Read Online Aphrodite's Acolyte by J.E. Spatafore - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: J.E. Spatafore
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companion, a dwarf male named Balomes Transigo was missing in action.
When she was ready to leave, the dwarf surprised her and gave her a beating so bad she could barely move. He then ran his axe blade down her face from her left ear to her left lip as a reminder to never cross him again.
Fidel considered the story. After a few minutes, he only had one question. “Abigail, I must ask you. Have you stolen since that day?”
Abigail looked up at Fidel and Fardicus, a glimpse of guilt in her eyes. “Yes. I have stolen food to get by. Many times I desired what others had, such as your magical pack or the trinkets in the windows of the stores I have passed. But this scar reminds me of a life I do not wish to return to. Only food have I stolen when hunting does not suffice.”
Fidel thought for a second, considering the life of Abigail Lapillus. Fardicus eased his stance and sat down, also considering her life since her thieving days.
Fidel stared at Fardicus. “I believe we should forgive Abigail for her past crimes. She has turned her life around. My judgment, if that is what you ask for, is that she is forgiven. I believe in this quite strongly. I am willing to leave the caravan to travel by her side the remaining way to Puldechra.”
Fardicus scratched his bearded chin, considering Fidel's words. Fardicus nodded. “I agree Fidel. I'm liking your concept of second chances and non-lethal ends. Carry on with your new acquaintance, she is welcome to stay or go as she pleases the rest of the way.”
Fardicus smiled at Abigail. “Welcome to the group.” Fardicus stood up and offered his chair to Abigail, then headed to the camp to inform everybody this was a day of rest to do with as they pleased.
Abigail and Fidel headed out of camp to walk through the outlying trees of Puldechra. They connected through the stories of Fidel's second mother, a master thief from the town of Marides by the name of Framan. A name Abigail recognized, although she had never met her.
Abby shared stories of her many heists. She shared how she did not care for the killing done when having to defend oneself from the punishments of their victims. She described the thieving community as a group of self-serving individuals with no sense of loyalty, neither to cause nor to fellowship. She shed a few tears as she explained her exploits and the many friends she had lost on her path. She showed Fidel some of her potions and poisons, her specialty developed while a child and enhanced through her thefts of rare goods.
Fidel's stories were different. He was never forced to fight his way free from being punished. His thefts were more indirect and discreet. His mother only brought him on burglaries where there was a low chance of being caught, but required lookouts. He explained how Framan taught him to pick locks, disarm traps, and sneak through crowded rooms. He demonstrated the palm walk, as his mother called it, which consisted of crouching and stepping on the tops of the hands, using the palms of the hands to reduce the noise of each step. The two carried on conversation while walking and enjoying the green Puldechran scenery for hours, occasionally running into a local and inquiring about the region.
The stories turned toward why Fidel was coming back to Puldechra. He pulled the scroll out from his birth parents and shared it with Abby. To much enjoyment, Abby read the scroll aloud. The added tone, pitch, cadence, and the lovely sound of Abby's voice enhanced the meaning of the letter from his parents.
Abby requested to continue in Fidel's company, Fidel answering he naturally expected such to happen. They both realized then, the formal wall of their relationship was now removed, and their time together will be as friends. Not one of them had station above the other. They were equals.
The sun crested the highest point in the sky and started its decline into the west, beginning its retreat behind the high forests of Puldechra. The pair made their
When she was ready to leave, the dwarf surprised her and gave her a beating so bad she could barely move. He then ran his axe blade down her face from her left ear to her left lip as a reminder to never cross him again.
Fidel considered the story. After a few minutes, he only had one question. “Abigail, I must ask you. Have you stolen since that day?”
Abigail looked up at Fidel and Fardicus, a glimpse of guilt in her eyes. “Yes. I have stolen food to get by. Many times I desired what others had, such as your magical pack or the trinkets in the windows of the stores I have passed. But this scar reminds me of a life I do not wish to return to. Only food have I stolen when hunting does not suffice.”
Fidel thought for a second, considering the life of Abigail Lapillus. Fardicus eased his stance and sat down, also considering her life since her thieving days.
Fidel stared at Fardicus. “I believe we should forgive Abigail for her past crimes. She has turned her life around. My judgment, if that is what you ask for, is that she is forgiven. I believe in this quite strongly. I am willing to leave the caravan to travel by her side the remaining way to Puldechra.”
Fardicus scratched his bearded chin, considering Fidel's words. Fardicus nodded. “I agree Fidel. I'm liking your concept of second chances and non-lethal ends. Carry on with your new acquaintance, she is welcome to stay or go as she pleases the rest of the way.”
Fardicus smiled at Abigail. “Welcome to the group.” Fardicus stood up and offered his chair to Abigail, then headed to the camp to inform everybody this was a day of rest to do with as they pleased.
Abigail and Fidel headed out of camp to walk through the outlying trees of Puldechra. They connected through the stories of Fidel's second mother, a master thief from the town of Marides by the name of Framan. A name Abigail recognized, although she had never met her.
Abby shared stories of her many heists. She shared how she did not care for the killing done when having to defend oneself from the punishments of their victims. She described the thieving community as a group of self-serving individuals with no sense of loyalty, neither to cause nor to fellowship. She shed a few tears as she explained her exploits and the many friends she had lost on her path. She showed Fidel some of her potions and poisons, her specialty developed while a child and enhanced through her thefts of rare goods.
Fidel's stories were different. He was never forced to fight his way free from being punished. His thefts were more indirect and discreet. His mother only brought him on burglaries where there was a low chance of being caught, but required lookouts. He explained how Framan taught him to pick locks, disarm traps, and sneak through crowded rooms. He demonstrated the palm walk, as his mother called it, which consisted of crouching and stepping on the tops of the hands, using the palms of the hands to reduce the noise of each step. The two carried on conversation while walking and enjoying the green Puldechran scenery for hours, occasionally running into a local and inquiring about the region.
The stories turned toward why Fidel was coming back to Puldechra. He pulled the scroll out from his birth parents and shared it with Abby. To much enjoyment, Abby read the scroll aloud. The added tone, pitch, cadence, and the lovely sound of Abby's voice enhanced the meaning of the letter from his parents.
Abby requested to continue in Fidel's company, Fidel answering he naturally expected such to happen. They both realized then, the formal wall of their relationship was now removed, and their time together will be as friends. Not one of them had station above the other. They were equals.
The sun crested the highest point in the sky and started its decline into the west, beginning its retreat behind the high forests of Puldechra. The pair made their
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