The Book of Deacon: Book 02 - The Great Convergence (58 page)

Deacon and Myranda rushed to the edge of the
town. There, Lain had discovered the horses that they had ridden in
on and loaded Ivy onto the back of one. Ether was atop the other,
and clearly out of her element.

"The sheer idiocy of using one body to
control another . . . " she muttered as she struggled to determine
how to guide the horse.

"I'll guide the horse, you ride behind me,"
Myranda said, climbing to the saddle as Ether grudgingly
agreed.

Deacon climbed to the saddle of the mount
that Ivy had been entrusted to. In truth, he displayed nearly as
much difficulty handling the steed as Ether, but he managed, and a
moment later the group as a whole was off, Lain trailing slightly
behind on foot. The clearing clouds were shedding the light of the
rising sun upon them, and they could ill afford to be seen. Worse,
the rain that had spared the town and offered the means of striking
down Epidime had soaked the heroes to the bone. In the bitter cold
of the north, that was a swift road to death. Shelter would have to
be found, and fast.

After nearly an hour shelter was indeed found
in the form of a dense stand of trees tucked in a slight valley.
Wood was gathered, a fire was started, Ether quickly took advantage
of it, and in short order Lain had managed to track down enough
prey to provide a meal. As warmth slowly returned to frost nipped
limbs and it became clear that, for now at least, they had not been
followed, Ether could hold her tongue no longer.

"Explain yourself," she ordered.

Myranda stared pensively at the ground.

"I think perhaps Myranda needs a few moments.
I would be happy to . . . " Deacon offered helpfully.

"Are you a Chosen one?" Ether asked.

"I am not, but . . . " Deacon attempted to
explain.

"Then do not speak in our presence. Myranda,
answer," Ether again demanded.

"It was for nothing . . . " Myranda said,
shaking her head.

"What are you mumbling about?" Ether snapped,
unaccustomed to being so blatantly ignored.

"He was just a man!" Myranda replied angrily
through clenched teeth, tears in her eyes. "Arden and Epidime were
not one and the same! I killed the man, but Epidime still lives. I
killed him for nothing!
Nothing!"

"The weapon, a halberd. It would appear it
houses some manner of entity. It was this entity that was your foe.
This Arden fellow was merely the host," Deacon explained.

Lain watched from the other side of the fire,
a knowing look in his eye.

"I've never taken the life of a human before.
Never. And now I do so and it achieves nothing. That poor man had
to die because I was too foolish to see the truth," she continued,
her voice quivering.

"Yes, yes. I am sure it appears to you to be
a terrible tragedy, but save your emotions for another time," Ether
dismissed. "I require an answer."

"At the risk of angering you further, my
esteemed Chosen, I feel that perhaps I could indulge your curiosity
while Myranda-" Deacon attempted.

"I've warned you once," Ether stated
sternly.

"It's alright. I owe them an explanation,"
Myranda said numbly.

And so she began to recount the tale, a tale
that it is my great hope shall find its way to you as well. It
begins where the others believed that Myranda's life had ended, in
the lowest level of Demont's personal menagerie. Had I the
strength, I would not rest until every last word was recorded. But
alas, the years weigh heavily upon me. You have my word. When next
my stylus is put to work, all that remains will be revealed. The
truth is too important to be lost to the ages.

###

Discover other titles by Joseph R. Lallo at
Smashwords.com:

The Book of Deacon Trilogy

Book 1: The Book of Deacon -
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/9354

Book 3: The Battle of Verril -
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/45617

Other stories in the same setting:

Jade -
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/25151

Science Fiction Titles:

Bypass Gemini -
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/57468

Contact Information

Website:
http://www.bookofdeacon.com
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Twitter: @jrlallo

Email: [email protected]