heating system in the cavernous market house struggled to fight the chill. For once the Akari didn’t look out of place in their heavy furs.
    “We’re building them to connect all the capitals and we’re even connecting Stonewater. Our enchanters mount them on towers , and as long as the next reflector in the chain is in sight of the previous one, the light carries from one to the next.”
    “So there will be a tower with one of these at its summit in Ku Kar a?”
    “Unfortunately, in your case, no,” Ella said, “much as I might like it to be otherwise. As far north as Ku Kara is, we’re only able to extend the chain to Lake Vor. We simply don’t have the resources to continue farther into the icy north.”
    “So you need us to keep watch on the tower at Lake Vor?” Ada said, glancing up to meet Ella’s eyes.
    “Exactly. If a reflector is activated in Seranthia, for example, it will shine purple. If the Petryans in Tlaxor were to activate theirs, it would shine red, the color of Petrya, to show they require assistance . The colors will spark along the chain until every device is lit up with that color, and everyone knows that a house is requesting help. It’s a simple system, but we hope it will be effective . We’re asking all the houses to pledge their assistance and to come if one of us calls.”
    “I understand,” Ada said. “I’ll explain the system to the Dain. How many of these towers have you built so far?”
    “We’ve traveled to Seranthia by ship, but after the Chorum we’ll be heading back home over land. Our enchanters will build them as we go, although the station at Lake Vor will necessarily be one of the last constructed.”
    “Excuse me, Enchantress. Two messages for you.”
    Turning, Ella saw a courier in Alturan green standing just inside the doorway. She didn’t recognize him, but that wasn’t surprising; there were so many new faces in the market house these days.
    Ada stood as Ella took the two notes the courier handed her. “I see you have work to do,” Ada said. “I also have other business to take care of. Thank you for the demonstration. I’m sure my father will agree to help.”
    Ella rose and touched her fingers to her heart, lips, and forehead as Ada and her retinue gave a short bow and departed.
    Ella opened the first of the folded notes and frowned.
    It was from Ilathor, kalif of House Hazara, written with the flowery prose the desert men favored. Ilathor greeted Ella and asked her about her well-being. He said he wanted to see her at her earliest convenience.
    Ella thought about the time she’d spent in Petrya with Ilathor after she’d helped the desert prince conquer Tlaxor, the Petryan capital, a city guarded by a volcanic lake. Lord of the Sky, it felt like eons had passed since. She set the note aside and opened the second message.
    There was just one written word. Tonight.
    Ella smiled and felt a flush of pleasure. It was already growing dark, and she wouldn’t have long to wait. Ella glanced around to make sure she was alone before exiting the meeting chamber and heading deeper into the Alturan market house. She passed through the great hall, weaving through the merchants and soldiers she encountered on the way to the stairs. She checked over her shoulder to