Read Online The Dawn of the Raven Omnibus 1: Episodes 1-5 by J.L. Blackthorne - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: J.L. Blackthorne
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certain
of it and then, upon hearing a twig or branch break from behind, would swivel
her head as fast as she could, certain to find a band of exiles there, ready to
attack. But each time there was nothing. Maybe sometimes a small squirrel,
bird, or other animal of the like, but mostly it was just her mind playing
tricks on her. One of the times, when she felt the hairs on the back of her
neck raising and was completely certain that eyes were on her, she searched all
around and finally found the source: a hawk that was flying far above. It was
following their path, as if it were looking for the right moment to swoop in
for the kill. “You are quite a specimen, but I think I’m a little big for you”
thought Kiella as she stared back at it. And, sure enough, the hawk’s interest
soon faded and it flew off in search of more appropriate prey. With all of her
paranoia and fear of the exiles, Kiella didn’t want to make too much noise, but
she couldn’t contain all of her curiosity, so she whispered to Bob as they
walked.
“The Elken .
. . you say they have magic? I’ve heard mention of this. They are witches,
right? My people say little about them, except that they are evil and they are
to be feared.”
Bob’s face grew grim.
“Oh yes.
Your people are wise. They do practice witchcraft, I think. I don’t get too
close, but I know that they can do things . . . well, things that don’t seem .
. . natural. They aren’t like you and me. They aren’t human. They’re a
completely different breed. But I’ve got to watch my tongue, I can’t take any
chance on them hearing me talking ill of them. I don’t harm them, and I stay
out of their way, and they leave me be. But I have seen things . . .”
With that, Bob stopped in mid-sentence, and his eyes showed
his fear. He shook his head, as if trying to wrestle his mind free of whatever
horrible vision he had witnessed and had now remembered. He looked dead onward
into the forest, and quickened his pace, and Kiella did her best to bother him
with her curiosity no more.
As the sun bowed to the other side of the mountains, dusk
came quickly and the forest began to dim. Just before darkness took hold, Bob
suddenly became very excited.
“We’re
almost there!” he whispered, though even in a whisper his enthusiasm spilled
over. “My bear trap is just ahead! I know it, this time I’ll have gotten the
bastard. He’s the smartest, toughest, biggest varmint I’ve ever tried to
trap. His hide will keep me warm for many a winter. His head will be my
proudest trophy, forever to grace my wall. I’ll keep that one for myself,
alright! Oh, I can’t wait. His claws alone will fetch a high price in trade!
And the meat . . . If I treat it right, I can sell half and what remains will
still be enough to feed me and Cretin for weeks!”
His pace quickened and Kiella noticed a hop in his step as he
closed in on the final fifty meters to his trap. But, alas, upon reaching it
his high hopes were quickly crushed. The trap was broken and empty, and the
meat he had left as bait was long gone.
“Damn! The
bastard got the best of old Bob Bumbelden again!” After this exclamation, Bob
carefully examined the trap. “Clever bastard. Not even a drop of blood. I
don’t know how it would be possible. I could have sworn . . . Hmmm . . .
the trap must have failed, I think. I don’t see how he could have figured it
out this time.” After a few moments to ponder and mourn the failed trap, Bob’s
spirits suddenly, and without warning, lifted again. “Oh well, just gives me a
reason to plan a new, better one. I will get you, you big old bastard! I
promise you that!” And with that, Bob chuckled and continued on.
As the last bit of light left the day, Bob stated that they’d
better hurry and find a place to camp.
“Do The
Elken patrol at night?” inquired Kiella.
“Oh,
of it and then, upon hearing a twig or branch break from behind, would swivel
her head as fast as she could, certain to find a band of exiles there, ready to
attack. But each time there was nothing. Maybe sometimes a small squirrel,
bird, or other animal of the like, but mostly it was just her mind playing
tricks on her. One of the times, when she felt the hairs on the back of her
neck raising and was completely certain that eyes were on her, she searched all
around and finally found the source: a hawk that was flying far above. It was
following their path, as if it were looking for the right moment to swoop in
for the kill. “You are quite a specimen, but I think I’m a little big for you”
thought Kiella as she stared back at it. And, sure enough, the hawk’s interest
soon faded and it flew off in search of more appropriate prey. With all of her
paranoia and fear of the exiles, Kiella didn’t want to make too much noise, but
she couldn’t contain all of her curiosity, so she whispered to Bob as they
walked.
“The Elken .
. . you say they have magic? I’ve heard mention of this. They are witches,
right? My people say little about them, except that they are evil and they are
to be feared.”
Bob’s face grew grim.
“Oh yes.
Your people are wise. They do practice witchcraft, I think. I don’t get too
close, but I know that they can do things . . . well, things that don’t seem .
. . natural. They aren’t like you and me. They aren’t human. They’re a
completely different breed. But I’ve got to watch my tongue, I can’t take any
chance on them hearing me talking ill of them. I don’t harm them, and I stay
out of their way, and they leave me be. But I have seen things . . .”
With that, Bob stopped in mid-sentence, and his eyes showed
his fear. He shook his head, as if trying to wrestle his mind free of whatever
horrible vision he had witnessed and had now remembered. He looked dead onward
into the forest, and quickened his pace, and Kiella did her best to bother him
with her curiosity no more.
As the sun bowed to the other side of the mountains, dusk
came quickly and the forest began to dim. Just before darkness took hold, Bob
suddenly became very excited.
“We’re
almost there!” he whispered, though even in a whisper his enthusiasm spilled
over. “My bear trap is just ahead! I know it, this time I’ll have gotten the
bastard. He’s the smartest, toughest, biggest varmint I’ve ever tried to
trap. His hide will keep me warm for many a winter. His head will be my
proudest trophy, forever to grace my wall. I’ll keep that one for myself,
alright! Oh, I can’t wait. His claws alone will fetch a high price in trade!
And the meat . . . If I treat it right, I can sell half and what remains will
still be enough to feed me and Cretin for weeks!”
His pace quickened and Kiella noticed a hop in his step as he
closed in on the final fifty meters to his trap. But, alas, upon reaching it
his high hopes were quickly crushed. The trap was broken and empty, and the
meat he had left as bait was long gone.
“Damn! The
bastard got the best of old Bob Bumbelden again!” After this exclamation, Bob
carefully examined the trap. “Clever bastard. Not even a drop of blood. I
don’t know how it would be possible. I could have sworn . . . Hmmm . . .
the trap must have failed, I think. I don’t see how he could have figured it
out this time.” After a few moments to ponder and mourn the failed trap, Bob’s
spirits suddenly, and without warning, lifted again. “Oh well, just gives me a
reason to plan a new, better one. I will get you, you big old bastard! I
promise you that!” And with that, Bob chuckled and continued on.
As the last bit of light left the day, Bob stated that they’d
better hurry and find a place to camp.
“Do The
Elken patrol at night?” inquired Kiella.
“Oh,
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