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

husband and daughter and burst into tears.  Daniel put an arm around her and she turned into him, sobs shaking her body.  Daniel just held her.  After everything that had happened she needed the release.  A few minutes passed before the sobs tailed off and she pulled away.
    “Better?” he asked with a smile.
    “ Yes.”  Her answering smile was shy.  “It was… everything… it just…”
    “ I understand.  It's all right.  You've been through a nightmare.  You had to get it out of your system.”
    “ Thank you.  For everything.”
    “ Really, it is fine.”  Daniel was getting embarrassed by all the thanks.  He sought to change the subject.  “Your daughter… she has an incredible gift.”
    Sarah pulled a face.  “Gift maybe.  Or curse.  That's what they call it where we come from.  The town of Hammersgate.  It's why we're travelling, well, running really.  We didn't know she had this… gift.  I don't think she did.  Then there was an accident, a young boy was injured by a horse.  We weren't there so we don't know the details but we were told his chest had been crushed.  He was dying.  Mary was there.  She healed him.  She saved him.  In doing it she passed out herself.  But it was clear that she'd saved him.  Clear to everyone in the street.  Within twenty minutes the witch hunters were looking for her.  To burn her!”
    Sarah took a deep breath to steady herself.  Daniel waited patiently for her to continue.
    “ The boy's family saved her.  They took her home with their son, got her out of immediate danger.  She woke again a few minutes later and they found out where she lived.  The boy's Uncle risked his life.  He carried her back to us, warned us of the danger and helped us to slip out of the city.  If he'd been caught with us the punishment would have been death.  As it would have been for Jon and I.  She's our daughter, that's no threat to us, but he risked his life for a child he had only just met.  We don't even know his name, he said it was best that way.  He saved us.  He got us out of the city, stayed with us for a day before turning back.  I just hope he came to no harm.”
    The two of them sat in silence for a while, a silence eventually broken by the sleeping man's rasping snore.  Sarah smiled fondly at him.  “I never thought I'd be this happy to hear that noise,” she said.
    Daniel chuckled.  Looking at her he said “You look tired.  Rest a little.  Do not worry, I will stand guard.”  He projected feelings of safety and sleepiness.
    With a yawn and a nod Sarah lay down beside her husband, head resting on his chest.  Within moments she too was asleep.
    Daniel sat back, enjoying the suns warmth, the sound of the waves crashing on the beach and for the first time since his nightmare began felt completely at peace.  He smiled down at the sleeping family.  He'd travel with them he decided.  See them safely to their destination.  It was the least he could do.  And then… well, time would tell.
     

Part Two - The Journey

Chapter Six
    Ser Josef knocked on the heavy wooden door to the prefect's office, then waited patiently until the door opened.  Rather than the aged prefect he found himself facing the intense gaze of Ser Gerome.
    “ Excuse me brother,” Ser Gerome said, his voice precise and clipped.
    “ Of course brother,” Josef replied politely, stepping to one side.
    “ Come in Ser Josef,” called the prefect.
    Josef entered the room, shut the door and turned to face the prefect.  The room was starkly utilitarian, bare rock walls and no furniture except the desk with a chair each side and two large bookshelves weighed down with books and records.
    Prefect Lantus sat behind the desk with a large map spread in front of him.  He studied Josef for an uncomfortably long time, the prefect's eyes were bright and sharp despite the his advanced age and Josef knew from past experience that the prefect's mind was even sharper.  Many people