Read The Bonding (The Song and the Rhythm) for Free Online

know how to react to us, so he did the only thing he could think of. Just get away.”
    This time it was Merdel’s turn to sigh. “Well, now what do we do? I certainly don’t want all of the effort that’s been put into this venture to be wasted. We’ve got to do something, even if it means finding someone else.”
    “I thought you said no one else had what was needed. You said Sean had all the right characteristics to make the adjustment.”
    “I know what I said! But it doesn’t mean I can’t change my mind. I haven’t examined everyone in this world, you know. No matter what I feel the Great God has told me, I still must be thorough so I honor His guidance.”
    “All right, all right. You don’t have to yell at me.” Drath sighed as he looked off into the night. An owl hooted, and the chorus of insects halted a mere second before resuming their nightly music. “I just think we need to give him another chance. And we need to return him his sword.”
    Merdel chuckled and shook his head, constantly amused at how easily Drath wanted to deny the intervention of the divine. Just because you don’t see His hand doesn’t mean He isn’t there . “You are always the warrior. You think that by giving him his sword back, Sean will calm down and see reason. He might even be so grateful he agrees to join us.”
    Drath glowered. “You don’t have to be a horse’s rump about this, Merdel. And no, I don’t think he’ll simply forget his fears and accept us. But I do think we should at least talk to him again. Remember, this was your fire-brained idea in the first place.”
    “I know, I know.” The wizard’s smile faded. “I just wish things weren’t so difficult. This would be easier if he’d realize we’re telling him the truth.”
    “I think that’s what happened. He almost believed me, and when he saw Thorne and the elves he truly did. But the sudden realization of his life’s dream made him panic. I probably wouldn’t have acted much differently.”
    Merdel shrugged. “Maybe so. But whatever is going on in that young man’s head, we need to make a decision soon. Our time here is limited if we want to avoid upsetting the balance.”
    “Whatever you say. You’re the wizard.”
    Merdel smirked sarcastically. “I’m glad you remember that. But what do you think we should do? You are, after all, our leader.”
    Drath shrugged. “I guess all we can do is go to his dorm tomorrow and try to reason with him. Maybe if we all talk to him, he’ll see we’re not as scary as he thinks.”
    Merdel nodded. “And if that doesn’t work, I can always employ other methods of persuasion.”
    Drath’s face hardened. “Absolutely not! Under no circumstances are you to use magic on him. That would be worse than lying to him. I want him to believe us because he trusts us. Besides, I thought you said casting spells here was bad for the balance.” Drath held his tongue on the other reason Merdel had said spell casting was forbidden in this world. It would spark a religious discussion he didn’t want to get into.
    “It is. But if it’s needed, I’d be willing to risk it.” He held out his hands quickly to halt any protest. “But don’t worry, I won’t do that. It was just an idea. I like Sean, too, and I don’t want to hurt him anymore than you do.”
    Merdel did not say that they also needed the black-haired youth, needed him more than they needed anything else. What he’d seen Sean do today hinted at something he’d read, at something the Great God had revealed to him in a dream. While he didn’t completely believe it, he wasn’t going to take the chance of ignoring it. If it was true, Sean might be their only hope.
     
    * * *
    Sean grumbled incoherently as he blundered down the hallway to answer the knock at the door. The headache he’d woken up with hadn’t diminished, and the bright sunshine streaking through the windows only made his eyes squint more. Consequently, he didn’t turn wide enough to