Ritual of the Stones (Ballad of Frindoth) by Donovan Rob

Author:Donovan, Rob [Donovan, Rob]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Published: 2013-07-03T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 16

On the east coast of Rora, the Baceid Ocean was famous for the way the waves fell upon the shore. Here, for some reason, when the waves receded deep into the sea bed, they seemed to pause an abnormal amount of time before crashing upon the sandy beach.

Iskandar believed this had something to do with the blue moon but Jacquard was not convinced. Pewtory, a famous bard in the distant past, had described the action as “Rora holding its breath before the madness came.”’ Over the years a common phrase was coined by Frindothians to apply this description to everyday life. It was known quite simply as “Rora’s breath.”

Jacquard thought “Rora’s breath” had never been more evident than it was in the market square at the moment. Everyone seemed strangely quiet. An air of expectancy consumed the crowd. It was as if everyone automatically sensed the Gloom was about to make its entrance. No one moved, not even shuffling to stand in a better position. Even those of the nine stoneholders that had been crying ceased their tears.

Jacquard could not take his eyes off his son. He looked so young and vulnerable all of a sudden. As much as he tried to appear unconcerned, Jacquard could see Althalos was scared out of his mind. The prince’s bottom lip was trembling despite his efforts to keep it still.

Jacquard wanted nothing more than to go and comfort his son. The other stoneholders displayed similar signs of fear. The black man was still singing, although Jacquard could hear no sound coming from him. The young girl looked around anxiously, her head jerking roughly as she did so. Only the hard faced man and the blood soaked man on the end seemed immune to the inevitability of their situation. They both stood still and waited patiently.

Jacquard looked at Iskandar. He still hadn’t looked his way. Something very bad was about to happen. Three people still had not shown and the Gloom’s arrival was imminent. What can I do? I put my faith in the Order to escort the stoneholders to the waterfall. They’ve never failed me before. What am I supposed to do? Jacquard noticed that one or two of the people below him were looking at him expectantly for the answers. I have no answers. What do you want from me?

And then, it did not matter.

Despite there not being a cloud in the sky, the natural daylight suddenly dimmed. The sky dulled as if the sun had gone behind a dense cloud. Gloomier, Jacquard thought. Shapes and shadows became distorted. Mesmerized, no one moved.

It came out of nowhere, an almost transparent silhouette, feline in shape, powerfully strolling on four legs towards the gallows. Not everyone saw it at first and had to have it pointed out by those standing next to them. Even then, some people still struggled to make it out.

As it reached the foot of the steps, it reared onto its hind legs where it morphed into a humanoid figure before ascending the stairs.

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