Darkin: A Journey East Read Online Free PDF

as I can tell from your beliefs. Grelion is the king of this country, along with everything save that which lies east of the great Kalm Ocean. Of course, under his absolute leadership are many lesser servants, but alas, he is the only true Lord.”
    “Where does he call his home? I will kill him, I swear, I shall run right into his home and cut his throat! To think, that there is but one person to blame for all the slavery and death—we must have his head.”
    “Ah, but you have so much to learn still, boy. Grelion is nowhere near this country. Like a true coward, he hides away from the land he rules over, and his exact location I’m not sure you could discover even if you had all the flying spies of Darkin. But his stench grows closer every day—I can sense his dementia ascending over our skies every night, his greed devouring our happiness. But enough talk of the sorrowful things we cannot yet change; we ought to have a proper meal first. Afterwards, we can discuss the fate of the world,” Krem said, quieting as he stood from his chair near the cave wall. He walked away to the far right corner of the cave, toward a room that was cut from the rock—hopefully the dining area, Adacon thought. “Come along,” the old hermit called back.
    “I’m sorry, but I seem to be of a clouded mind right now, you are the first friendly presence I have known in a long time,” Adacon said, trotting up to reach Krem.
    “And not the last, let’s pray. Now have a seat, and a bit of patience, young lad, it is time to be remedied of your hunger.”
     
    *                  *                 *
     
    The dining hall was filled with splendid aromas of all sorts. Adacon sat himself at a table that was carved from the rock floor awaiting food, all the while being seduced by the growing smells. Finally, out walked the colorful little man Krem, effortlessly carrying two plates, each overflowing with food. There was bread and fresh cooked meat, along with fresh vegetables and fruit. Adacon was in heaven. This is no stale slave food, he thought jovially. He relished in the thought for another moment, and then realized that the food was now laid out before him on the table. Violently, he began to eat as fast as possible.
    “Ow!” Adacon wailed. With a painful thud suddenly impacting his back, he stopped eating and looked up in agony. Krem had throttled him with his marble staff, and was now calmly watching the slave.
    “Do you not release selfishness and greed before you eat? Ah, well, you should, rather than live this journey in greed, eh? Be settled for me to make a moment of some gratefulness, dear boy,” Krem said passively. He began to speak again in a moment, this time in a gentler tone. “All of Darkin assembles before the great force of Gaigas, that the righteous fruits of this land may usher in a new serenity, renewing the circle of life whilst ridding the demons that haunt good men. I ask that you, Gaigas, Great Spirit of existence, unite our life with yours, as we thank you for these graces.” There was a moment of silence after Krem’s homage, and Adacon sat unmoving, unsure of what to do.
    “Eat man,” shouted Krem. So Adacon returned to his feeding frenzy, and he ate and ate until he felt his burst.
     
    “Ah, this has been quite some meal, Krem, if I do say so,” said Adacon in a humorous tone; he had finished off close to a full bottle of Krem’s precious wine. Krem did not seem affected by his wine, and he thought for a second that maybe he and Krem were having different drinks.
    “So what of this bastard—Grelion, you said was his name? We must find him immediately!” Adacon blurted out, returning his quest to mind, and spewing out the first thoughts that pertained to it.
    “Do not be foolish boy. Should you attempt even another two leagues beyond my door, I do not give you half a chance at survival,” Krem uttered, although it didn’t affect Adacon’s confidence.
    “We must