Page 73 of Sword & Shadow
A beat of uncomfortable silence filled the camp before Rafferty nudged Evylin’s side. “I’ve been thinking,” he said.
“Here we go,” Thom said.
Ilain jabbed his side with the toe of her boot, though she chuckled.
Rafferty ignored them both. “With Eve’s discovery of the Relics’ ability to turn into a sword and all that, do you think they could turn into other weapons?”
Ethenn looked up, intrigued.
“Hm.” Auden pursed his lips in thought. “TheAlmanac of Elgurdoes depict them in various weapon forms. Though his writings are debated.”
“Because he was crazy,” Ilain muttered.
Auden sent her a disparaging look. “While I’ve not studied his work extensively,” he continued. “He is one of the few ancient Mages whose works survive today. From what I understand, his experiments as a Time Mage were the foundation for passageways like the one we used to pass through the Day Keep into Night.”
“So that’s how that works?” Ethenn asked. “I was wondering.”
“It’s a combination of Time and Space magic,” Auden confirmed. “I’m not well-versed in either, so I couldn’t tell youexactly how it’s done. But it’s impressively detailed work, I can say that.”
“Anyway,” Rafferty drawled, “back to my question. Can the Relics turn into, say, a dagger? Or a bow? Maybe a hatchet. That could be fun.”
Auden shrugged. “I don’t know.”
A mischievous glint lit Rafferty’s silver eyes. “We could find out,” he said, the amethyst pendant of the Night Relic suddenly dangling from his hand. Its dull gemstone hung with no sign of the magic hidden within its core.
Immediately, Evylin met Deckard’s stare. He could feel her fear across the camp. His instinct was anger with Rafferty for suggesting it in the first place. The weasel knew of Evylin’s struggle with the Day Relic. But then, Deckard realized, this was Night that the man offered. The one Relic Evylin would have absolutely no interest in keeping.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Auden said.
“Necessary? No,” Rafferty said, making the Relic spin in the air. “Fun, yes.”
The highlord gave him an imperious glare. “Relics are not forfun. They are sacred artifacts from Allore’s own hand.”
Rafferty ignored him. “Colonel?”
Seeing the barest flicker of interest in Evylin’s expression, Deckard decided to take Hewitt’s advice and trust her to take care of herself. “I’m not the Warrior. Let Evylin decide.”
Rafferty swayed the Night Relic temptingly in front of her face. “What’ll it be, Eve?”
Evylin stared at the pendant, emotionless. Whatever thoughts were going through her mind, Deckard imagined they must be quite at war. It took several seconds before she jerked up from her seat, snagging the Relic as she stood.
An instant glow of deep violet light radiated from the Relic as it morphed into an elegant, curved short sword. The bladeappeared to be crafted from a vibrant purple metal, with the cross guard, hilt, and pommel all of a darker amethyst hue. From his distance, Deckard couldn’t see all the fine detail, but he could tell that the weapon was far more intricate than any smith could design.
They all stared at it in awe, Evylin most reverently of all. She slashed up, slicing clean through the branch above Rafferty. Thin and primarily leafy, it crashed on his head with a gentlewhoomp,causing them all to laugh.
Rafferty shoved the branch off, his wily grin wide. “Try another,” he said.
Evylin flicked her wrist, and the amethyst light of the short sword beamed brightly before shifting into a slender, metallic bow. Ethenn sat up straight, mouth ajar as gemstones shimmered in the bow’s limbs.
Thom sniggered. “I think Ethenn’s met the love of his life.”
“Unfortunately,” Rafferty quipped, “it’s unrequited.”
“Mm. Star-crossed lovers.” Thom clucked his tongue. “Devastating.”
Ethenn sent them both scathing glares.
Thoughtfully, Evylin ran her fingers along the bowstring. “I’ve never trained in archery,” she admitted. Then she gave Ethenn an apologetic look. “It feels like a waste.”
