I remembered very well the force power of the Book of Black Earth. I recalled the power that had thrown me to the ground, even when I had been in a different room from the Book. “I have no intention of opening this thing, yet alone using it,” I promised, “but Alistair needs it, and so we can use it as bait.”
“I will help you!” I tried to throw my message across to Fergus, but his mind was clouded with a hundred images. “I am with you always, and although I must constantly struggle to keep back this terrible power, I will help in every way I can. But you must listen to me and heed what I say. Do not weaken, Fergus, and do not allow even a hint of the evil to corrupt you, or the good will be diminished.”
This time there was no blinding pain of transformation but I was aware of that small v
