Read Steel And Flame (Book 1) for Free Online Page B

him slip.
    Marik glanced out the window.  The light glowed dimly
with dusk’s onset.  Probably they would stay the night in town.  That would be
good.
    Thinking fast, Marik wolfed his remaining stew and
bolted from Puarri’s.
     
    *        *        *        *        *
     
    Summer turns to autumn, and the colors change among
the towering Euvea.  Though the seasons never robbed the monolithic trees of
their leaves, they reflected the deep molten shades of an autumn sunset.
    It was the rarest of times for Council Member Orlan. 
The council had finished its business of the moment in timely fashion.  No new
crisis had erupted since the last had been resolved.  In fact, as a council
member, no pressing duties overshadowed him at all.  For the moment.
    The elder made his way down a stairway spiraling
around a trunk to the pool covering the forest floor.  He sat on a smaller
Euvea root that arched out of the water, watching as a table-sized leaf floated
down from the canopy far above.  It settled on the placid surface.  Light from
the fading sun shone in shafts through the foliage onto the soft algae under
the surface, transforming the waters into liquid shades of greenish gold.
    Orlan rested his feet in the water and waved to
passing people on the walkways above.  His mind was free to wander wherever it
willed, and as it did it touched on numerous subjects.  He thought about young
Colbey and wondered if the trip outside the forest would do him good.  He
thought about the council and future tasks that would need attention.  He
thought about the Guardians and wondered how well they would handle the seasons
ahead at their present strength level.  He thought about the pool before him
and the terrible secret it concealed within its depths.  He thought about the
various forest creatures he had not seen in several years since his council duties
tied him to the village, and felt a twinge of sorrow.
    The tranquility seemed to be a thing eternal, existing
forever among the forest giants.  Orlan knew better, yet still wished it were
so as he cherished the moments he so rarely enjoyed these days.  That thought
would replay relentlessly through his mind during the next several candlemarks
after the peace was shattered by the unmistakable scream of a person dying a
violent death, and an unholy, terrible chorus of roars which shook the giant
leaves high in the majestic Euvea.
     
    *        *        *        *        *
     
    The daylight had faded to near darkness when Marik saw
Puarri’s front door open for the quiet, barrel shaped man.  Abruptly he
realized he had no idea what he was doing.  Well, too late now.  Unsure what he
would say, he stepped forward to intercept the men as they left the tavern.
    “Pardon me.”
    The man before him shifted his attention.  “Yes?  Is
something amiss?”
    “No.  I wanted to ask if you were heading east
tomorrow.”
    “We are heading east this moment,” he replied, gesturing
over his shoulder to where the other two were still talking with Puarri by the
cloak pegs.
    “Oh.  What I really wanted to know was if I may
accompany you for a distance along the road.  I need to go east, but I don’t
want to travel alone.”
    “And why not, may I ask?”
    “There can be dangerous people on the road that I’d
rather not meet alone.”
    “How do you know we are not of those dangerous people
ourselves?”
    “You’re swords-for-hire, aren’t you?”
    “If you mean mercenaries, then yes, we are.  Are you
looking to hire us as guards?”
    “No, it’s as I said.  I need to travel east.”
    “An’ what’s this, stoic Maddock?  Have you found a new
pet to care an’ feed for so as not to be forced to endure our lovely company?”
    Their words with Puarri finished, the two men had collected
their belongings and joined their friend outside.  The jester had spoken with
an affected brogue while the sullen other stood on the