The Codex Lacrimae by A.J. Carlisle Page A

phenomena, but you’ll become accustomed to them if you’re to master the threads of space and time.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Clarinda interrupted. “How do you know these —”
    â€œYou saw my sisters, your Hospitaller, and even Morpeth at that pool, although I imagine that nasty one appeared in the vision as a dark shadow. All this is the future, which is rushing now to the present. I’m here to help you prepare.”
    â€œWait,” the girl said, recognizing the woman. “You’re the one lying in the pool! I thought you were dying.”
    The woman nodded. “Perhaps I will be. I am Urd. You’ll take my place after that Huntsman takes his due.”
    â€œ Mi scusi ?”
    â€œI am you in that time which will be, as you even now are me in the triad of Fate, Being, and Necessity. Noi siamo il Norns, cara . We are the Norns, Dear. The time has come for you to take up the skein and assist in matters that have import in all the Nine Worlds.”
    â€œWe have called you in your dreams, Clarinda,” Urd said, “now listen in the waking.”

Chapter 4
    The Words of Urd

    Clarinda said nothing, astonished that the woman knew what she’d been dreaming for the past couple of months, but unable to reply.
    â€œYour plan to find your father has merit because it will carry you eastward across the Great Sea. Angelo Trevisan is no longer in Constantinople, but in Caesarea. South and east from here lay the lands where you must go, where even now the Codex Lacrimae will soon confront its potential master. Gain your ship with the help of the Stratioticus children, and take the warrior-born, Alexander, with you. My sister has traced a thread where he may serve you well, if not without some frustration on his part. I must warn you now, though — even if you reach Caesarea, hope not for your father. Live not for him, but for your Fate yet to be. Yggdrassil’s roots run deep, Bambina , and sisters you now have who will help you.”
    â€œHow can you say such a thing?” Clarinda asked, horrified. “I’ll find him...my entire reason for getting out of this city is to find him.”
    â€œUnfortunately, Angelo Trevisan’s greed brought him into Nightmare’s orbit. There’s naught we can do for him.”
    â€œI won’t believe that! I can’t.”
    â€œBelieve what you will, Sister,” Urd sighed, “but, you will stop protesting every sentence I speak, and listen to me . ” At the last words, the woman’s eyes fixed on Clarinda’s and the girl stepped backward. Irritated, she resisted the impulse to keep retreating.
    â€œYou...you pushed me!” she glared. How had the woman moved her with only her voice?
    â€œAnd you stopped yourself,” Urd observed, smiling slightly. “There are few in the worlds who can resist a Norn’s voice. It seems my dreams and Skuld’s predictions prove out, after all.”
    â€œI’ll not hear anymore about my father dying,” Clarinda persisted.
    â€œThen find him strung up in a galley of dead men!” Urd retorted. “The matters of which I speak go beyond Angelo Trevisan’s poor choices, Clarinda. I speak of artifacts lost that are now found, of witches undone who are now remade, and allies betrayed who march to war.”
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about!”
    The woman caressed Clarinda’s cheek. “I may be able to speak more clearly after Caesarea, but to do so ere that time might be to forewarn our enemies. I can say this: enlist the aid of the Codex Wielder to destroy the caskets at the Krak des Chevaliers. If you do so, Morpeth and Farbauti will be much hindered in their efforts on this world, and Surtur delayed long enough for your training to be completed. Do not underestimate them, nor the machinations and traps that they’ve set in place to retrieve the Codex