Read Online Aphrodite's Acolyte by J.E. Spatafore - Free Book Online Page A

members and a few slapped Fidel on his back and wished him a welcome home. Fidel grinned in appreciation at his comrades. They started to set up camp just outside the Puldechran forest. When the camp was finally set up by the group, about half an hour of moonlight remained.
    Fardicus called Fidel to another meeting. Fidel entered Fardicus' tent and noticed no chair to sit in. Fardicus smiled at Fidel, “The chair is outside with its twin, on a wagon, facing east. This is your memory, and I intend to share it with you should you allow it.” Fidel smiled wide and embraced Fardicus with a hug, thanking him for the gesture. Fardicus slapped Fidel on the back and they both headed out to enjoy the sunrise together.
    The sun rose slowly over the eastern horizon, casting light on the desert and burning away the darkness with every passing minute. Fidel turned around and watched the trees come alive with the morning sun glistening from the morning dew. He turned again and watched the brown desert sands also glisten as the light reflected off the burned silica chips. Never once had Fidel witnessed a scene of burned desert and lively trees being revived by the morning sun. He took in the view for a few hours, enjoying the peaceful congruence of nature. Fardicus, sitting beside Fidel the whole time, lived the fresh moment vicariously through the elf's eyes.
    A dark dressed feminine figure walked toward the caravan from the desert. Fidel and Fardicus both saw the woman approach, quickly gaining ground on them. After a few minutes, Abigail stood before Fidel and Fardicus, tired and sweating from the final miles of the desert travel. She gave a passive glance at the captain. Fardicus started scrutinizing this human female standing before him.
    Abigail looked at Fidel. “Is there water waiting?”
    Fidel smiled wide and looked at Fardicus, who was still intently staring at Abigail. Fidel announced the arrival of his “scry”.
    Fardicus snapped his fingers and jumped up, pointing at Abigail. “I know you! Remove your mask, woman!”
    Abigail took a defensive posture to Fardicus, facing him directly and reaching up to her face, her right hand resting on the dagger at her side. She pulled her mask off her head. Her black eyes were staring coldly at Fardicus as she exposed the scar running from her left ear to the left corner of her small and feminine mouth.
    Fardicus' expression of surprise quickly turned to a threatening stare. “Yes, I do remember you." Fardicus turned to Fidel. "Fidel, this woman, if she should be called such, is a perfect example of the second chance we have spoken of. She has half a decade of history stealing from and thieving from us merchants along the roads of Mirater. That scar of hers. Well, she can tell the tale before I do. Do you care to explain, thief?” Fardicus sternly folded his arms in front of him.
    Fidel stared at Abigail, paying attention to her delicate skin and beautiful face. Somehow, the large scar enhanced her features instead of detracted from them. Fidel, knowing Abigail to already have proven her worthiness in his eyes, put both hands out in a non-concerning gesture and told Abigail to just tell him the story.
    Abigail explained her life as a thief on the roads from Harlow's Hovel to the eastern cities of Marisali and Marides. As she told her tale, Fidel kept giving her water and offered some food, often visually scolded by Fardicus when doing so. Abigail finally got to the part of the scar. She recounted the day when she got caught by the local authorities in Marisali while trying to steal some jewels from the local jewel-master. She had two accomplices.
    The subsequent interrogation was rough and she finally exposed her accomplices whereabouts to the authorities. Shortly after doing so, she was able to escape the prison and headed out to warn her friends of the impending doom. When she arrived at their hideout, one of her friends were already dead as well as four of the city guards. Her