Chapter SevenLove and Loss
Barlo watched in horror as the bolt of power hurtled toward Iarion. His mind shrieked at him to move, but his limbs refused to obey. Both Iarion and Lodariel also seemed rooted in place. Lodariel’s expression twisted into a mask of anguish. Barlo could see the whites of Iarion’s eyes in the glimmering predawn light. Barlo’s entire being strained to shout in denial, but his voice remained silent. The crew of the ship and the fighters on the dock were also frozen in tableau, watching in silent awe. The only sound other than the loud crackle of the approaching bolt was the slap of the waves against the side of the ship and the creak of the masts.
A shimmering dome of power suddenly appeared over the ship. It made an angry buzz as the bolt slammed into it, less tha
