‘These must be ten times the value of those you’re carrying,’ he said breathlessly. ‘Who is this man, carrying wealth like that so casually around his neck? I thought he was just a novice, but he must be a Higher Brother. What are we going to do?’
Atlon shook his head. ‘For this one, nothing,’ he said. ‘He’s beyond any help.’ He stroked Dvolci’s head, though for his own comfort, not the felci’s. ‘He paid the price of what he was doing. It was inevitable. I did my best to protect him from himself, but...’ His voice tailed off.
‘I don’t understand. What’s happened to him?’ Heirn persisted. Atlon looked down at the green crystals. ‘Like me, he has — had — some skill in the use of the Power. Unlike me, whoever instructed him led him grievously astray, teaching him to use it — misuse it — thr
