Read Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) for Free Online Page A

come?”
    “Interesting question. The bonding had only just taken place, so the pain may not have been very great. There haven’t been any studies done on that, actually. Usually bondings last many, many years.”
    Bronwyn decided to drop the topic for the time being, having no desire to make the same mistake Milly had. By late afternoon , her aunt had not slowed the pace and although she hated to admit it, she was exhausted. Bronwyn's legs were aching and she had developed a sore twinge in her left buttock. "Aunt, when are we going to stop? Aren't you tired?" She was surprised at the pace Avruellen had set and was even more surprised that her old aunt could outlast her.
    "Soon dear. Just a short way to go." Avruellen answered with a self-satisfied smile, not slowing the pace one bit. Bronwyn pulled a face at her aunt's back but forced her legs to keep moving.
    Finally, as it was becoming too dark to see properly, they moved off the track to another spot Flux had chosen. Even though Bronwyn was desperate to sit down, she decided to collect the firewood first. She feared that once she sat down, she may never get up again. Bronwyn dropped her pack and stepped toward the nearby trees. "Stay here, Bronny. I'll get the wood tonight. You sit and rest."
    "It's OK , Aunt. I'll be back in a minute."
    "I said sit! I feel fine , and you look dreadfully tired. Young people don't have the stamina of us oldies." Bronwyn ignored her aunt’s cheekiness, and, as she didn't have the strength to argue, chose a soft, grassy spot, dropping to the ground with a thud. How could her aunt not be tired? It seemed impossible. Maybe she had used some kind of magic.
    Bronwyn closed her eyes and within a very short time was drifting off to sleep. Her foray into dreamland was cut short by her aunt's raised voice approaching the clearing. "I’ve been aware of you since we started. Why have you been following us? Answer me!"
    Who could have been following them? Bronwyn couldn't believe they had been in danger, and she hadn't even realized. Bronwyn obviously couldn't survive without her aunt's protection; her confidence in her ability to become a realmist was diminishing. She focused her attention from where her aunt's voice emanated and was astounded to see her aunt dragging her best friend by the ear, Flux leading the way.
    She jumped up and ran over to them, aches and pains forgotten. "Corrille!" She firmly embraced her friend who was still attached to her aunt. After a few moments , Avruellen reluctantly released the reddened appendage.  Bronwyn let go of Corrille and spoke to her, one excited word running into the next. "What are you doing here? Have you really been following us the whole time? I'm so stupid. I didn't even realise." Corrille looked torn between being happy to see her friend and ashamed at having been caught following them.
    Avruellen stepped between the girls, arms folded in front of her chest. Her voice was low and demanding. As far as Bronwyn could tell, her friend was in real trouble. "Yes , Corrille, do tell us what you're doing here." Avruellen managed to growl the words, causing both girls to back away. The colour drained from Corrille’s face, and before she could answer, she fainted. Bronwyn rushed over to help her friend, but Avruellen came between them, giving her niece a look which forbade her to come any closer. Avruellen turned toward her prisoner. Bronwyn watched, powerless, as the realmist loomed over the unconscious girl. For the first time in her life, she was truly afraid of what her aunt would do.

     
     
     
     
    6
     
    As Blayke and Arcon made their way down the mountain , the weather improved from a gusty blizzard to just gusty and freezing; at least visibility had improved. There were times during the first two days that Blayke wondered if they would become lost and freeze to death. Arcon was very wise and claimed to know these mountains like the back of his hand, however that was little consolation to Blayke