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Everything Begins Chapter 23
“Have you never ridden a horse before?”“No. Please do not let me fall, Ga’briyel.”“I would never let you fall. Just place your hands on the back of the saddle. Hold on tightly, but do not tense up. Relax and enjoy the ride. We are not going far tonight, just another hour or so. You will be fine.”With that, Frank heeled Kumar to a walk and started upstream to join Dinton and Tero.“What do you think they are talking about?”“Home, probably. Although, Sophyra looks a couple of years younger than him, so I wonder how much she actually remembers about their village. After all, he was only six when he left.”Dinton and Tero were tending to last meal as Frank and Sophyra sat together on the ground about fifty paces away, out of earshot of the others. They had traveled upstream for about an hour until the light failed to the point of danger if they continued. They had made camp, and Frank had helped Sophyra down from the horse.“Are you all right?” he had asked when he saw her grimace as
Everything Begins Chapter 24
She took his hand and stood. When he tried to release it, however, she clung tightly to him. They walked to the fire where Dinton and Tero were lounging, Tero whittling again.“About time,” Dinton said. “There’s stew left in the pot for you two.”“Thank you, my friend,” Frank said and then he frowned.Sophyra had tensed and was standing slightly behind him, her eyes on the ground, her grip on his hand almost painful.“Sophyra, they will not harm you, either. Dinton and Tero are my friends, and they are good men. You have no reason to be afraid anymore.”He pulled her forward and put his arm around her shoulder. Tero put down his wood and knife and stood up. Frank felt Sophyra start to shake, but he held her firmly, and she stiffened in surprise when Tero knelt before her, his open hand on his heart.“I swear my life to you, lady,” he said, his eyes on hers. “I will give my life before I let anyone harm you.”Not to be outdone, Dinton joined him. “I also pledge my life to you. I will
Everything Begins Chapter 25
“What about my revenge on the Asabya?”Another low chuckle came from the glow that was once again over the river. “Take it if you wish. Go to Grama as you had planned. As I said, the Asabya are indeed evil, and if you wish to rid the world of them, do so. Just know that they are a minor evil compared to what you will encounter soon.”Frank wanted to ask more, but the glow disappeared, and he was left standing on the riverbank staring out across the water. He growled softly, spun on his heel, and stormed back to the camp. When he got there, he stopped. Dinton had put his sword away and was waking Tero for his turn at the watch. The older man climbed to his feet, rolled up his blanket, and glanced over at Sophyra before putting more wood on the fire. As Dinton settled in to sleep, Tero grabbed his whittling and sat down where Dinton had been. Frank frowned when neither of the men saw him, and he walked back to Sophyra. He grabbed his blanket from where it had fallen and wrapped it aroun
Everything Begins Chapter 26
"Thank Yisu! Tonight we get a bath and a bed and a decent meal.”“And just what is wrong with my cooking?” Tero asked.“Nothing, but you have to admit that with supplies running low, today’s midmeal was a little lean. I am yearning for a mahisa steak with potatoes and fresh vegetables dripping with butter.” He grinned. “But first, a long, hot bath.”Tero laughed. “All right,” he conceded, “even I have to admit that sounds good.”Frank and Sophyra said nothing. They were riding slightly ahead of the other two, and neither of them were in the mood for light banter. They were both trying to think of anything but what had consumed them for the last two days.For his part, Frank was trying to ignore the heat coming from Sophyra. He knew what it meant, and he was not sure how much longer he was going to be able to ignore the fire that was building up between them. At the same time, she was thinking of him. During their ride north, she had had the opportunity to admire him without him notici
Everything Begins Chapter 27
"My lady, sir, my name is Eneith.” She gestured to a pile of fabric on the bed. “My husband told me you needed some proper clothing, my lady, and—” here she glanced at Sophyra’s current garments—“I must say I agree. Those are not what such a beautiful lady should be wearing.” She glanced at Frank with a small smile. “Please take no offense, sir.”Frank cocked his head and studied her curiously. “I am not offended, Eneith, but may I ask you a question?”“Of course, sir.”“I am very good at reading people, and I know for a fact that those villagers downstairs are terrified of something, but I do not get the same thing from you. Why is that?”Eneith’s smile immediately turned into a scowl. “Cowards! They are all scared that if they say anything against Kardag, they will end up like Masym. The greedy fool tried to steal from the man and got caught. If you ask me, he got what he deserved.”“Death?” Frank said. “Is that not a little harsh for stealing?”“Depends on what he tried to steal, d
Everything Begins Chapter 28
"What was that all about?” Tero said, worry evident on his face.“I think I just met Kardag,” Frank said as he moved back to his seat. “He said he was going to kill us tonight.”“You talked to him? How is that possible?”Frank just gave Tero a look as he sat that said he should not have to ask that question. The sensual heat he had been feeling from Sophyra had been completely replaced with prickly fear.“It is not going to happen, Sophyra. I will protect you, I promise.”“How, Ga’briyel? If what Eneith says is true, he can kill without leaving any evidence, and he makes people just disappear.”He took her hand and rubbed his thumb along the back. “There is a lot you do not know about me. Believe me when I say that he cannot hurt me.” He looked at his men. “Dinton, Tero, watch yourselves and Sophyra tonight. He can hurt you.” He stood up and moved toward the door. He had almost reached it when Sophyra laid her hand on his arm. He looked down at her. “What is it?”She dropped her eyes
