Read Dark Soul Silenced - Part One for Free Online Page A

bandits.
    The guard squad were all already mounted, sitting patiently waiting to leave.  Josef turned to his side, where Ser Gerome was finishing his own preparations.  Finally Ser Gerome climbed into the saddle, but he had one more task to complete.  His saddle had two specially shaped holders at the front, now Gerome took out the Purity Orb and fixed it into one of the holders.
    Josef stared at the Orb, seeing the thick mists which swirled inside giving it a greyish colour.  When held in the hand of a righteous person the Orb would start to glow an intense blue if anyone able to use the dark power came within a few feet.  The effect only lasted a short while though, once held for more than a minute or two it would need an entire day's exposure to natural light to recharge.  Without that restriction, and the fact that the Orbs were so rare, Josef was sure his order could have destroyed all traces of the dark arts in Hammersgate.  Instead the Orbs were used carefully, normally to confirm that a suspect did indeed have the ability to use dark powers.  Sometimes it led to people being released, if the Orb didn't light up when someone neared then that person was innocent – of using the dark arts at least.
    Then Gerome brought out the other sacred object he carried, the Seeker Amulet, and carefully secured it to the other side of his saddle.  Josef had never seen the Amulet up close before.  It consisted of a large off-white gem set into an elaborate housing of silvery metal.  Unlike the Orb, in its dormant state the Amulet showed no hints of the power it contained.  Josef knew if would indicate the direction their quarry had taken in some way, but knew no more details than that.  Like the Orb, the Amulet could only be used for a short time each day and had to be exposed to natural light to recharge.
    “Are the men ready, brother?” Gerome asked.
    “ Yes Ser Gerome.  We are ready to leave when you are.”
    Gerome smiled at Josef, a smile devoid of any warmth or friendship.  Without a word he turned to face forward and flicked the reigns to get his horse moving.  Josef signalled to the squad then followed Gerome, hearing the rest of the squad following behind. 
    Despite the importance of their mission no one saw them off, it was not the way of the Order.  Josef knew that many would be praying for them though, praying that the party's mission would be a success.
     
     
    They travelled till dusk, finally camping in a sheltered spot in the dip between two hills.  Once the camp was setup and a warm fire burning, Ser Gerome announced that he would use the Amulet to check on their quarry.
    Josef felt his heart race a little at the news.  He lived his life with the blessings of the Almighty all around, in the objects his order used on a daily basis such as the sword, the bracelets and the Amulet he carried — all designed to thwart the dark ones.  The Amulet was something special though, imbued with far more of the Almighty’s power than the objects Josef handled every day.  Seeing the Amulet in action would bring him closer to the Almighty’s power than ever before.  The guards clearly felt the same way, all clustering close.
    Gerome was clearly pleased with his audience, producing the Amulet with a flourish and holding it up high for several seconds before placing it on one upturned palm.  For a moment the theatrics grated on Josef, the moment seemed cheapened by them, but he quickly dismissed the thoughts and concentrated on what was to come.
    Gerome focused intently on the Amulet for several seconds.  Josef found himself holding his breath, heart starting to hammer.  Suddenly the gem at the heart of the Amulet burst into life, going from off white to an intense blue colour.
    With a smile Gerome started to swing the hand holding the Amulet in wide arcs, from west to north and back again.  Each time his arm swung past a certain point, slightly north of north-west, the gem flared white.  Josef smiled,