Read Online The Book of Deacon by Joseph Lallo - Free Book Online Page A

made
its presence known as a dull, constant ache in her head.
    Finally, she could see well enough to take in
the more specific sights around her. A scattering of the town's
residents were up and about in these first hours of daylight. Five
were huddled together against the wind, all but one wearing the
ubiquitous drab gray cloak. She began to look away when the inn
door swung open to allow yet another cloak-clad, faceless villager
into the cold. The newcomer stood briefly beside the others, not
even evoking a glance from them. It then turned and waved at
Myranda with a familiar black-gloved hand. The figure,
indistinguishable from the others, rushed over to her.
    "Leo?" asked Myranda as the figure
approached.
    "Indeed," came his familiar voice. He hunched
over a bit, turned his hooded head to and fro slowly, and slouched.
"The bed is a devious invention, letting one sleep until after
sunup. Some folks need the dawn to catch their breakfast."
    "Why are you slouching?" she asked.
    "I am still tall enough to draw attention. On
a bright day like this, the shadowy face can seem a bit
suspicious," he explained quietly.
    "So I suppose you are moving on then," she
surmised.
    "As quickly as possible. It was fine meeting
you--" he began.
    "Well, now, wait a moment. I am quite through
with this town. We could walk a bit together. I would appreciate a
friendly ear for a few minutes more," Myranda offered.
    "Wonderful, as long as we do so quickly," Leo
agreed.
    The pair moved swiftly out of town. Fresh
snow crunched beneath their feet, and a stiff and constant wind
blew in their faces, but they made sure to keep a quick pace until
they were well outside the village walls. When Leo was satisfied
they were quite alone, he slowly straightened and tugged his hood
back enough to break its spell and reveal his face. His return to
his full posture was accompanied by a sigh. Myranda shook her
head.
    "I am so sorry that you have to live like
this," she said, nearly sickened by the behavior of her own
people.
    "Oh, it is not so bad. I only spend time in a
city once in a great while," he said.
    "It should not be that way. I honestly do not
see how you could treat me so kindly when my people have never done
the same to you. How can you put the anger aside?" she asked.
    "You must remember that at least half of my
interactions with other races are in the form of combat. When every
alternate memory you have of a human consists of forcibly
delivering him into an unwelcome slumber, and getting paid quite
well to do so, the anger tends to fade a bit," he said with a
grin.
    Myranda nodded. She tried to picture this
thoughtful, helpful gentleman in battle, but it seemed absurd. As
her mind wandered, she casually rubbed her sore palm with her right
thumb.
    "How is it coming?" Leo asked.
    "Pardon? Oh, the burn. Very well. Thanks for
the advice. It itches a bit, but not nearly as it had yesterday,"
she said. In fact, it had recovered so much, she had forgotten to
bandage it that morning.
    "Let's have a look," he said, stopping to
gently take her hand into his gloved hands. He looked it over
thoughtfully. Over the night the redness had all but disappeared,
leaving a thin, raised area where the red had been.
    "There will be a scar. Two of them. Here and
here. If you want to keep them small, leave the bandage off and
don't scratch at it," Leo advised.
    "You are starting to sound like my uncle,"
she said as he released her hand.
    "The man must have given some fine advice,"
he said.
    The pair continued on.
    "So, how long can I expect your company?"
Myranda asked hopefully.
    "Until I find a decent hunting ground to live
off of for a few days. A pine forest will do," he said.
    "I hope we do not find one. I would hate to
have to say goodbye," she said.
    "We all say goodbye in time. I always say it
is a good bye
when we choose it and a bad one when we are forced. As such, I much prefer good byes,"
he said. "And besides, I am long overdue for a time in