The little hairs on the back of her neck rose.
“Ah,” Ritathan said calmly.“You sensed the portal.”
Halithe choked, then coughed, giving him a side glance.
The smaller of the vore growled, and showed its fangs.The bigger one’s ear flicked back and down, then up.
A woman, in armor, moved her horse forward, between the vore.“You are not welcome here,” she said, but she was staring at the larger of the vore.
“Yes, well, I understood that much, Interpreter.”Ritathan was also looking at the vore.“I am Ritathan, Guild Mage of Edenrich, chained through contract to the Airion Blood of Xy.This is my apprentice, Halithe, also of Edenrich.We seek shelter in Athelbryght.”
“We remember you,” the human woman said.Her tone was not warm.“Do not think to cozen us, mage.Word has reached our ears of the loss of the Airions and the rise of the Wyverns to the Throne.”
“There will be no deceit on my part.”Ritathan said.“I seek only to speak to the Chosen of Athelbryght.”
The vore stared at Ritathan.The humans remained silent, staring at the vore.
Curious.Were the vore the ones talking?Halithe wondered.She reached out without thinking—
The worldshifted.
The flare of light that surrounded the vore made Halithe cry out; her senses were swamped with light and heat, the stink of horse and the roar of the winds.She slammed her eyes shut, trying to cut off the glare.Dizzy, disoriented, she slumped in the saddle and felt herself sliding, unable to catch herself.
“Halithe,” Ritathan cried out in alarm, but as if from a distance.
There was a scrabble of claws on packed earth.Halithe fell onto a hard lump of fur and bone, and then went sprawling on the road.One of the vore, cushioning her fall.
Hands caught at her then, trying to lift her.She promptly vomited as her stomach rebelled against movement.
There were strange voices all around and growls more worried than fierce, but how did she know that?The hands kept her on her side as she heaved, then eased her down, supporting her head.
She opened her eyes, staring up at the people around her, their heads dark outlines against the terrible glare.Above them, in the clear blue sky, a golden-red, silken, bond-cord stretched, high and thin and unwavering.
“Let me through,” Ritathan’s voice echoed in her ears.She tried to lift her hand, trying to draw his attention to the bond-cord, but his cool fingers encircled her wrist and her bracelet andsqueezed.
The worldshiftedback.
“No insult was intended,” Ritathan was speaking rapidly.“Apprentices sometimes struggle with control of new-found abilities.”
Halithe lay still, gathering her wits.Around them voices rose, including an odd combination of barks and growls that were not being translated.She started to sit up, but Ritathan’s hand on her shoulder pressed her down.She glanced up and he gave a quick shake of his head.
So she stayed sprawled on the road, surrounded by legs both two and four.
Clearly, the vore were upset.It was her fault, she’d spoiled it all.Halithe’s heart sank.She felt weak and helpless and so very stupid.Tears started.So much for the beginning of her great adventure.
The larger vore suddenly sniffed and swung its head to stare at her.Halithe dropped her eyes, mopping at them with her sleeve.
The vore barked and the legs all moved.One of the humans approached, holding a waterskin and cup.“Water,” he said, and offered it to her.
Ritathan helped her to sit up, and she drank.It was warm but wet and it helped clear her head.“Thank you,” she coughed.
“A bit too much in one day, I think.”Ritathan still knelt beside her and brushed her hair from her face.
“The mage sense,” Halithe whispered, then coughed at her scratchy throat.“I can’t control it.”
“Not unusual.I’ve blocked it for now.Can you stand?”Ritathan asked.She nodded.Once she was on her feet, he checked her over, brushing off the road dust.
She didn’t dare look anyone in the eye, feeling awkward and foolish.Her legs trembled and she was so tired she couldn’t even lift her arms.
