Destiny by D.M. Turner

Author:D.M. Turner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Otherworlder, Book 4 - Fantasy with a Christian worldview
Publisher: Dawn M. Turner
Published: 2016-08-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

SINCE they chose not to hurry and put unnecessary strain on the horses, they reached the outskirts of Mal’rock at the end of the second day of travel. With an understanding to meet at the same spot the middle of the following day, they split up to enter town at different times and from different points, Zara going first under the watchful eyes of Oktehm and Brudy.

Zara rode in and headed for the nearest inn and livery. There was nothing remarkable about the town. It resembled any number she’d been through in her travels with U’uskoh. Wood and stone structures, none over two floors high. Dirt and rock streets that would turn to mud whenever it rained. The acrid smell of cookfires blended with the aroma of food cooking. At that hour, few children were visible, but men and women strolled in and out of shops, taverns, and homes.

As she exited the stable, having left the horses in the hopefully-capable hands of a stable boy, Zara saw Oktehm ride by. She gave him no more attention than anyone else within visual range and headed for the inn across the street. Get a room. Worry about supplies tomorrow morning.

A couple of men leaning against a wall outside the inn eyed her with interest. She glanced at them then away. More mercenaries. Lovely. Hopefully they’d leave her alone. Tarsius had asked the three of them to avoid trouble. She intended to try. Whether or not the local scum let her accomplish that was beyond her control.

A few minutes later, she let herself into a second floor room, tossed her saddle pack on the bed, locked the room, and returned to the tavern that took up most of the first floor. Brudy was seated at a corner table away from the door, his back to the wall, looking like he belonged there. Her gaze moved on. She grabbed a seat at a table along one wall and ordered something to eat.

Eating alone. Again. Far too harsh a reminder that U’uskoh wasn’t there. Zara lowered her gaze and stared at the heavily-scarred wood surface of the table. How much longer would she have to stay in the world of Ultrana?

Darkness was thick against the windows by the time she finished eating, headed back to her room, and lit a candle on the small table beside the bed. To be sure no one sneaked into her room during the night, she blocked the door with furniture guaranteed to scrape on the floor and wake her, and set up a trip wire to be extra careful. She also booby-trapped the only window. Second floor or not, she could find a way up that outside wall, which meant someone else could as well.

Pale moonlight came through the window. Tucked under a thin blanket, Zara stared at dancing shadows on the far wall created by moonlight and candle flame. Vil’joh would watch over her, but she still couldn’t sleep. She closed her eyes and visualized U’uskoh. I miss you so much.

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