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hem； because they also have only Additive。 Power against power。 But somehow I’m able to walk right through the shields around here without even trying。
‘Subtractive Magic would explain that。 Subtractive would counter the Additive of the shields； undo it。’
‘But you said you tried to go through the barrier that keeps us from leaving。 That’s a shield； too。 Why can’t you go through that shield； then； if you really have the Subtractive？’
Richard lifted an eyebrow and leaned in。 ‘Warren； who put those shields in place？’
‘Well； the ones who placed the rest of the magic of the palace； the wizards of old 。。。’
‘Who you said had Subtractive Magic。 That shield is the only one placed by them。 It’s the only one I can’t go through。 It’s the only one my Subtractive Magic； if I truly have it； wouldn’t counter。 See what I mean？’
Warren sat back on his heels。 ‘Yes 。。。’ He rubbed his chin as he thought。 ‘Well； that would make sense。 It might fit with some of the prophecies about you。 If you really are a war wizard； and are the one born true。’
‘And do these prophecies say I will prevail？’
Warren hesitated。 He glanced over at the Sword of Truth lying on the floor nearby。 ‘If I said ‘white blade；’ would that mean anything to you？’
Richard let out a heavy breath at the memory。 ‘I can turn the blade of my sword white； through magic。’
Warren wiped his hand over his face。 Then I think we might be in trouble。 There is a prophecy that says； ‘Should the forces of forfeit be loosed； the world will be shadowed yet by darker lust through what has been rent。 Salvations hope； then； will be as slim as the white blade of the one born true。’’
Through what has been rent。 The open gateway；’ Richard said。
That would make ‘the darker lust’ be the Keeper。’
‘Warren； I have to do something about the prophecy。 The one about the one in white。 It’s important。 Do you have any ideas？’
Warren watched him； as if trying to decide something。 ‘I do。 I don’t know if it will help。’ He put weight on his hands as he rubbed them on his thighs。 They have a prophet here； at the palace。 I’ve never seen him。 I want to； but they won’t let me。 They say it’s too dangerous for me to talk to him until I learn more。 They promised that when I learn enough； they will let me talk with him。’
‘Here in the palace？ Where？’
Warren pulled a fold of his robes from under his knees。 ‘I don’t know。 It would have to be one of the restricted areas； but I don’t know which one； and I don’t know how we can find out。’
Richard stood。 ‘I do。’
Richard knew he had gone to the right guard when Swordsman Kevin Andellmere turned white as a spirit at the mention of the Prophet。 He was reluctant； feigning ignorance at first； but when Richard gently reminded him of all the favors； Kevin whispered the location。
The pound Kevin had divulged was one of the most heavily guarded。 Richard knew where all the guards were stationed because he had gathered white roses there； and had been up on the wall； to ‘look out at the sea。’ He also knew all the guards。 They were frequent visitors to the prostitutes he provided。
He didn’t slow at the outer gate； but simply gave a nod to the wink the guards gave him。 The guards at the rampart were considerably more reticent； stammering and holding out a hand to halt him。 He shook the hand； pretending that he thought that was what was meant by it。 They finally sighed and resumed their post as he marched away； his mris…with cape billowing open。
At the end of the rampart was a small colonnade； and at the end of that； winding stairs that led down to the Prophet’s quarters。 The guards at the door he wanted were the two he had had trouble winning over at first； and the first to receive his gift of female pany。 They stiffened when they saw him。
Richard casually made for the door between them。 ‘Walsh； Bollesdun； how you doing？’
They crossed their pikes over the door。 ‘Richard； what are you doing down here？ The roses grow up top。’
‘Look； Walsh； I have to go see the Prophet。’
‘Richard； don’t put us in this spot。 You know we can’t let you in。 The Sisters would skin us alive。’
Richard shrugged。 ‘I won’t tell them you let me in。 I’ll say I tricked you。 If anyone finds out； which they won’t； just tell them I snuck by； and you didn’t know until I was on my way out。 I’ll back your story。’
‘Richard； you’re really 。。。’
‘Have I ever done anything to cause trouble？ Have I ever done anything but help all you men？ I buy you drinks； I loan you money when you need it； I let you have free access to the girls； and it never costs you a copper。 Have I ever asked for anything in return？’
Richard had his hand on the hilt of the sword。 One way； or another； he was going through that door。
Walsh pushed a stone chip with his boot。 With a heavy sigh； first one； and then the other； pulled their pikes up。 ‘Bollesdun； go make your rounds。 I’m going to the privy for a sit。’
Richard took his hand from his sword and gave the man a pat on the shoulder。 ‘Thanks； Walsh。 I appreciate it。’
Halfway down the inner hall； Richard felt layers of resistance； shields； like the ones that were outside the Prelate’s door； but they only slowed him a bit。 The room inside was as spacious as his own； but perhaps more elegantly appointed。 One wall held large tapestries； and another expansive bookshelves。 Most of the books； though； seemed to be scattered about the room； on chairs and couches and covering the blue…and…yellow carpets on the floor。
Richard could see the back of a man in the chair beside the cold hearth。
‘You must tell me how you do that；’ the man said in a deep； powerful voice。 ‘I would be most interested in learning the trick。’
‘Do what？’ Richard asked。
‘Walk through shields as if they weren’t there。 Burns the flesh right off me if I try。’
‘If I ever figure it out myself； I’ll let you know。 My name is Richard。 If you’re not busy； I would like to speak with you。’
‘Busy！’ The man’s shoulders shook with his hearty laugh。 When he stood； Richard was a little surprised at how big he was。 His long white hair had made Richard think he might be old and shriveled。 Old； he was； shriveled he was not。 He looked strong and full of vitality。 His smile was weling and threatening at the same time。 He wore a Rada’Han； the same as Richard。
‘My name is Nathan； Richard。 I’ve been looking forward to meeting you。 I didn’t expect you would find your way in alone。’
‘I wanted to e alone so we could talk freely。’
‘And do you know that I am a prophet？’
‘I didn’t e here to learn to bake bread。’
Nathan’s smile widened； but he didn’t laugh。 His brows pulled together like a hawk’s。 His voice took on a hiss。 ‘Would you like me to tell you of your death； Richard？ How you are to die？’
Richard flopped down on the couch and plunked his feet up on a table。 He returned the hawklike glare and threatening smile in kind。 ‘Sure。 I’d love to hear all about it。 And