Everything Begins Chapter 29
Thrust and parry, strike and block, spin and step and dance. The fight continued for several minutes, and then Frank managed to make contact. The point of his sword barely scratched Kardag’s upper arm, but the Daitya let out a sharp hiss, once more reminding Frank of a serpent. Blood welled up on the pale skin revealed through the cut robes, but the blood was not red; it was black.“You will pay for that, boy! Enough playing around. It is time for you to die!”Kardag’s strikes abruptly increased in speed and accuracy, and Frank was forced backward toward the center of the room as his sword flashed in the candlelight. It was exactly where he did not want to go, but he had no choice. Kardag’s attack was designed to steer him in that direction, and he had no chance to go elsewhere. The strikes were coming too fast.His right foot collided with one of the unconscious villagers, and he stumbled briefly before regaining his balance. It was enough, however, and the pain that filled him when
Everything Begins Chapter 30
"Bride of a troll!” he muttered as he stuck his finger in his mouth, tasting ash mixed with blood. “Nothing like a sliced finger to start the day off right.” He picked up the sword and walked toward the door, breathing easier when he made it outside. When he got back to the room, neither Tero nor Sophyra had moved, and he carefully cleaned the sword, although there did not seem to be any blood on it, only a light dusting of dark gray ash, and slid it into its scabbard on Ga’briyel’s hip. As he did so, he pulled on the coat covering Ga’briyel’s chest, and it fell to the floor.“Tero, look!”The two men gaped at what they saw. The wound was already starting to heal. Before their eyes, the rotting flesh grew pink and healthy, and the gaping cut slowly came together, starting at both ends and moving toward the middle.“Yisu be praised,” Tero whispered, and then he spoke louder. “Sophyra, wake up! You have to see this!”Her head snapped up, and she looked around the room in confusion. Dint
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- Everything Begins
Chapter 123
"I am fine, Frank, but I am very hungry." She smiled up at him. "Just like you always are."He frowned and ran his hand over her hair. "Not always, Sophyra. Not after the Dirack." He took her hand and led her out of the room, shutting the door behind them to let his son sleep. They went down to the main room, and Frank eyes went wide when he saw Telantes sitting at the bar talking with Luija."Telantes, my friend. Why are you here?" Frank kept his arm around his wife but walked up to the Debaduta and clasped his forearm."I am here to tell you where you are to go next, Frank."With a skeptical look, Frank eyed his friend and tightened his grip. "Why did Yisu not just tell me Himself like before? Why are you really here?"Grinning sheepishly, Telantes released the Sainika's forearm. "That is one reason, Ga'briyel. I cannot lie; you know this. But there is a second reason. You and your family..." The spirit looked at Sophyra. "I hear congratulations are in order again, Sophyra. Another
- Everything Begins
Chapter 122
"He is dead!" he announced, and the soldiers carried him into the same room as his supposed victim and laid him on the floor. Captain Panakari followed them, shooed them out of the room, and shut the door. "You can get up now, Captain Mistri." Frank opened his eyes, took his sword belt from the other captain, and stretched with a smile before strapping it around his waist. "There is a back way out of this room, Captain, but you must make your way to your inn on your own. Try not to let anyone see you, or they will know I lied, and then I will find myself in the noose."Frank held out his hand, and the other clasped his forearm firmly. "Thank you, Captain. I appreciate everything you have done for me tonight. Please know that everything I did was for the good of your people. They may not understand that, but it was. My family and I will be gone in the morning." He followed Captain Panakari to the door in the back of the room, and after it was unlocked, slipped out into the darkness of
- Everything Begins
Chapter 121
"Benefits of being friends with a Debaduta, daemon!" Then Frank stopped talking, swung his sword, and began the deadliest dance known to man with the daemon in front of him. Dolsaya's eyes went wide, and he tried to flee, but Frank was too quick, and soon the daemon was backed up against his storefront. With a single swipe, Frank removed the daemon's head from his shoulders, and with several others, dismembered it. Then he turned to the daemon behind him and resumed the dance. It seemed as if it only took a few minutes before Kaysaya's head was rolling along the middle of the street, caught in a rut formed by hundreds of carriage wheels, but when Frank had hacked the third daemon to pieces, he realized that it was dark, his muscles ached, and he stank like rubbish that had been sitting in the summer sun for a moon. He looked around and was surprised to see several people standing on the wooden walkways watching him. Most had torches, and he walked to one, grabbed his torch, and applie
- Everything Begins
Chapter 120
