Shadow of the Avatar

Chapter 16 -- Return to Corwin and the Bloody Rebuke

Never imagined I'd ever be jumping around the Realms with magic. After doing it once, I not only couldn't imagine it...I dreaded it.

--Wren

Standing in the book-lined study, Wren held her breath. She wished for another few sips of Cassandra's fire wine as she watched Desiray's anger rise. It started like a ground tremor at the woman's feet and rose until her whole body was vibrating with restrained tension. Gold-skinned Cassandra watched Desiray, the mage's angular face unreadable.

The three of them had discussed the guild and the events leading up to the attack on the Brethren. The facts pointed to two things, Vulcindra had not only been stealing from the Brethren, but she'd also engineered the downfall of the Guild as well.

The revealing of a traitor had cracked it for Desiray. She was going back to Corwin to win her Guild back and track down Vulcindra. Now.

"How?" Wren asked.

Desiray's tone sounded hard. "Same way you got here."

Wren's stomach tightened. She groaned, thinking of how she had felt after the sovereign transported her to Ivaneth.

"Your first time?"

She nodded. "I've never been that sick."

Desiray's smile could have frozen water. "It's not much better the second time." Desiray turned to Cassandra. She put a hand behind the bigger woman's neck, fingers twining in her hair.

She rose on tiptoes and pulled the gold woman to her. Faces close, lips not quite touching they stared in each other's eyes. "I'll see you in a few days."

Cassandra smiled. "See to it, you minx."

They broke apart. Desiray fixed Wren with a stare.

Her eyes narrowed in concentration, the pupils dilating. Light flared around herself and Desiray, then all Wren saw were green eyes blazing in brilliant white light. She felt a stomach wrenching acceleration, and they plunged through a black star-filled void.

They slammed back into reality. Desiray was the only fixture that remained constant. They now stood in a dark alley. The white-haired woman inhaled long and deep, then let it out slow. She smiled. The after affects hit Wren like a hammer. Unable to breathe and barely able to think, she listed like a scuttled ship. Desiray took her by the shoulders and let her slide down the wall.

"How you going to be tough, girl, if you can't handle a little teleport?" She glanced around. "Be back for you shortly."

Desiray blended into the shadows. One moment she was there, the next she became a part of the darkness.

Wren only groaned. Ishtar it hurt. Corona made a concerned piping on her side. She gripped his pommel. Power flooded into her, warm sensations blotting out the pain. She drew a full breath without difficulty.

After a few deep breaths, she rose without effort. Despite his drawbacks, having Corona definitely had its benefits. No longer paralyzed by pain, she could turn her mind to other things. How had Desiray brought them here? Even a mage had to cast a spell. She simply concentrated and carried them off through the void.

What kind of creature could do that? Her skin grew cold. An avatar could do it. That might explain why Hethanon attacked the guild. One avatar after another? Wren bit her lip. Did she really want to know?

She identified her surroundings. The alley smelled of rotting eggs and carrion. Rats squeaked and rustled in the refuse. She'd been in this alley before. The guild was only two blocks away. So close. Something in her said she should tremble. She didn't shake. Her outstretched hand was as dry and steady.