Rise of the Citadel (The Search for the Brights Book 2) by Aaron Thomas Page A

hands together as if he
needed warming. He said nothing for the longest time and ignored the presence
of the two elementals. Jace was screaming unpleasantries in Kilen’s mind.
      Finally,
Kilen’s Wizard spoke, “talking to the voices in your head again?”
    Kilen didn't
know how to answer, did the wizard already know something?
      “ Don’t say
a word until he reveals what he knows about you. He is trying to get you to
incriminate yourself, don't let him.” Jace was a knot of concentration in
the back of Kilen’s mind. Kilen did exactly as Jace wanted and hoped the other
two didn’t say anything.
      “You know if
you continue to talk to yourself, you will begin to look crazy.” Alexander
turned his head slowly to look Kilen in the eye. “Tell me boy, how are you
doing this?”
    Kilen didn’t
answer but stood staring into his eyes.
    “Not talking,
eh? Fine. I have been watching from above and overheard some of your
conversation. Perhaps when I am done telling you what I know, you will tell me
more of what is going on here,” Alexander sat down on a log next to Joahna.
    The wind picked
up a bit to make the coals glow and ruffled the flames in the fire. “Inside
that fog you will lose the ability to use any elements except the ones you take
in with you, such as your elementals. They will only be able to use what they
are in control of when they form their bodies. The Elder Wizards rotate the
defenses in the fog and other defenses. I would wait until one of those times
when you see the defenses drop, to make your way inside. Be careful, once you
do go inside, they will protect their secrets with no remorse. I will tell you
there is only one way into their town, no matter what kind of wizard or wielder
you are. It is a secret that once you are inside, you must never tell another
soul.”
    Kilen’s tongue
loosened, “So you cannot tell me, but you know how to get inside.”
    Alexander nodded
his head.
    “Can you give me
a hint, or a guess?”
    “Hint, yes.
Guess, no. Here is your hint: Without knowing what she does, your mother has
taught you to rise above. To see the elders and request what you seek, your
manners must not be bleak.”
    Kilen took a
long while ponder over the riddle Alexander had put before him, until Alexander
spoke again. “I have given you all I can give you over the matter, Kilen. Now,
we must discuss how you are doing this. I want you to know that I have seen
others that can do this but for only short periods of time, and none so young
or inexperienced as you. Controlling two elementals at once takes a toll on the
wielder so much that it can kill them in short order.”
    “Mind your
words Kilen, he is fishing for understanding. I fear he is trying to draw you
into hanging yourself.” Jace was a wairy knot.
    “Did they ever
speak to their elementals?” Kilen asked reluctantly.
    Alexander’s
answer was short and stern, “No.”
    Kilen proceeded
cautiously, “I have found it easier when I summon an elemental, to completely
give over a part of my mind and keep none of it for myself. Twilix told me to
give over my mind, but I do not know if I did it right. A part stayed in my
body, and another inside the elemental. I have just tried it for the first time
with more than one and found I can do it not only once, but twice.” He wasn’t
really lying. He really did give over what was a part of his mind.
    Alexander’s
answer was low and in a harsh voice, one that Kilen had not heard from him
before. “Do not lie to me, Kilen. I have been a wizard a long time and I know
things others do not. If you do not want to tell your wizard the truth, then
your wizard cannot trust you. Would you like to try again? How is this
possible?”
    Kilen didn’t
answer, he did not know what to do. He would sound as if he lost his mind if he
told the wizard he actually heard voices and allowed those voices to control
his elementals. If a wizard could understand hearing voices, it would be
Alexander, but