Read Online The Mists of Sorrow: The Morcyth Saga Book Seven by Brian S. Pratt - Free Book Online Page B

you feel this is what
we must do, then so be it.” Behind his eyes the others can tell he
wants nothing more than to head straight into the Empire to find
his friend. Circumstances seem intent on keeping him from that
goal.
    James stands up and says, “We all need to
get our sleep. It’s a long way to the City from here.”
    Miko nods and lies back down on his blanket,
the Star already having been returned to his pouch.
    James makes sure everyone is returning to
their blankets, everyone but Stig that is, it’s his turn at watch.
Once they are, he lies down and churns over the events in his mind.
He’s amazed by the fact that he was able to enter another’s dream
and wonders if he could do it again. He can’t help but wonder if
someone had a hand in supplying Scar with that information,
wouldn’t be the first time such a handy piece of information
crossed his path at just the right time. Trying to still his
troubled thoughts, it’s a long time before he’s finally able to
fall back to sleep.

Chapter Five
_________________________

    Up with the sun, they head cross country
toward the northeast and the City of Light. They ride in silent
contemplation. Miko is worried about what may await him in that
room below what use to be the High Temple to Morcyth. Will there be
a fearsome creature as in the dream? Or will it be something
else.
    James worries about what all their dreams
can mean. In each, a terrible presence has manifested. Within his
dreams it was the shadows and monstrosities, Miko had a powerful
presence, and Brother Willim a dead, black tree from which a
monstrous creature steps. Are they all interconnected, or does each
deal with a different event? He doubts if he’ll understand before
it’s too late.
    Riding hard, they swap between their spare
horses periodically to better able maintain the pace. Cutting cross
country as they are, they don’t encounter any other travelers, the
few farmsteads they pass look deserted. A couple have been utterly
destroyed, quite possibly when the Empire came through here last
year.
    Throughout the day and into the night, they
ride. Only the fact their horses are on the brink of exhaustion do
they even stop for the night. But it isn’t for very long. No sooner
does the sun rise than they are again in the saddle and racing
across the countryside. A half hour after the sun rises they come
to a road traveling east and west. Several wagons are on the road
heading toward a town visible to the east.
    “That’s Reardon,” Scar announces when the
town comes into view. “Follow the north road leaving the city and
it will take you directly to the City of Light.”
    “Excellent,” says James.
    They ride for the road and upon reaching it
turn eastward toward Reardon. The men on the wagons glance their
way but otherwise offer no greeting. The loads they are hauling are
mainly comprised of lumber and stone, materials needed in
rebuilding the city. As they draw closer to the walls surrounding
Reardon, many people are seen moving in and out from the gate where
the road passes through.
    The walls look fairly intact, though there
are places where it’s evident the Empire’s siege equipment came
into play. Not wanting to get caught up with what’s going on inside
the city, they turn and pass along the outside of the walls as they
circumvent the town.
    When they reach the road moving northward,
they turn onto it and again increase their speed to a fast gallop.
Along the road between Reardon and the City of Light, they
encounter many civilians. Families as well as merchants and the
occasional group of soldiers are upon the road heading south to
Reardon. Many have their belongings with them and their mood is one
of hope for the future.
    James remembers last year and the refugees
who were fleeing the approach of the Empire. His heart is gladdened
that the fear and hopelessness he had seen on the faces of many has
been replaced with joy and hope. He fervently wishes that they will
be able