Adama grinned and slid out of their bed. He went to the chest of drawers and pulled out a white linen shirt, black breeches, and a red coat. He dressed himself quickly, and then looked at his parents expectantly. "Come, Baba," he said, excitement flowing from him and covering Ga'briyel, as he held out his tiny hand to his father.With a smile, Frank stood, held out his hand to Sophyra, who took it and joined him, and then took his son's hand in his. They went to the main room where Luija already had first meal on the table. The Debaduta was standing by their table, a worried look on his face."Are you sure about this, Ga'briyel? It will be dangerous at the docks. Two of the daemons have shops there, after all.""How did you know?" Sophyra asked him. Luija just looked at her, and she nodded. "Yisu told you, yes?""Of course He did, and I do not think this is a wise move to make, Sainika. The daemons will be waiting for you to bring your family out of the inn. I have a very bad feeling
- Everything Begins
Chapter 119
“Nor should you, my child.” Frank looked at his son, forced his eyes to dim, and smiled. He sat down next to Sophyra on the bench she had chosen, pulled her close, and kissed her softly. “Later, my heart.” He groaned softly when her heat almost smothered him. “Please, Sophyra, stop. Not now.”She rested her hand on his thigh and began to trace small circles on it. “I will try, my love, but it will be difficult knowing what you have planned for later.” She smiled coyly at him as Luija entered the room with a platter full of food. He set it on the table, smiled at Ga’briyel, and spoke softly.“I would love to speak with your son later on, Sainika. I think we could speak together for several hours. You and your wife could retire early to your room, I think, if you would like that.”Grinning and letting his eyes flare once, Frank answered, “I would like that very much, Luija, thank you. I was going to ask you if you would watch him for a while.”“Watch him? There would be no watching, Ga’
- Everything Begins
Chapter 118
“It is, but they know you are here, and they will block your ability to sense them. I will do my best to help you find them, but I am at risk if I leave this building, as well. I do not wish to be banished, and so I generally stay here. They know of me, of course, but there is nothing they can do about it.” Luija came around the bar, gestured over his shoulder, and walked toward the hallway that led off to the right of the main room. “I assume you would prefer a ground-level room, Sainika?”Frank did not move. “Why would you assume that, Debaduta?”The man smiled as he turned to face his newest boarders. “Stairs can slow you down if you need to leave the inn quickly, Sainika.”“Nevertheless, I would prefer a room above ground. Stairs may slow me down a bit, but I do not want anyone to be able to reach our room while we sleep. I will not risk my family like that, Luija. They are my life, and if I lose them, I cannot be responsible for what will happen.”Luija frowned at that last state
- Everything Begins
Chapter 117
There were several villages through which they rode where Frank and Sophyra were given distasteful glares when adults saw the tiny boy riding alone on the large bay, but while Sophyra took each look to heart, Frank ignored them completely. He could not ignore Adama’s innocent question the first time it happened, however.“Baba, why is everyone so angry?”“What do you mean, my son?”“When we enter a town, people stare at me as if they are angry.”Frank smiled. “They are not used to seeing such a small boy riding alone without support. They do not understand that you are not like other boys, Adama, and they disapprove of what they do not understand.”“I could make them understand, Baba. May I try, please?”With a shrug, Frank acquiesced. “You may try, Adama, but I do not believe you will have much success.”They had stopped at the first inn they had come to, having been in the saddle and sleeping on the ground for the past four days and nights, and Frank dropped from his saddle, helped
- Everything Begins
Chapter 116
"A fool am I?" Frank snarled. "And what is it that makes me a fool, Daitya?"The man laughed. "Anyone is a fool who tries to fight Sayatan and his sons."Ga'bryel grinned, but if a human had seen that grin, they would have screamed. "And yet I have killed three of his sons already, Daitya. Dismembered, they are rotting away as we speak, never to come together again. Soon they will be only bones." He shrugged as if it mattered not a bit to him. "I assume their souls are gone as well. That is what Telantes told me."At the name of the Debaduta, every Daitya recoiled. "That interfering spirit!" the spokesman said with a snarl. "He has been far too involved in your life, Sainika. Sayatan will deal with him in time. We may be able to banish him for a year or so, but Sayatan can destroy him as easily as you can destroy us.""Speaking of," Frank said, taking a step closer to the Daitya and readying his sword, "I am going to destroy you all right now.""You would fight unarmed men?""You are
- Everything Begins
Chapter 115
Unknown to the kosmar, Frank was fighting her in his mind. When she stripped him and herself bare, he battled with the vision of her and forced himself not to react. Devina noticed this and growled softly. She tried everything she could to stimulate the Anmah, but he struggled through it all and kept Sophyra in the forefront of his mind. With his wife's face emblazoned on his subconsciousness, he was able to resist everything Devina did to him. She became more and more frustrated as time went on, and then Frank slowly became aware of a voice in his mind.Baba! Wake up! Fight her, Baba!At that, Frank opened his eyes, and Devina jerked away from him. When he slowly stood, she backpedaled until she was against the door of the room. "How?" she asked softly."My family," Frank said quietly. "They protect me. Even from myself sometimes." He walked toward the kosmar until his sword's tip was at her throat, and then he grinned without humor. Devina's eyes went wide, and she raised her hands
