Birth of a Mortal God Read Online Free PDF Page B

blurred her vision as she pulled on the black tunic and trousers he had left next to the burnt-out fire. She shook with sobs as she exited the cave, the wintry breeze biting at her wet cheeks.
    Outside, she found that she was west of Willow Way, the column of black smoke making it easy to find. The cave was situated uphill at the base of the Viper Mountains. Her eyes darted desperately over the valley, but it seemed hopeless. She turned back in despair when something caught her eye. A figure, slowly making its way across the dell below.
    She felt a surge of relief and started running down the slope towards it. The closer she got, the more she felt hope build in her breast. It was Killmar, but with a trophy deer strapped to his shoulders. She burst into renewed tears as she reached him and hugged him fiercely, in an almost primal fear that he would vanish if she let go.
    He regarded her a moment. “Did something happen while I was gone?”
    “I thought you abandoned me,” she answered between sobs.
    “I only went hunting.”
    “I’m sorry,” she said, feeling a bit embarrassed for her behaviour.
    “Are you fit to walk back?”
    She wanted to ask what he meant, when she felt her legs quiver under her own weight. In her distress, she had run miles without stopping, and her body now seemed intent on disciplining her.
    He caught her as her legs gave way and scooped her into his arms. “My, my, you are a handful.”
    “I’m sorry. Will you be able to carry me?”
    “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” he asked, confused.
    “You do have the weight of an entire deer pressing down on your shoulders,” she pointed out.
    He only smiled at the comment and started towards the cave.
    “How are we going to carry around all that meat after we’ve breakfasted?”
    He smiled. “We?”
    She looked down. “I mean, if you decide to let me travel with you.”
    He stopped and studied her face for a while before grinning. “Aren’t you adorable so early in the morning? I suppose keeping you around would have some benefits, even if it is just to amuse me.”
    She smiled at her new companion. “Then I’ll try to be as amusing as possible. So what are we going to do with all that meat?”
    “There won’t be any left, I intend to eat it all.”
    Jessica stared on in amazement as Killmar began eating the last piece of venison. He had neatly started eating as any man of rank would, but simply never seemed to achieve repleteness.
    “How did you manage that?” she asked as he tossed the clean eaten bone upon its fellows.
    “My body needs a great deal of nourishment to stay strong, it is . . . a trait among my people.”
    “Odd, tell me more of your people. What are they called?”
    He held up his hand. “Jessica, if you are to travel with me, then you should know there are some things I won’t tell you. The sooner you accept this as an unchangeable fact, the better. Otherwise you can go your own way.”
    Afraid of being left to fend for herself, she quickly nodded.
    “Good, now tend to the tasks I gave you earlier. I’m going to enjoy the scenery,” he said before moving to the cave’s entrance.
    She spared a quick glance at him before hopping to the chores he had given. It was simple servant’s work: cleaning cooking utensils, dousing the fire, furling the animal pelts under which they slept. It took her but a few moments to complete the tasks, but she now stood baffled. Ten fur bundles lay before her, more than two people on foot could possibly carry on their own.
    She decided to cast her worries aside and approached the tranquil man appreciating the beauty of the dell below. “I’ve done as you asked.”
    He smiled. “Thank you, my adorable assistant. Now, please wait for me outside, I’ll be out momentarily.”
    “Why should I wait outside?”
    Suddenly, she felt an unexplained pressure on her very being. It became hard to breathe and her knees shook under the weight of her body. It took only seconds for them to