Oslang reached out and laid a hand on his arm. Andawyr covered it gratefully with his own hand.
‘And its keeper — even weakened and demented at this destruction of his soul-mate — had power such as I’ve rarely felt from one man.’ He fingered the cord of his robe and looked again at his listeners, his face suddenly calmer. ‘That was when I learned again all that I’d ever been taught.’
He nodded at Ryath. ‘Your comment was fair, Ryath, but this was no dilettante dabbler who’d happened by chance on a few tricks with the Old Power. This was a powerful and skilled mage, albeit, I fear, only an apprentice.’ He shook his head. ‘I wouldn’t have wished to encounter him at his best. Even after I downed him and scattered the creature’s lair, he found us in my inner quarters.’
‘The eye called him,’
