The Art Stone (Echoes of Elybion Book 1) by Jesse Ellis

Author:Jesse Ellis [Ellis, Jesse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elybion Entertainment LLC
Published: 2020-07-13T22:00:00+00:00

20

The Vagabond

Kai

Autumn K8, 50 AE

Light flickering through heavy dust causes me to twist into the depths of my feather-filled pillow. Yet my throbbing head keeps me awake. Once light penetrates my eyelids, the dreamless sleep has vanished.

Rising from my rented bed, I sit upright. With legs hanging over the edge, I stretch and give out a long yawn. A shake of the leather satchel lets me estimate my remaining silver. The coin represents my share of the loot. Captain Davinor kept his end of the bargain before dropping me off. Compared to the total, my plunder of gems and silver was only a slice of a slice. Still, it has been enough to eat and drink like a king for a few weeks. I toss the half-full satchel against the wall as my self-loathing surfaces. I left my allies behind when I dived off the ship. For what? The guilt plagues me as Shiva returns to my thoughts. She would never have left me there. We’re running and she’s diving right behind me in my memories. I hit my stiff palm against my head.

“Argh.” I pull my face down as I run my fingernails through my thick, overgrown beard hairs.

For a moment, I sit, holding the leather-swathed stone hanging around my neck. I think of my mother and the last time I felt her grace.

“Art has another plan for you,” she said.

To become a coward? I was unable to act when I was needed the most. Art doesn’t see me. She never has. With my hands firmly gripping the stone, I think back to the night. Somehow I swam faster than any man should be capable of as I held my breath longer than any man has. I could’ve died by an arrow or drowning that night. Yet I lived.

I pick up the coins, place them back in the satchel, and sling the satchel over my shoulder.

* * *

“Kaison Foyd.” Bo Kil’Flanning slams his hand on the bar as I step down the stairs.

“A good morning.” I keep walking.

“A drink to start your day?” Bo says.

“No. I…” I slow my stride.

The bar is uncharacteristically crowded this morning. I chose the inn because of the quaintness and proximity to the ocean. Something has changed.

“Who captains these men?” I step back to the bar.

Bo Kil’Flanning, the barkeeper, owns several shops. He’s a friendly, balding man who never allows a dry cup.

“These men aren’t sailors.” He leans toward me.

His body smells of mint and clove.

“No?” I lean in closer.

“No. These men are here for the tournament.” He widens his eyes and presses both hands onto the counter.

“Oh, Rotho City hosts tournaments? I suppose…the city is much more accessible than Lothbrooke,” I say. The Golden Gulf is accessible to most of Elybion, but Lothbrooke is a fortress locked in the eye of Swedas.

He seems frustrated, and he slaps his rag down on the bar. “No, they aren’t here to watch dregadins play with swords. They are here for the real fights—the underground fights,” he whispers.

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