Rivers of Ink (Four Horsemen of Sarai Book 2) by J M Thomas

Author:J M Thomas [Thomas, J M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7 – Hopeless

The usual busyness of the inn—with people bustling in and out, echoes of a dozen conversations from the great room, and the near-constant squeak of the main door—was replaced by a total hush with only whispers from within. Erys exchanged a look of concern with Danye. Good, it isn’t just me; the quiet is odd. Brows furrowed, they approached the door. Danye took the lead, peeking his head in before pulling the door open. A few seconds later, he gestured for Erys to follow.

People milled about as usual, but they spoke in hushed tones and cast furtive glances at Erys and Danye as they strode into the great room. Wolf spotted Erys and ran to him, holding his arms out for a hug. Quietly, Erys stopped and kneeled on one knee to greet his son. Danye spoke with Kestra and Rayne, matching his whispers to those around him, then reported back to Erys.

“The group over there are standing watch over a man who tried to take a running leap off the canyon edge. Seems he lost everything and doesn’t see a reason to continue like this,” Danye whispered as Erys rose to his feet, Wolf’s hand clasped in his own. “In the canyon, he was the one who sang.”

“I cannot say I blame him.” Erys sighed, realizing he and Danye were still covered in dirt from their journey, and the brothers were in no condition to intervene into a situation. Well, here go the last shreds of my dignity, Erys thought. He took a deep breath and shouldered his way through the gaps between people, Danye right behind him.

When the Saraians began to notice he was in their midst, they parted, allowing the men through. People didn’t seem to know what to say, so the hall remained eerily quiet except for the occasional echo of footsteps. Erys knelt before the man, who seemed embarrassed that so many people now knew about his shame and pain.

The lord recognized this white-haired fellow as the man whose eerie lullaby had cast a surreal feeling over the canyon after the cataclysm had passed. The man was clearly suffering: Erys could see it all over his age-worn face, in his laboring breathing, his wrinkled hands shaking and fidgeting. The crowds aren’t helping at this point. Erys offered his hand, and the elder grasped it and rose. When Erys looked into his eyes, he empathized with the man’s perceived lack of dignity, as well as with his hopelessness.

“May I speak with you in my office?” Erys asked.

“Yes, my lord.” The man squeaked out his response and rose with Erys’ aid.

When they reached the office, Erys closed the door behind them. “Finally!” He sighed. “Need a few minutes before we make our formal introductions?”

The man nodded gratefully and Erys poured him a cup of water from a glass pitcher.

“I am in considerable need of an hour or so to freshen up.” Erys gestured to his clothes as he made eye contact with the older fellow.

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