Wizards Conclave

"All right," Coryn agreed, eyeing the narrow trail dubiously. They hadn't seen a single person since the i

She took the bridle of the lead mule and started down the path, which was more of a dry ravine than any kind of hewn trail. Still, the animals followed with surefooted ease, and they rapidly descended between the lofty, moss-draped trunks into an area of soft undergrowth. Sure enough, the little run debouched into a tiny meadow carpeted with small, white flowers. Nearby was a placid stretch of water. With the first sweep of her eyes, Cory spotted a least a dozen fat trout, and her stomach was already rumbling as she unhitched the mules and started to spread out their small camp.

With practiced ease, Cory removed the saddlebags and tack from the mules and tethered the animals near the stream, where they had ready access to a nice patch of clover-heavy grass as well as fresh water. Next she pulled the cooking gear and bedrolls from Diva's saddlebags. Dolly's load contained their dried provisions and extra clothing. Dora's bags, containing Je

Je

"This is a good place to camp," Coryn offered with a smile. "Really hidden down here. Did you remember it from an earlier visit?"

"Long ago I spent a pleasant couple of days down here," Je

Abruptly, the older woman paused, her lips creasing. "Come to think of it, I was a little older than you are."

Cory would have liked to hear the rest of the story, but she had learned to take Je

This time she went and gathered firewood without being asked. In only a few minutes she had collected a plentiful supply of dry, hard wood. Je

"You mentioned you came here after you were in a tower. My grandmother used to talk about a tower, too-is that where you know each other from?"

Je

Cherishing this tidbit of information, Coryn quickly built a cheery fire. The sky, viewed through the halo of surrounding tree tops, was still pale blue with late afternoon sunlight, and she looked toward the deep pool where the brook eddied near their camp. "How about fresh fish tonight?" she asked. "I could probably catch us a pair of nice trout before it gets dark."

"Good," Je

Coryn went to the portion of Diva's saddlebags that had been given over to her few possessions. She took out her bow and strung the weapon. With one arrow in her other hand she went over to the bank of the stream. The trout were as thick as before, meandering through the clear water. The pool was only three or four feet deep, with a silted bottom, perfect for bow-fishing. Every few seconds the surface roiled as one of the fish struck at a careless fly or waterbug.

The girl studied the fish, picking out three of the largest.

Slowly she drew back her bowstring, holding it close to her ear. Tension thrummed in the taut strand, in the bend of the sturdy bow, in the quivering of the carefully aimed missile. Her eyes flicked back and forth, watching the fish meander, waiting until their paths drifted close together.

Coryn drew a breath in through her nose. She relaxed and felt the wild sorcery tingling in the soles of her feet, pulsing in the air around her. That power was reflected in the silky patterns on the surface of the water, in the dappled scales on the sides of the three trout.

It was time. She let the arrow fly as she exhaled, and with her will she drew the power of magic from her surroundings and cha

The trio of missiles penetrated the water with barely audible splashes, and each drove through the body of a fat target. The fish thrashed and leaped momentarily, but the shots were true and, moments later, each floated lifelessly to the surface, pi

"What did you think you were doing?" asked the older woman, no sense of amusement, or even tolerance, in her voice.

"Getting di

"I am referring to how you got those fish! That was corruption-you sucked the energy out of the very air! How dare you?"

"Dare I?" The girl was irritated by the stupid question. "I have been fishing like that since I first learned to use a bow. What harm did I do?"

"Harm?" Je

The girl bit back her growing temper. "Umma taught me a lot, nearly everything that I know!" she retorted. In the face of Je

"You wouldn't understand," Je

"Of course not! You won't tell me anything! How am I supposed to understand anything?"

"Now is not the time. Throw those fish away-I will not eat them, and neither will you. We have plenty of flatbread and dried fruit for di

Coryn stared at the older woman. Je

Still reluctant, the girl went back to the stream, and dropped her catches into the flow. Swiftly the three dead trout were carried out of sight.

They ate their bread and fruit in silence, Cory stealing sidelong glances at the woman in the red robe. Je

The tension lingered as she lay on the hard ground, staring at the small patch of stars visible through the ring of trees. She turned to look at Je