Page 104 of The Study of Fire
“I’m not smart enough,” she said in frustration. “I don’t know enough about magic! I don’t think anyone does. We’re all just bumbling along, using it and abusing it.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
“Yes. Although, I’ll admit to being a hypocrite. First sign of trouble and I fall back on using magic. When I think about magic, all I see is the harm it has done to this world.”
She sounded just like the Commander.
“Then you’re not looking in the right places.” Valek studied her dubious expression. “Think about what you said to the Commander about magic.”
“I tend to agree with the Commander about how magic corrupts.”
“Then why did you mention to the Commander how magic could harness the power of a blizzard and save his people instead of discussing the possibility of using power as a weapon? If magic corrupts, then why hasn’t it corrupted you? Or Irys? Moon Man? Leif?”
“We haven’t let it corrupt us.”
“Right! You have the choice.”
“But it’s a very tempting choice. Power is addictive. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Oh yes. Sitia has been battling warpers for ages. Though you wouldn’t know it from all the peace and prosperity hanging around.” Valek’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Let’s see, how long ago did the magicians use blood magic? I think Moon Man told me two thousand years. Then you’re right! It’s only a matter of time. A matter of two thousand years. I’ll take those odds any day.”
“I never realized how annoying you can be.”
“You know I’m right.”
“I could prove you wrong. I can be corrupt.” She leered at him.
Desire shot through him. Valek glanced at Janco and the others. They milled around a small fire, trying to appear nonchalant as they listened to every word.
“Not in front of the children, love. But I’ll hold you to that.”
Yelena and Valek joined them. Tauno wasn’t the only one missing. “Where’s Moon Man?”
“He was captured by the Daviians yesterday afternoon,” Leif said. “After finding no information about a tunnel into the Keep, we met with an old magician in hiding. He only had vague details, but he taught me how to create a null shield.” He shook his head in disgust. “And since I’m a genius, I practiced. The magic called the warpers, and we were attacked as soon as we left his house.”
“How did you get away?” Valek asked.
“An unruly mob arrived. In the mass confusion, a guy pulled me free from the riot. I hid, but Moon Man wasn’t so lucky.”
Valek glanced at Yelena.
Sadness lined her eyes. “I hope he’s still alive.”
“That’s why we’re camping with this caravan,” Ari said. “If they interrogate Moon Man, they might learn about the inn.”
“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” he asked.
“We’re going to storm the Keep,” Yelena said.
“Funny.”
“Oh, she’sdeadserious,” Leif said. “We’re going to hide in those coffins?—”
“Crates,” Ari corrected.
“Says the man who gets to drive the wagon. Janco and Marrok will be on horseback—part of the caravan. Once inside the Citadel, Ari will drive the wagon to the Keep, which, by the way, is surrounded by a protective magical barrier. Oh, and you’re gonnalovethis,” Leif said, parroting Janco. “At the Keep, he will inform the Daviians that he has captured the powerful Soulfinder and would like the bounty of five gold coins. Thank you very much.”
“And that’s when the citizens will riot, creating a distraction,” Janco said.
