Into the Wastelands: Book Four of the Restoration Series by Christopher Williams Page B

see another one as long as I live,” Flare said. “Why do you have fond memories of the damn thing?”
    Diana laughed, looking happy. “It’s not exactly fond memories. It’s just that this is something from when I was part of your world, something I never expected to see again. It just reminds me of when I was much younger.” The happiness seemed to fade away, and she looked more melancholy. Her eyes came back to Flare again and she studied him for a moment and then she gasped. “Where’s Ossendar?”
    Gritting his teeth, Flare didn’t answer immediately. “The monk still has it,” he finally answered. “I have to go back.”
    “But you can’t,” Diana said quickly. “If you return now, then the disorientation will put you right back in their hands.”
    That thought had already occurred to Flare as well, but he couldn’t see any other choice. “I’ll just have to risk it,” he said. “I can not leave the sword in their hands.”
    “Hold a moment,” Diana said. “These monks are desperate to capture you?” she asked. Fl are nodded and she continued, “W ell, surely they won’t leave the area? After all, they expect that you are in the immediate vicinity.”
    “Perhaps,” Flare agreed, “but it’s also possible that they will take the sword to the Church will all possible haste. They know that I must come for it.”
    Diana nodded, “Y ou must at least take a weapon with you.”
    “I have my sorcery,” Flare said, still reveling in the enhanced senses, “ i t will do.”
    “Oh yes,” Diana replied with a touch of mockery in her voice. “Sorcery will be your weapon, a weapon that you undoubtedly will not even be able to use immediately upon your return.”
    “Well, what do you recommend?” Flare demanded, his anger getting the best of him. “I cannot just stay here.”
    “No,” Diana agreed, “but neither should you charge foolishly off without planning or considering another’s council.” Her tone had gone a little cool.
    With some difficulty Flare reigned in his anger. “My apologies. I just can’t stand the thought of Ossendar in their hands.”
    Diana nodded. “Come. Let’s eat something and get you a sword.” She took Flare by the arm and began steering him out of the room.
    “Is that a good idea?” Flare asked. He still remembered his last trip away from here and he had been glad that his stomach had been empty. “I’m not sure that I should eat before returning.”
    “Trust me,” Diana answered calmly. “I have a plan.”
     
    Diana led him up several flights of stairs and they soon reached a small room with a table covered in food. Despite her earlier anger, she must have ordered the food as soon as she knew Flare was returning. She must have assumed they would smooth out the disagreement.
    At the sight of the food, Flare felt his stomach growl. The breads, vegetables, and thoroughly cooked meats all appealed to him. It seemed that he hadn’t eaten anything but hard biscuits and roasted rabbit in forever. He felt his mouth watering and was pleased that he had listened to Diana’s advice. He moved over and began helping himself.
    Diana rang a small bell and young woman appeared almost immediately. The woman was a maid of some sort and she stood in the doorway with her eyes down.
    “Get some clothes for Master Flare,” Diana said and the woman turned and hastened to obey. “And send a boy to the armory to fetch Flare a broadsword,” Diana called out after the girl.
    Flare wanted to eat everything on the table but he forced himself to show some restraint. He had to travel back to his world and he didn’t want his best attack move to be vomiting on the monk.
    Retrieving something from a cabinet along the wall, Diana walked over and sat down next to Flare, facing him. She uncorked a small bottle and poured a liquid into her left hand. She then set the bottle back on the edge of the table and began rubbing the liquid between her hands. “Hold you r arms out,”