Page 13 of Shroud of Eternity (Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles 2)

“Give me a slice of the rarest part,” grumbled Ivan from his seat.

Beside him, the wizard Andre explained, “Yaxen are specifically bred to yield the most delicious flesh. We have been meticulous with our breeding over fifteen hundred years of confinement, hmmm? Each morsel will melt in your mouth.” He raised his plate to accept a portion from the roast.

Not particularly interested in the food, Nicci said in a businesslike voice, “We’ve come from D’Hara, where Lord Richard Rahl defeated the resurrected Sulachan, and before that, Jagang and the Imperial Order. After Lord Rahl’s victory, we come to the Old World to describe his new peace and to ensure that there are no further tyrants.”

Nathan dabbed a napkin at his lips as he raised his voice. “We’ve come for personal reasons as well. We believe a witch woman guided us here.” He pulled his life book from the leather pouch he always carried at his side. “This is what set us on our course,” he said, and read aloud the words that were written there.

“Future and Fate depend on both the journey and the destination.

Kol Adair lies far to the south in the Old World. From there, the Wizard will behold what he needs to make himself whole again. And the Sorceress must save the world.”

He smiled at them. “We saw your city from the mountain pass exactly as these words predicted, so we think someone here may be able to help make me whole again.”

Andre looked him up and down. “And what part are you missing right now, hmmm?”

Nathan fidgeted with sudden uncertainty when it came time to actually explain his weakness, his failing. He coughed briefly into his hand. “I recently lost my gift of prophecy—which was not a terrible thing, if you ask me. But something else also changed inside of me. I seem to have a little problem.” He swallowed, then covered it with a nervous smile. “Back in D’Hara, I was a great wizard and a prophet, but when prophecy was banished beyond the veil to the underworld, that gift was somehow interconnected with my gift of magic. It has … unraveled, and I am unable to use magic. When I did attempt to cast a spell, the consequences were…” He fluttered his hands. “Let’s just say, they were remarkable and unpredictable.”

Maxim waved a hand. “None of us has been concerned with prophecy for centuries. Being cut off from the flow of time by the shroud, we are not bothered by predictions and portents. We have had no prophets since the great war … and we have not missed them.”

The dark-skinned wizard Quentin picked up a raisin-studded roll, inspected it, then spoke to Nathan as he reached for the butter. “That makes no sense. The gift is intrinsic to a person.” He had a cloud of gray hair like smoke that clung to his head.

“He hasn’t just lost his gift of prophecy.” Thora gave a sidelong frown to her husband. “He’s lost his gift entirely. How is that possible?”

“I don’t know,” Nathan said. “That’s why we’ve come here, following the witch woman’s clues. Someone in Ildakar must have the answer.” He looked around the banquet hall. “Someone? Anyone?”

“That’s quite worrisome,” said Renn, smacking his lips and dabbing juice from his mouth, but a drip fell on his maroon robes. He was a portly man with more than his share of chins. “We all have the gift, every one of us.” He blinked with sudden anxiety. “And if you could lose your abilities, Wizard Nathan, then perhaps we could, too. What if it’s contagious? Like a fever?”

Nicci looked around the table. “I have traveled with him for some time, and my gift remains unaffected.”

Andre sat up, his brow furrowing deeply. “This bears further investigation. Wizard Nathan will be an interesting subject.”

“We should call him the former Wizard Nathan,” Thora said. “In Ildakar, those who possess the gift receive certain privileges. If this wizard is impotent, then we shall have to withhold judgment.”

Andre leaned over the table, studying Nathan like an unusual specimen. “I have many analytical spells, hmmm? We’ll have to run tests, sample your blood.”

Elsa explained to Nathan, “Andre is the greatest fleshmancer in Ildakar. His prowess is legendary.”

Andre took a bite of the juicy meat, speaking as he chewed. “Centuries ago, I helped create the yaxen, for example. It is because of my work that they are so delicious.”

Bannon looked up, curious. “What’s a fleshmancer?”

Andre stroked the thick braid of beard protruding from his chin. “I am one who can manipulate and change living things.”

Ivan added, “He’s developed many interesting creations over the years. We use them in the arena.”

With a chill, Nathan thought of the horrific combat bear that had attacked them in the hills. Any man who could create such a thing …

Thora spoke up. “Wizard Renn’s concerns are legitimate. If a gifted person can lose magic, we need to know why. Is our own magic at risk? We need to solve the problem.” She nodded to the fleshmancer. “You have our blessing, Andre … and you have your orders. Study this man.”

The fleshmancer’s gray eyes sparkled. “I would have done it anyway.” He quickly looked at Nicci. “But you still have your powers, Sorceress? Unaffected, as you claim?”

Maxim leaned closer to her and added, “You exude beauty, but I don’t believe that is caused by magic.”

“This is who I am,” Nicci said. “And yes, my gift is still strong within me.”

“How wonderful,” Maxim said. “The class system in Ildakar is dependent upon a person’s gift. Those of us from the noble ruling class have the most powerful gift, as is natural. The merchants and craftsmen have at least some hint of the gift, but few powers. And those unfortunates who possess no known abilities serve us as slaves. There’s not much else the poor things can do.”

“I … I don’t h

ave any ability with the gift,” Bannon said.

“You’re our guest,” Amos interjected, seeming to notice Bannon for the first time during the meal. “Don’t worry about it.”

Beside him, Brock added, “If you can use that sword, you’ve got a different sort of skill.”

Bannon blushed. “I can use it.”

Nicci showed little appetite for her food. “We can’t deny that your city is impressive in many ways. Perhaps Ildakar could become a southern capital of the D’Haran Empire.”

Nathan said, “Lord Rahl has been consolidating the war-torn lands, giving the people freedom and new hope to live their lives as they choose. With the D’Haran army and Lord Rahl’s wise rule, we could help you a great deal.”

Maxim twirled his spoon in a crusted pudding and pulled out a mouthful, which he tasted. “We know nothing about your D’Haran Empire.”

“Empires rise and fall with a sad monotony,” Thora said. “We’ve had enough of emperors. We want nothing like that here in our free city of Ildakar.”

Nicci gave them a skeptical look. “Free city? You two seem like emperors yourselves.”

“Nothing of the sort,” said Maxim, too quickly.

Ivan grumbled, “A little late for that. We might have benefited from an alliance many centuries ago, but we’ve solved our own problem.”

“Chief Handler Ivan speaks the truth,” Maxim added. “We could have welcomed your Lord Rahl’s help when our city was first besieged by General Utros, but we took care of him with our own magic.” He looked across the long table at Nicci. “And you are supposed to save the world, Sorceress? I applaud such a goal! But we’ve already saved ourselves. Ildakar is fine now.”

“Ildakar is our perfect society,” Thora said again.

Nicci interjected soberly, “That may be so, but I have never found a perfect society that didn’t need saving.”

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