Light of Epertase 01: Legends Reborn Read Online Free PDF Page B

as it was final. “I am sorry, friend. By the time I found out about your banishment and went to your home, it was too late. I made sure Edonea’s body was treated with respect and that she had a proper burial.”
    Rasi’s heart burned as though set afire. He rolled onto his knees, vomited, and clutched his chest. He pressed his palms against his face with a force that left red blotches on his skin.
    “Rasi, I know you didn’t do what they accuse you of.” Terik paused, maybe seeking validation but receiving none. “You cannot return to Epertase. Everyone is angry. They think you are a monster. King Cecil, himself, was devastated to hear of the charges against you. He didn’t want to believe it, but he had no choice. The evidence against you was staggering. Thasula’s citizens have called for your head but he went against the masses. He declared the barbaric armblade’s brutal execution of your wife as punishment enough. He declared your killing of him in self-defense and that you faced no additional charges. He called off the hunt for you and announced that, due to your loyal service, your death sentence was absolved. But he said you are never to set foot in the territories again.” Terik placed his hand on Rasi’s shoulder. “Old friend, go back home to Puimia. Hide with your parents. Live your life in peace.”
    You mean disgrace. Rasi’s mind flashed back to the empty, dead stare of the poor, murdered girl he was too weak to save. She deserves justice. No, I will stay here. These mountains are my life now. He nodded to his friend in agreement while staring at the floor.
    “Good. I will look you up in Puimia one day.”
    Rasi felt emptier than ever before.
    Hatred for the prince consumed him, keeping him warm through the bitter, lonely winter. He must do it right. He must take his time and plan with vigilance. Elijah would not be easy to get but it could be done.

C HAPTER 7

S CORNE
    Any thought of Rasi was little more than a bad memory by Elijah’s 31st birthday. To celebrate, Tevin treated him to a rare evening of drinking and gambling. By evening’s end, Elijah was up twelve coins and ready for more. They made their way deep into the city, seeking out more games of chance and suckers to swindle. It was late. Most of the citizens were safely tucked away in their homes with their families or their ale which made finding an active game more difficult.
    They happened across a sleazy, rundown tavern wearing a hand-painted sign that read “Arthur’s Dive,” with the “D” written backwards. While Tevin clearly understood the dive status of the bar, Elijah had consumed too much ale to care.
    Elijah plowed through the door as though everyone awaited his grand entrance. He counted five, six patrons at most in the dim shithole. A putrid stink lingered in the place like an outhouse.
    “My gods,” Elijah said, covering his nose. “What is that smell?”
    A man shouted from behind the bar, “You’ll get used to it.” Elijah didn’t want to get used to it. He scanned the bar and found no tender, only the massive back of a hulk-sized patron. “Pretty soon you won’t notice it at all,” the man continued and that’s when Elijah saw the top of a balding head from behind the bar.
    “Have a seat anywhere, hon,” a waitress hollered. “Be right with ya.”
    She leaned over and shook the shoulders of an unconscious man who lay supine atop a table. The drunkard’s gut protruded into the air like a whale stuck on the beach. He didn’t budge so she lowered her ear next to his mouth to confirm that he still drew breath. He mumbled something she must not have appreciated, most likely concerning her thick breasts pressing against his chest.
    She bounced back. “Don’t talk to me like that, dunghole,” she said, her language showing her class. She yanked the end of the table into the air, dumping the drunkard, along with several half-empty mugs, to the floor. He rolled to his side, unaffected, and began to