Chronicles of Den'dra - Spencer Johnson Page 0,161
had passed and there was only a dim glow left of the pinpricks of light. After hearing Igarlin’s explanation and knowing what to look for, Em’risi wasn’t surprised to see most of the energy flowed into the making of the iron arrow head. He quickly formed a half dozen before realizing that Alvin had left off his earlier activities and was watching his actions intently.
“Now that is useful. Let me try one of these.” Igarlin seemed relieved that Alvin wasn’t upset and unnecessarily slid out of the way. Alvin unslung the bow from over his shoulder and notched the arrow. It struck the center of the target and quivered a moment before dissolving. The rest behaved the same until there was only the original arrow sticking out of the target painted on the straw sack.
“It is too bad that you can’t make swords that way, but an arrow that remains in the wound is only a little better than one that dissolves after killing its mark. How long do these things last after you make them?” Igarlin gaped for a moment, seemingly in shock that Alvin would think to compliment him.
“I don’t know. At least a few minutes. I haven’t made any that I didn’t destroy sooner than that.”
“Well, make another of those arrows and… I think that I can rig up a water clock that will stop when the arrow dissolves.”
“If you get one with a large enough of a drum, you could prop a metal plate over the drip hole…”
“And if you prop it up with the arrow, the hole will be plugged when the arrow dissolves. That is a great idea.” Alvin moved off with a purpose in his step, leaving Igarlin and Em’risi wondering at the rare display of enthusiasm.
“Do you want me to form more arrows?”
“No, not exactly… You said that it takes much less energy to form wood?”
“Yes?”
“See that rack of wooden practice swords over there? Halden has been burning through them, literally. I bought the last of the ones available in the market this morning.” Em’risi flinched as Halden threw the charred stub remaining on the handle to the ground.
“I see what you mean. I should be able to make a couple dozen, but I don’t know how they will stand up with them beating them around like that.”
“Good point.” Em’risi spied Redzyn standing nervously at the door leading into the castle. “I will leave you to figure that out with them. I have some matters that need dealt with.” Igarlin started for the weapon rack as Em’risi rose and moved across the courtyard towards Redzyn.
“Princess.” Redzyn disapprovingly ran his eyes over the men practicing in the courtyard. His eyes stopped in disbelief as he saw Arkis practicing. The erin valker was firing arrows and attempting to catch them before they struck the target. He was able to attain the feat if he was more than twenty paces back. Any closer and he wasn’t yet able to accelerate at a rate enough to overcome the arrow. Even then, he was unable to move at that speed for more than a few steps before having to catch his breath.
“Impressive isn’t it.” Redzyn’s glower deepened before he replied.
“It is… as you say. Can we speak?”
“Of course. We can walk while we talk.” Redzyn seemed relieved when Em’risi moved toward the courtyard gates.
“Fine weather that we are having today.” Redzyn casually glanced up at the clear sky. Em’risi nodded in agreement before letting the awkward silence drag on for a few slow paces.
“You seem to have something to say to me?”
“If I may, be blunt that is, people have been talking.” Redzyn dropped back into the awkward silence.
“That wasn’t blunt so… why don’t you continue until you have aired what is bothering you.”
“How can you be so sure that I have something to say?”
“I don’t have to use my Gift to tell the truth. You are being cagy. But if you must know, it is the way yellow and red combine in that particular hue of orange. Please don’t attempt to spare my feelings.”
“I shouldn’t have presumed.”
“Colonel Redzyn, you have piqued my interest, continue.” It was an order despite the way she tossed her auburn hair.
“People have been talking about you.”
“You said that once before. Please, what have they been saying?”
“There are rumors that speak to your activities in the Sea Fort.” On seeing Em’risi’s querying glance, he continued. “The people are saying that you are Gifted. I have been trying to keep the rumors from