Read The Exodus Sagas: Book IV - Of Moons and Myth for Free Online

likely cry more than me from hearin’ it. Saberrak, he’d want to hear the fightin’ parts in detail, and Gwenneth, well, there was no magic so she’d a fell asleep by now .” Zen stood, stretched his legs and pulled his beard. He put the box back in his leather pouch.
    “ I saw those books you had read, the ones in the library. This have anything to do with th at ?”
    “Aye. Ye’ read about it too then?”
    “ I did. You are afraid, aren’t you Zen ?”
    “A bit. Said there that nine times over the last twelve hundred years did the y send excursions into the lost lands we be headin’ to. No one ever---“
    “ And? Stories in books frighten you, mighty Thalanaxe ?”
    “James, just from Shanador alone, over ten thousand men never returned from where we is going! Armies gone , hardened and reputable lords and knights never seen again , and we be just five of us! That not be countin’ any dwarves that went, nor anyone from Armondeen or other kingdoms around--- ”
    “ So ? They did not have the key, the dust, and they were not us, Zen. All we have been through, survived, what we have seen, it is all for something. Even I have no doubts anymore, even me Zen. Do not lose your faith now, not now .”
    “I knows it, I know. That be why I am here, a little spiritual kick in the ars as we round the last bend. Lot weighing on this ye’ know, all our deaths and all.” Zen smiled, feeling better having gotten some of his worries and guilts out.
    “I have your back, so do the others. Do not doubt that, not ever . We are your family now . ”
    “Allright, I s’pose we should pray then and seal this up. No feathers though, no offense Alden, but no feathers.”
    “ Well, take a knee then .” James still whispered.
    Zen took a knee. He breathed deep, clearing his mind for the will of Vundren, while a knight of Chazzrynn whispered a prayer in a church of the feathered cross, far from his home.
    “ Alden, lord of heaven, Vundren, lord of the mountains, I ask you give Azenairk Thalanaxe forgiveness for all that he has done, not done, and for the fear in his heart. I know there is nothing to fear, and that it is simply the guilt of not being there at his fathers end that weighs upon him. I know also that the grief, the pressure, and the history of this dwarf of Boraduum that sits before us now, and I ask your blessings upon him. He is the most pious, gifted, and daring of men that I know, and he has saved me more than once, even in my darkest hours. Lord s , should you see fit in your grace and wisdom , take that fear that doubt has shadowed over he and his family, cast it away, and replace it with the strength and courage that we all know he has. Lords, bless the last Thalanaxe, shine your lights upon him, so that he may carry us home , to whatever end , in your names and grace, Amen.”
    “Amen. Fine words James, fine words. ”
    “ See, no feathers.” James laughed, then stood and pulled the curtain back. The fresh air hit him in the face, cool compared to the last three hours in the confessional with his stocky friend listening the his entire family history .
    “Not a word, nothin’ to the others. That be between you and me, knight o’ Chazzrynn.” Zen reached his arms around James, giving him a big hearted squeeze.
    “Not a word, you have my vow there. Now, the sun has risen and you know the elf never sleeps. Best we head back up to the rooms and eat before they realize we have been out. ” James straightened his tabard and turned with Zen.
    “Oh we realize already, and the elf is starving. I would have hoped this last morning meal in Evermont would not have been staring at me for the last hour while we waited for you men.” Shinayne was leaning in the doorway to the temple of Alden, orange glows of the western sunrise painting her beauty and grace in with the light.
    “How long ye’ been there, elf?”
    “Long enough. I would not have cried like you think, I would have controlled it for you Zen, out