The Godseeker Duet by David A Willson

Author:David A Willson [Willson, David A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seeker Press
Published: 2019-11-29T22:00:00+00:00

Bylo was readying himself for the screams when Mykel was thrown into the cell by the guards far sooner than expected.

"We have no time," Mykel said. "You must do it now."

"What do you mean?" Bylo said.

"They know about the health rune. They know you inscribed it and are coming for you soon."

They both looked at the single guard, waiting and hoping that he would leave for his meal as he often did at this time. After a few minutes, the man stepped away and Bylo spurred himself to action, reaching to his sock and retrieving the vial. His weak fingers had difficulty grasping it, but once he pulled the vial out, its presence calmed his nerves and he found both strength and focus. He held it gingerly, reverently, knowing it to be more valuable than any object he had ever possessed. This vial didn't contain ink; it contained hope. Freedom. Life. Both Nara's and Mykel's.

"Can you put your leg through these bars?" Bylo asked.

Mykel squeezed his right leg between the cold pieces of iron, and Bylo squinted in the poor light to choose a canvas for his work. The most comfortable place for Bylo to reach was mid-thigh, which gave him ample room to make the design. Bylo pulled the stopper and reached inside to retrieve the needles. While doing so, some drops fell to the stone below, and Mykel's eyebrows rose. Precious ink wasted.

"It's okay," Bylo said. "We have enough."

Strength was the first tattoo he had ever inscribed, having experimented on himself long ago. While he had no scripture texts to guide him this time, he didn't need them—there were strength tattoos on his own thighs for reference. As he performed the task, Bylo looked at his marks several times to be sure. Success in this would require a hasty but accurate inscription.

A coughing fit interrupted the work, and more bloody phlegm decorated a stone tile nearby.

"Are you okay?" Mykel asked.

"I'm fine," Bylo said, continuing the important work. "But promise me something."

"Anything."

"Nara first."

"What?"

"When you leave here, go straight for her. Don't wait for me. I can't keep up. Save my little girl first. I'll find my own way."

"How will you escape?"

"Don't worry about it."

Almost an hour later, the tattoo was complete and Mykel closed his eyes.

"I see it,” Mykel said. “The new rune is blurry, but I can reach it. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Save her."

"I will."

With that, Mykel pulled himself to his feet and closed his eyes again. It seemed to take several tries, but once he accomplished it, the change was obvious. Mykel's stance deepened, he took a breath, then exhaled a long, comforting sigh. Bylo fell back against the stone, relieved. During the night, anxiety had robbed him of sleep over the possibility of failing this inscription, knowing he had only one chance to get it right. The most important inscription of his life.

"Tell her I love her."

Mykel smiled agreement with his eyes. "Stand back, Bylo."

Bylo moved away from the bars that separated them.

Mykel turned toward the outer stone wall.

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