The Mists of Sorrow: The Morcyth Saga Book Seven Read Online Free PDF Page A

Canceling
the orb, he begins to drift into sleep.
    Just before he completely succumbs to sleep,
the tingling of magic comes to him. Alarmed, he grabs his slug belt
and hurries out the door. The cry to Miko dies on his lips when he
finds one of the members of the Hand of Asran outside his door, a
soft green glow about him.
    “Rest peacefully,” the priest tells him. “I
shall watch tonight.”
    “Uh,” stammers James, slightly embarrassed
for running out into the hallway in his small clothes, “thanks.”
Ducking back into his room, he closes the door and returns to bed.
Chuckling at the mental picture of himself in the hallway, he’s
able to drift off to sleep.

    Later in the night, a guard is walking the
battlements when a green light appears in the sky and falls to a
point to the east. He’s seen many falling stars, but none of that
color. Making the sign against evil he pulls his coat tighter
around himself and continues his watch.

Chapter Two
_________________________

    The following morning James rises with the
sun. Quickly getting dressed, he buckles on his slug belt and
throws his pack over his shoulder. Leaving his room, he meets Miko
in the hallway as he’s leaving the room next to his.
    “Ready?”
    Closing the door, Miko nods. “Yes. The cook
should have breakfast ready when we get there.”
    James grins at that, Miko had always been
one who liked to eat. It’s a marvel he’s not fat. Walking side by
side, they follow the aroma of fresh baked bread to the dining area
where everyone else has already arrived and begun to eat.
    Moving through the morning diners, James
makes his way to the table where Illan sits. Ceadric is there as
well and he takes the seat to his right.
    “Good morning all,” he says as he sits down.
No more than a moment elapses before a server comes with a plate of
tubers and boiled beef from the Empire’s store of goods. This
fortress had been well stocked with all the necessities by the
Empire before it fell. Illan isn’t going to have to worry about
resupplying for at least a month.
    Illan nods as he sits down and says, “Looks
like you will have fair weather for travel.”
    “The road north is clear,” adds Ceadric.
“Reports say the only Empire forces in Madoc are those currently
locked in battle with our armies.”
    “That’s good to know,” he says as he digs
into the food.
    “Be careful anyway,” warns Ceadric. “You
never know.”
    “We will,” he replies.
    It’s a somber mood among the companions,
each knowing that when the meal is over most will head north while
others stay behind. Even Scar and Potbelly are subdued. They’re
going to miss the rivalry they have enjoyed with Jorry and Uther.
The four of them sit off to the side and every once in awhile one
or the other raises their voices in good natured scoffing. The fact
that it is only once in awhile and not a constant series of
outbursts reveals how melancholy they are about their impending
separation.
    The meal finally comes to a close and the
companions make their way to the courtyard where several Raiders
have already prepared horses for travel. As the others mount, Delia
comes to Illan and gives him a hug. “Your Alaina would have been
proud by the way things have turned out for you,” she tells
him.
    A slight tear comes to his eye as he
replies, “Yes. I think she would.” He helps her into the saddle and
then turns to James. “There will be fresh horses waiting for you on
your return.”
    “I appreciate that,” he says from the back
of his horse. “Expect us in a week.”
    Illan grins. “If you make the trip in a week
you will definitely need other steeds.”
    “Good luck to you all,” Ceadric says. To the
sides of the courtyard, all the Raiders stand at attention in
respect for those who are leaving.
    Once everyone is mounted and ready, James
salutes Illan smartly and then turns toward the gate. Making their
way out from the keep, he can’t help but glance back one more time
to the