| Chapter 25: The Seventh Ward |
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Swinging back toward the trough, she raised the Staff's guttering flame high over her head, and shouted like a war cry, "Melenkurion Abatha! Ward yourself well, Fangthane! I seek to destroy you!"
Then she stooped to the EarthBlood. Covenant struggled frantically in her direction, but his feet scattered out from under him again, and he went down with a crash like a shock of incapacity. As she lowered her face to the trough, he shouted, "That's not a good answer! What happens to the Oath of Peace?" But his cry did not penetrate her exaltation. Without hesitation, she took one steady sip of the Blood, and swallowed it. At once, she leaped to her feet, stood erect and rigid as if she were possessed. She appeared to swell, expand like a distended icon. The fire of the Staff ran down the wood to her hands. Instantly, her whole form burst into flame. "Elena!" Covenant crawled toward her. But the might of her blue, crackling blaze threw him back like a hard wind. He struck the tears from his eyes to see her more clearly. Within her enveloping fire, she was unharmed and savage. While the flame burned about her, enfolded her from head to foot in fiery cerements, she raised her arms, lifted her face. For one fierce moment she stood motionless, trapped in conflagration. Then she spoke as if she were uttering words of flame. "Come! I have tasted the EarthBlood! You must obey my will. The walls of death do not prevail. Kevin son of Loric! Come!" |