Scars of the Earth
Page 21
He moved cautiously towards the curious sight, and upon further inspection felt a weight lift off of his chest. His masters would be thrilled to see him return with this special delivery. His laps in judgment would be forgiven. Maybe he could even spin it so that it seemed like getting her was the reason he had fled.
Yes, that could work nicely. He thought. He crouched down, picking up the unconscious woman and pointed himself towards home, but stopped short in surprise.
“Sorry, not today.” Armaan said with a smile before planting his fist square between the run away guard’s eyes. He plucked Madgie from his arms before allowing the man to tumble over. Armaan strolled slowly over and gently laid her back into the thicket.
“Don’t worry old bird; I’ll be more thorough than Cole.” He said laying a concealment spell over her before tearing off after his friend.
Chapter 23
On their way out they stopped and got Madgie out of her hiding place. A flood of relief hit her. She felt guilty for not immediately wondering where she was when the boys showed up without her. But with all that was happening at the time she tried not to feel too bad. Shiphra told her that Madgie’s body just needed some time to rest and lots of fluids to make more blood. Amanda had expected Shiphra to wave her hand and make Madgie conscious, but there were some things that even an Ancient can’t do.
“Are you ready to see your new home?” Shiphra asked her.
“Who cares if she’s ready, I’m hungry lets go home already!” Armaan interjected. Amanda would have been annoyed at him but couldn’t bring herself to be while he cradled Madgie so sweetly in his arms.
“Before we do anything can I please ask you just one question?” She asked Shiphra.
“Ask away, I’m sure you’ll be doing nothing but asking questions for the rest of your life-if you’re smart.” Shiphra said turning towards her.
“Can you help me find Kaedin’s scar?” She asked hoping that Shiphra knew who Kaedin was. She didn’t wait long to answer but to Amanda it felt like a lifetime.
“Yes.”
Epilogue
Frey Stood at the edge of a crater, bubbling with rage.
“Ahhh!” He screamed and sent a dark orb ripping through a Guard member’s chest. The poor young boy of fourteen toppled over. Frey’s eyes took in the other members of the Guard, challenging them to say something. None did.
They’re scared. He thought happily. And more than usual. He had been angrier since his brother had gone missing. He tried to play it off as nothing but Armaan clever and careful as he was couldn’t completely hide his distaste for the Ancients, or the Guard. And he knew that if his brother was gone it was because he had wanted to run off and join his old friend Cole and the rest of the dissenters.
He looked back into the pit and jumped in. Kicking the flowers aside, he uncovered the black tar that was the remains of Elijah.
Did my brother help them do this? He wondered full of embarrassment. The Ancients wouldn’t look too happily at the brother of a dissenter. God damn it Armaan! He thought viscously. He took a knee trying to compose himself and studied the dark earth. He reached down and slowly ran the tips of his fingers across the thick tar. He turned the blackened finger tips towards him, inspecting the strange dark matter. It was then that he noticed it.
He was frozen in place gazing at his hand before movement at the lip of the hole caught his eye.
“Everything okay boss?” Chet asked nervously. Frey smiled and picked a large vibrant peony. The rich crimson of the flower reflected off of his exposed teeth staining them an eerie red. He brought it to his nose and inhaled deeply.
“Oh everything is more than okay.” He said triumphantly. He stood up letting the flower fall from his palm, which bore a strange but familiar mark.