Read Online Forsaken (Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book 8) by Rachel Humphrey-D'aigle - Free Book Online Page A

found, so it had been a while.
    “Something you’ll have to give some thought to,” Nashua said decidedly.
    Arnon nodded, already thinking up ways to take precautions.
    “How did all the sand get here? Or out there…” corrected Cornell. “I felt no life, no energy from the sand.”
    “It happened a long time ago,” said Kanda. “The people that owned and worked this land overworked it. Ruined it. Drained the life out of the ground and basically, killed it.”
    “That’s kind of a scary thought,” replied Balloch. “Will it never come back to life?”
    “It’s been almost a hundred years with no sign of recovery. Only time will tell I suppose.”
    “So if the desert and sand are dead, how does this oasis thrive?” asked Cornell.
    “A series of underwater caves,” explained Nashua. “Some from the ocean, some from fresh water sources. But the water pops up out of the ground inside the oasis and provides life. The energy renews constantly.”
    “So there are sources of both salt water and fresh water here?” confirmed Balloch.
    “Yes,” answered Nashua.
    Eddy noted the information.
    “It’s the constant movement of the water that renews the energy and life here. The fresh water flows from underground and pops up in springs. The ocean currents do the same. The constant and ebb and flow of the tides creates a constant energy source. Endless supplies for all your magical needs…” Kanda smiled. She could tell they were falling in love with this place.
    “Just like the island,” noted Cornell smartly. “The ocean provides us all we need there as well. Being self-sustainable is vital.”
    Everyone agreed.
    “Well, how about enough gawking and note taking, for now,” suggested Milo. “Shall we?” He let Kanda and Nashua lead the way. Not too long in they came to a meadow. Filled with flowers and tall grass. In the middle was one of the fresh water springs the Macawi’s had spoken of.
    They decided the meadow was the perfect place to set up camp. Arnon and Cornell had carried a heavy looking trunk between them. They insisted it was not heavy at all; they had used magic to make it so. And somehow, all their supplies and personal belongings for this quest had been stored inside.
    Arnon opened the trunk and reached down into the depths. He pulled out a thick stack of canvas.
    The tent. There was just one. It didn’t look that big folded in his arms, but Juliska watched as he and Cornell spread it out on the ground and it took up much more space than she expected. They made a few swift and simultaneous movements with their hands, and the tent popped upward, forming into a substantial looking canvas abode. They opened the front flaps and hooked them so everyone could go in.
    Juliska stepped through and froze, she’d had never seen anything like it. Day one and she was already overwhelmed.
    “Wow.” Apparently, neither had Eddy. He stopped right alongside her.
    She could not hold back a grin seeing the look of awe on his face.
    “Impressive. You cannot argue with that,” he aimed at her.
    “No. I suppose I can’t.” But it can be a quick argument . She left him and went further in.
    There was a large room in the center of the tent. In the middle was a long wooden table and chairs. Off to the backside was a galley and fireplace, stocked with food and other provisions.
    Lining the walls on the right and left hand sides were doors, marked with the name of the person staying in the room behind it. The belongings they had packed and delivered before the quest had already been put in each of their rooms.
    Juliska headed for hers, but stopped short when she saw the name on the door next to hers. Eddy stepped up to his room and tossed her a wink as he stepped inside. She wondered if anyone would switch with her.
    The room was simple. A bed, a small table and a dresser for her belongings. It didn’t take them long to get settled, and soon, they were seated around the table aligning plans for the next few