Book Two: The Spear of Calling — Chapter Five: The Road to the City of Mist
The spirit hovered beneath the surface of the lake. Its form was almost impossible to understand. Part mist. Part light. Part memory. Caradawc could feel its presence within his mind rather than merely seeing it before him. Beside him, Phephe stood perfectly still. Neither spoke. Neither needed to. The Calling had brought them here. Now they were waiting to learn why. The spirit looked first at Caradawc. Then at Phephe. Its gaze seemed to pass through them, as though searching for something hidden beneath flesh and bone. At last it spoke. Not through sound. Through spirit. You have followed the path. Caradawc nodded. "We have." You have listened. Phephe stepped forward. "We have tried." The spirit seemed almost amused. Trying is not enough. The words settled heavily within Caradawc. He had heard similar lessons before. The spirits did not reward effort. They rewarded understanding. The Calling is no...
