Bones of the Earth by Jason A. Gilbert

Author:Jason A. Gilbert [Gilbert, Jason A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Argonaut Publishing
Published: 2014-04-07T23:00:00+00:00

Connor drifted in and out of sleep on the small bed in his and Laila's room. The morning and afternoon had slid by slowly, hour by hour, as he’d waited for his two companions to return. At midday he had walked from the inn to the city center, trying to break the monotony. He was amazed at the similarities between this city and Terus, as though they were twins. His simple upbringing in Custos had not prepared him for the variety of people that these cities harbored. Consuls and wealthy merchants roamed the streets in their fancy robes and brightly colored tunics, and craftspeople and farmers made their way into the city every day to make their living. Everything in Custos had been community oriented. Granted, there was a hierarchy in place, but everyone had contributed to the whole because that was part of their identity, their clan. Here in Balon, and in Terus, Connor had noticed none of that connection among the people. Each family had their own priorities and ambitions, and that rarely seemed to coincide with anyone else's, for all Laila's talk of creating a homogenous society. And, in all her musings about Terus, Laila failed to mention the serving class. He had heard them referred to as the Togati. To him, they seemed to be an integral part of Terus, but it was obvious that Laila and the other Citizens took their service for granted.

As he drifted, he found himself missing Custos. The smell of the honey rolls, his mother's stew, his friends. He knew that nothing would ever be the same now. He was the chosen companion of the Magus, an honor he’d had to defend his life for. An honor he had not really wanted.

The handle on the door rattled, waking Connor from his drowsing. He swung his legs off the bed and stood. For a moment, he felt adrenaline surge, and he wanted to reach out for the Sword. Then the door swung open, and Laila and Icarus stepped in. Icarus looked back down the hallway before closing the door quickly. Connor could see concern on Laila's face.

"What happened?" he asked.

Icarus turned from the door and took a seat, and as he did, he lit a small lamp. The sun was finally setting, and the room was becoming dark.

"I'm not sure," Icarus answered, staring into the flame of the lamp.

Connor looked at Laila as she sat down wearily on her own small bed. The young girl looked exhausted. He knew that she was not used to the kind of travel they had endured the previous few days. Not to mention the incredible emotional strain she must be under. He could see the slump in her shoulders and the heaviness to her eyes; there was far more stress than should have been present in someone her age.

"Did you notice anything strange while we were gone?" Icarus asked, looking up from the lamp.

Connor shook his head. "No, Magus. Nothing."

Icarus nodded to himself. Connor wanted desperately to help, but Icarus was not forthcoming with information about their situation.

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