Read Online Oracle (Book 5) by Ben Cassidy - Free Book Online

week or less. If they don’t, I suggest throwing a few cavalry troops over the border.” He poured a generous helping of wine into a goblet and gave Vladi a reassuring smile. “Not anything serious, mind you. Just enough to keep the threat real.”
    Vladi shook his head with a low whistle. “Remind me never to play poker with you, Mr. Maklavir.”
    Maklavir downed the glass of wine all in one go. “Used to be quite the card player in my youth. Not so much anymore.”
    Vladi nodded sympathetically. “The Despair has changed all of us, I’d wager. For better and worse.”
    Maklavir resisted the urge to reach again for the bottle. “That it has.” He turned to the nobleman. “Make sure those Merewithian nobles get safely back over the border. An escort would be in order, I would think.”
    “Of course.” Vladi grinned. “We’re lucky to have a diplomat of your caliber helping us out during all this chaos, Maklavir. When all this is said and done, I’ve no doubt the King will reward you handsomely for your efforts here.”
    Maklavir winced. “We’ll see,” he said darkly.
    Vladi turned and headed out the door to the room, almost bumping into a pretty young maid who was entering at the same moment. “Oh, excuse me, lass,” he said as he exited.
    The girl smiled shyly, then came over to the table that Maklavir was standing next to. “Take that glass for you, sir?”
    Maklavir returned the smile. “Thank you, yes. The bottle too, if you don’t mind. I feel like I could drain the whole thing if it stays.”
    The girl dipped her head, then took the glass and bottle. She paused uncertainly for a moment, her face blushing. “If…if there’s anything else you might be needing, sir, you only have to let me know.”
    Maklavir pulled a pocket watch out of his vest, glancing at the time. “That’s kind of you, but no.” He looked up at the girl with kind eyes. “I can just make afternoon prayer at the temple, if I hurry.”
    A flicker of disappointment showed in the girl’s eyes. She lowered her head. “As it pleases you, sir.”
    Maklavir pocketed the watch and turned for the door.
     
    The steps to the temple were crowded with worshippers exiting the building.
    Maklavir pulled his feathered cap down further onto his head. Winter was long gone, but here in Valmingaard spring still came slowly and with plenty of chill. Rain glistened on the stone steps of the temple, and dribbled down out of the gray sky above in a monotonous fashion.
    He reached the bottom of the steps, and glanced back behind him.
    The great temple of Vorten was still being repaired, and was covered with wooden scaffolding. It had suffered much during the firestorm that had consumed much of the city during the opening of the Void. Even now, the Plaza in front of the temple was mostly blackened from the fire and great heat that had devastated the area.
    Still, Vorten was rebuilding slowly but surely. With the war still on the work had been going at a snail’s pace, but the restoration of the dome-topped temple had become a symbol of Vorten’s recovery from ruin.
    Maklavir shivered in the cold drizzle that spattered down on his head and shoulders. He gave a heavy sigh, then turned away from the temple and back towards the street.
    Joseph was there, standing just ten feet away.
    Maklavir was taken aback for a moment. “ Joseph ? Great Eru, man, how long have you been standing there?”
    The bearded scout looked up at the towering temple. “Not long. Just a few minutes.”
    Maklavir came over to him. “I had no idea you were back in Vorten. It’s good to see you again, old chap.”
    Joseph nodded, but said nothing. He continued to stare up at the temple.
    Maklavir frowned. Joseph had always looked the part of a grizzled pathfinder, but he looked worse than usual. His beard was unkempt, shaggy and uneven. His face was stretched, his eyes weary and dark.
    And the man’s clothes were the worst of all. Sure, he had undoubtedly been spending a