Read Online Sea Queen by Michael James Ploof - Free Book Online Page A

Volnoss? You and Marcus?”
    Tyson smiled, but sorrow shone in his eyes. “Yeah. I knew the crazy bastard since we were kids.”
    “I’m sorry for your loss,” Talon said, sincerely.
    “Thanks. You lost a friend too? Jahsin?”
    The old pain returned with vigor, and a lump swelled in Talon’s throat. “I could have saved him…but I was too weak. I let an enemy live, and he ended up killing Jahsin.”
    Tyson said nothing. He simply nodded, understanding.
    “I’ll never make the same mistake again,” said Talon.
    His mind drifted then to those he’d killed. Tyson had made a good argument about self-defense and the protection of others, but the memories of what he’d had to do still filled him with dread. Deep down he knew what he was really afraid of. He worried that he would begin to enjoy the killing. When he fought against those men, a part of him that had lay dormant his entire life had been unleashed. The part of him that was held back from blurting out at the teasing Vald children, that wanted to fight back…wanted to kill them all. Talon had always fought to control his rage, his anger, knowing that it would only get him killed. But now, with the ring and Chief, he didn’t need to hold back that part of himself. Still, he was afraid of what he might become, should he gain an appetite for blood.
    They ate in silence and watched as the storm clouds began to recede to the north. The southern sky shone clear in the twilight. The night would be a dry one, at least. Talon checked his rations. The bread was hard and stale. Only two strips of meat and a quarter of the brick of cheese remained, but he still had a bag of nuts and seeds he hadn’t gotten into yet. It would see them through a few days if they ate sparingly. Chief could always find them game, but a fresh kill required an open fire, and with the slavers and soldiers likely on their trail, Talon didn’t want to risk one too often.
    “We need to find some new clothes,” said Tyson.
    He was right. Talon’s shirt was torn and ragged, and his itchy burlap trousers weren’t in much better condition. Tyson wore similar clothes, apparel that screamed slave rags. The men in the villages wore fine clothing, usually blues and greens with brown trousers. The women wore long dresses with similar earth tones, and even the slavers dressed relatively well.
    “I seen a few farmhouses scattered around. Maybe we can snag some clothes from one of them,” said Tyson.
    Talon nodded agreement.
    When night came, he called Chief back from the spirit world. They’d decided to sleep there, on the high bluff. They would be able to retain their vantage point, and though the wind blew swiftly across the cliff, it was warm. Talon set Chief to watching the perimeter and rested his head on his pack. He didn’t allow himself to sleep until he heard Tyson’s soft snoring. Not that he thought he would try anything with Chief about, but he couldn’t be too sure. Tyson had stolen the trinket once already, and though he said it was to help in the fight, Talon had his apprehensions. He had seen Tyson running out of town. There was a moment when he intended on stealing it and abandoning them. Just to be safe, he stuffed the timber wolf figurine down the front of his pants.
    He stared at the sky for a long time, just as he had so many nights on Volnoss.
     
    “What do you think the people of Agora are like?” Akkeri asked, as they lay hand in hand beneath the stars.
    “I don’t know, but I hope they’re better than the Vald,” said Talon.
    “You really think we can do it? Escape, I mean.”
    “I think we can, and I think we will. You, me, and Jahsin are getting out of here. I promise you.”
    She sighed. “I would be happy with a small farm—pigs, goats, cows, chickens. Just a quiet corner of the world where we can be happy.”
    Talon sat up to lean on one arm and regarded her. He could have stared at her forever.
    “One day you’ll have your quiet corner of the world,