Paul Collins - Swords Of Quentaris

It was the more internal matters that completely stumped her. 'So that ridiculous bracelet you always wear was some kind of ... beacon, that worked with the map to offer you ... knowledge?

And you entered this ... this map's image, even though you saw it kill Vindon?'

'I didn't say it killed Vindon,' Rad cut in. 'I don't understand how, but I suspect he's back in Quentaris somewhere. Probably out of his mind with fear, but somewhere safe at least.'

'Right ...' said Tulcia doubtfully. 'But at the time you thought it had killed Vindon — and yet

you still walked into the image?'

'Faith and courage,' Rad said. 'I needed faith that the map could absorb me — or me it — and that I could handle the map's power. I needed courage to step into the map, after seeing Vindon disappear within it. I might never have stepped forward if it hadn't been for Vindon.' He fondly stroked Nathine's weathered bracelet. 'It was written that a descendant of Nathine would become a great guide. Yes!' Rad punched the air.

Tulcia shook her head. 'But you're still the Rad de La'rel I went up there with?'

'I am,' Rad said. 'But now I have Nathine's knowledge of the rift caves — which was mine by birthright. It makes everything I have ever learnt seem like ... like I've been a babe all my life, Tulcia!' He tapped his head which still rang from all the information it had absorbed. It's suddenly all up here—just like when I'm running along the rooftops or alleyways. And with this new knowledge I intend to continue my ancestor's work.'

'So you're going to become a guide after all,'

Tulcia said. Her shoulders slumped. 'I'll never

see you, will I? We're all babes now, to your mind.'

Rad beamed a mischievous grin. 'You're an idiot... oh Tulcia!' He flung his arms around her shoulders and hugged her fiercely. 'I'll need a booking agent — someone to line up all my adventuring customers who will flock to Quentaris and seek my services.'

Tulcia's spirits rose. She disentangled herself, though she still clutched Rad's shoulders for support. 'Yes, you will, won't you?'

Rad nodded vigorously and they hugged one more time.

They walked the rest of the way to Quentaris in silence, Rad with the knowledge that the famous Nathine had been initiated into the Hamils'

scheme of things in much the same way as he had been; Tulcia wondering how they were going to explain the disappearance of the three thieves.

Whatever lay ahead, neither of their lives would ever be the same again.

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Document Outline

Cover

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Contents

Map 1

Map 2

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

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Seven

Eight

Nine

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