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129 lines
6.2 KiB
HTML
129 lines
6.2 KiB
HTML
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<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<head>
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<title>The Shadowmaster - Chapter 29</title>
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<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="imperaWeb.css"/>
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<link rel="stylesheet" type=
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"application/vnd.adobe-page-template+xml" href=
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<div id="text">
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<div class="section" id="xhtmldocuments">
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<h1>29</h1>
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<p>
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"What do you mean <em>your </em>sword?" Kerry had another rock in the sling, ready to launch.
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</p>
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<p>
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"It's <em>my</em> sword," Jack asserted. The mysterious shock of power still tingled up and down his arm. The warrior was tall and broad-shouldered, arms
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taut with muscle, and scarred from many a fight. There was something strangely familiar about him.
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</p>
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<p>
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The man's blue eyes held him fast.
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</p>
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<p>
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"You stole it, lad. How you did it and how you came to be in this place, I don't know. But I'll have it back now."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Yeah, right," Kerry sneered. "It's four to one, and we've beaten worse than you. Many a time."
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</p>
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<p>
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"I must be dreaming this," the big man said. "Illusions, it has to be."
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</p>
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<p>
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His free hand went to his forehead and he swayed a little. "You're imps. Changelings."
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</p>
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<p>
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"We're not," Jack countered. Corriwen had moved to the side in a flanking motion. Kerry's sword was at the ready. "We're real. But I'm not sure <em>you </em>are."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Your speech is familiar. Where are you from and how did you get here?"
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</p>
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<p>
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"We're from very far away," Kerry butted in. "And we're on a mission. So just let us pass and we'll be on our way."
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</p>
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<p>
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The man's eyes flicked from Kerry to Corriwen and back to Jack.
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</p>
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<p>
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"That <em>is</em> my sword. There's only one other like it."
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</p>
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<p>
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"We know that," Corriwen said. "The other one's mine."
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</p>
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<p>
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The man kept staring, measuring Jack with his eyes. Then he saw the amberhorn bow slung on Jack's shoulder.
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</p>
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<p>
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"And where did you get that bow? It's not the work of anyone in Uaine."
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</p>
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<p>
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He looked at Rionna. "And you, girl. I've seen that staff before. It belongs to a friend of mine. How did you come by it?"
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</p>
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<p>
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Jack held a hand up, playing for time. Sudden, unexpected emotions were churning inside him. "Hold on. One minute ago you were a statue and now <em>you're</em> asking all the questions."
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</p>
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<p>
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The man froze. His blue eyes were fixed below Jack's chin. The spear-point was suddenly at Jack's throat where his tunic opened. Jack hadn't even seen it
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move.
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</p>
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<p>
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The man's face was slack with shock or surprise. He looked as if he'd been kicked,
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</p>
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<p>
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"The stone. On the chain. How did you come by it?"
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</p>
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<p>
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He jabbed the spear and Jack could feel the sharp point digging into his skin.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Just who are you? <em>What</em> are you?"
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</p>
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<p>
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"My name is Jack Flint."
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</p>
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<p>
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"And he's the Journeyman," Kerry added. "Appointed by the Sky Queen to fight her battles, so just you watch out."
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</p>
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<p>
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The spear dropped to the ground. The man let out a groan and sank to his knees as if all the strength had drained from him. Now his face was a picture of
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anguish.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Jack….<em>Jack…</em>"
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</p>
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<p>
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Tears sprung to his blue eyes and spilled freely spilled down the man's cheeks. In that moment Jack <em>knew. </em>His heart felt as if it was about to
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burst.
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</p>
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<p>
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"Oh…oh my…how many <em>years?</em>"
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</p>
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<p>
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"He's fifteen," Kerry piped up. "Same as me."
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</p>
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<p>
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"Fifteen years…Jack…" The man's voice choked. "You don't know me. <em>Couldn't</em> know me."
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</p>
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<p>
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Corriwen and Kerry gaped in astonishment as realisation dawned on them. Their eyes turned to Jack and they saw his eyes sparkle, his expression rapt.
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</p>
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<p>
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"I think I do," Jack whispered.
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</p>
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<p>
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"I am Jonathan Cullian Flint. I put that heartstone around your neck and carried you through the Homeward Gate to safety. It seems only like yesterday."
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</p>
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<p>
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He closed his eyes. "Fifteen years! Fifteen <em>lost </em>years."
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</p>
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<p>
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Jack's tears streamed down his own cheeks. Jonathan Cullian Flint reached out to him and Jack walked into his father's tight embrace.
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</p>
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</div>
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</div>
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</body>
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</html>
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