Descent Into Darkness by James R. Vernon

Author:James R. Vernon [Vernon, James R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Three Moons Realm Publishing
Published: 2014-09-23T00:00:00+00:00

"WHAT IN THE ABYSS..."

Sadiek's expression went from squinting in the low levels of light to pure shock. The older man looked at the imp. Zin looked at the man. Ean looked at them both. What felt like an eternity passed. Then, without warning, Zin disappeared in a flash. This made Sadiek's eyes almost bulge out of his head, and Ean quickly grabbed the old man by his robe and pulled him completely into the tent. The man let Ean drag him in without putting up a fight and collapsed into a sitting position inside.

"Sadiek," Ean began, not exactly sure what to say. "I can explain what you saw. It was an illusion, a...trick. You know, like what a Sparkteller can do." Ean's lie was off and running. "I don't tell many people about it because I'm just learning. That's why the image disappeared so quickly when you came in, you startled me and I lost..."

Ean trailed off as the old man began shaking his head. "Ean, we both know that wasn't a Sparkteller illusion." The man's words came out slowly, as if each one was being carefully thought over and placed before Ean. "That creature reacted to me the same way I reacted to it. I've never seen anything like it. Was that a creature from the Abyss?"

Ean sat in silence. How many years had he kept Zin a secret? How careful had he always been before? Ean's mind was reeling.

"I'll take that as a yes," Sadiek continued. "I don't know what I find more shocking-- something from the Abyss free in the world or the fact that he is obviously your slave. Or is it companion?"

"Uhhhhh...." was all Ean could manage.

"Doesn't much matter, I suppose. What matters is whether you found it or if you brought it out of the Abyss yourself."

"I...found him a long time ago. His name is Zin, and he certainly is not my slave."

"It has a name? Most curious." Sadiek's expression had changed again, his eyes slightly squinted and a small smile forming on his lips. "I must say, Ean, I had thought seeing the Deadlands was going to be the most interesting part about this trip, but clearly I was mistaken."

"Interesting? Does that mean you're not scared of him? Scared of me? You're not going to turn me over to the Seekers?"

Sadiek laughed, which startled Ean at first but then relaxed as a broad smile appeared on the older man's face.

"Scared?" Sadiek got out eventually between laughs. "Of what? That little creature? Or you having a tie to the Abyss? Ean, my young lad, I'm a scholar. I'm not your typical villager scared by old stories and superstition. I seek out knowledge about things that most people shy away from, and the Abyss is one of those things."

"You have to promise me you won't tell anyone, Sadiek. I've already had a run-in with people that would kill me because of my connection to the Abyss. I'm glad you can accept it, but I would rather not risk trusting anyone else.

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