Blazing Earth Read Online Free PDF Page B

circle. Built in olden times and covered with the remnants of the original cathedral, this land held power.
    Although a score of men rode in this group, it was a hushed and silent journey through those first hours and first days. For Tolan, who rarely left Lord Geoffrey’s land, it was interesting. The soil of the Salisbury Plain felt very different from that of the fields and hills of his own lands, too. His hummed with some living force that he had not found anywhere else.
    Their journey moved along at a painfully slow pace as they stopped at various hills and mounds and stones along their path. At first, Lord Geoffrey disclosed nothing about his search and since they were journeying farther and farther away from any familiarplaces, Tolan offered no comments and practiced his patience. His thoughts were filled with all the tasks he should be completing back home.
    When the orders were given to ride north, his unease grew.
    On the sixth day of their journey, as they approached the more familiar large circle of stones nearer to the west of Amesbury, Geoffrey called for them to stop and make camp. A sense of nervous anticipation filled Tolan and he found himself holding his breath every time the nobleman uttered a word. And when the sun dropped behind the mountains to the west and Lord Geoffrey approached him alone, Tolan waited to learn the reason behind the journey.
    â€œMy lord,” Tolan said, standing as the man grew nearer to his own place by the fire. “How can I be of service?”
    â€œSit.” Geoffrey motioned back to the rock on which he’d been sitting. “Leave us,” he said to the others who yet sat too close by. After those few wandered off to other places, Lord Geoffrey sat down. “What do you know of these stones, Tolan? Did your family pass down stories about them?”
    â€œI know little, my lord. No one knows their origin or why they sit in such strange circles.” Tolan shrugged, relieved that his questions involved
this
group of stones and not another. “Some say they were brought here by the ancient magician Merlin,” he said, chuckling. “But I know not the truth of it.”
    Lord Geoffrey stared at him then, as though trying to discern whether or not to say more. When the manlet out a rough breath, Tolan knew he had decided to do that.
    â€œI must find a ring of stones in this area,” he began, leaning in closer. “None of the others must know more than that.” His gaze narrowed and he stopped speaking until Tolan nodded his assent. “The stones I seek sit in a circle of eight stones and are carved with various symbols.”
    Tolan fought off his inclination to scream out in denial and concentrated on keeping his own knowledge inside. “These, my lord?” he asked, pointing at the stones nearby as they stood in silence under the waxing moon. “Mayhap a smaller circle existed within the larger ones?” He chose his words very carefully, not wanting to appear too knowledgeable or too lacking.
    â€œWe searched these the last time I was here,” Geoffrey explained. “I can see no markings or carvings.” Shaking his head, he glanced over at the stones once more. “There are some shapes and scratches, but not like those for which I search.”
    Tolan debated whether or not to ask the question burning in his own mouth. He should let this alone and not stir up more interest by discussing it further. Lord Geoffrey nodded at him.
    â€œI trust you will keep my counsel and not speak of this to anyone else, Tolan. I look for certain symbols carved into the highest places on the stones. Flame, lightning, water, the sun, and more. I must find them. My very li . . .” Lord Geoffrey stopped and looked around as though he’d heard someone approach. “I must find them.”
    â€œI know of no such stones, my lord,” Tolan offered. He said so even while knowing he lied as he spoke those