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There was another vast sound - and abruptly, the great fury stood corinding against rock Tons and tons of earth and stone ceased their ru their way down to earth, re ithin the storm clouds died The air went still, until they and the raindrops were the only things an to coed froreen

"Aleran?" Kitai called, her eyes flicking around them

"Bloody crows," Tavi whispered He turned to Kitai, and said, "She's trying to clai to claim Garados and Thana"

"Is it possible?"

"For you or me?" Tavi shook his head "But Alera told me that her power has a broader base than ours does Maybe And if she does"

Kitai's face turned grireat furies, it won't ainst her" She eyed Tavi "And you led her to them"

He scowled at her, and said, "Yes"

They both increased their speed

"And you woke her up in the first place"

Tavi clenched his teeth "Yes"

"I sis are"

Tavi suppressed a sigh, ignored his growing fatigue, and pushed ahead harder, until the roar of their windstreams precluded conversation

They found the vord Queen atop the frost-coated crown of Garados's head She simply stood there, half-burned and naked, her head bowed and her hands spread slightly apart Above her hat looked like a motionless vortex, where terrible winds had borne up crystals of ice and snow into a glittering spiral

The vord Queen opened her eyes as they came into view of her Her lips curved up into a ser looked like a mimicked expression It contained as much bitterness, hate, and malevolent amusement as Tavi had ever seen on anyone

"Father," the Queen said "Mother"