Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF

long, slow breath. He tried to move his body. Pain shot through his arthritic joints. Weak, flabby muscles refused to move. Nor could he open his eyes. In despair, he stopped fighting his paralysis and listened to his surroundings.
    Hoofbeats echoed on a stone floor, accompanied by the sound of wagon wheels and the marching of men. Maybe about twenty? Not that he could separate the footsteps, but the noise seemed like more soldiers than had escorted him before. The sound echoed around him instead of drifting away into the desert, making him think they rolled through an enclosed space.
    Even the quality of the air on his face had changed. Instead of the arid breeze that parched moisture from his body, the air lay heavier on him, with a hint of coolness. We must be in the guarded tunnel under the cliffs, leading from the desert to Zacatlan. Thaddis couldn’t help the clenching of his stomach at the thought of what, or rather, Who awaited him.
    The party came to an abrupt halt. Thaddis could hear an exchange from the front of the convoy, but couldn’t make out the words.
    The marching steps resumed. With a jolt, the wagon followed, taking a sharp turn to the right, and then rolled to a stop.
    Through his eyelids, the light seemed brighter. Thaddis inhaled the faintest fragrance of citrusy incense. The scent gave a slight lift to his spirits.
    They waited for a while, no one moving. Then he heard the sound of footsteps coming from the opposite direction. They stopped near what must be the beginning of his convoy.
    “I’m Captain Boerk,” a new voice spoke up. “From Ocean’s Glory.”
    Thaddis recognized Boerk’s name. He’d been one of the soldiers Thaddis led into the desert chasing after the princess of Seagem. How did Boerk become a captain?
    “We’re escorting Thaddis,” Boerk continued, “son of our beloved King Stevenes, to the hall of the Goddess Guinheld.”
    No longer Prince. No longer King . While the loss of his title stung, the pain of remembering why was a soul-deep agony that would never go away. Even a healing Goddess wouldn’t be able to tolerate him. Her followers would probably lock him away. He’d go mad long before his aging body gave out.
    “Welcome, Captain.” A different voice spoke in cool, calm tones. “I am Archpriest Devore. Here are my assistants, Priest Taton and Wenda, a priestess of Yadarius.”
    “Yadarius?” The captain said, a note of relief in the word.
    “Yes, Captain Boerk,” said the priestess from Seagem, her voice echoing with sadness. “Right before the fall of the Temple, Archpriest Caifed ordered us through Guinheld’s window. We tried to get as many of Seagem’s people through first, so only a small number of the priests and priestesses escaped in time.”
    “I’m more sorry than I can express, Priestess Wenda,” Captain Boerk said. “For what happened to Seagem. My participation in those actions will forever be a stain on my soul. I will spend my life in perpetual atonement.”
    “I hope you and your men will find healing and peace here in Zacatlan,” the sad-voiced priestess said.
    “Please, lift Thaddis from the wagon,” Archpriest Devore commanded. “Then take him through that door and lay him on the bench.”
    Thaddis felt rough hands seize his limbs and lift him, carrying his body a few paces before lowering him onto a cool hard surface.
    “Thank you, Captain,” Devore said. “Your men are welcome to bathe, change to appropriate garments, and eat. Tomorrow, you’ll start your studies.”
    “Our studies?”
    “No one stays idle in Zacatlan.”
    Was there a trace of humor in the Archpriest’s words?
    “You must follow our way of life until your duty is finished. And…” The Archpriest’s voice trailed off. “As you know, our country is one of peace. We have our guards of course, but we are not prepared to face a battle. Counselor Ogan has assured Archpriestess Rodna that you’ll help train our guards and all who wish to learn to defend