The Complete Earthsinger Chronicles Novellas by L. Penelope

Author:L. Penelope [Penelope, L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944744236
Publisher: Heartspell Media

Chapter Fourteen

The line between foolishness and bravery is not always clear. When making a determination, take into account motive and cost. Our art can inspire bravery; the fool is often selfish.

DAIPUNA: THE ART OF COMBAT

* * *

Roshon lay on the gun deck, staring up at the vivid night’s sky. For now it was clear, but he wondered if this was the calm before the storm. The stars didn’t look the same here on the open water. He’d noticed it before, but now he actually took the time to examine the differences. Back home, Jasminda had tried to teach him about the constellations, but he’d never paid attention. She knew more about the shapes and names of celestial bodies than he did. He hoped he made it back to tell her all about how the sky touched the edges of the ocean out here, and without the mountains to block them, the stars filled his entire vision. He wished he could enjoy it more.

After a week and a half on board, the smooth motion of the ship had finally grown comforting, but he was all too aware that they were traveling into even more danger. Machen and Braloch had returned, having wisely fled the selakki attack. They’d reported that Noa had gained more ground; he was now only a few hours behind them.

Roshon had hoped the selakki would awaken to torment the captain and maybe slow him down, but Machen told Ani he doubted they would have had much trouble with the creatures. Apparently, Noa’s client was some kind of powerful mage who had been assisting them in making such good time by magical means.

Part of the reason Roshon was looking at the sky instead of the ocean was to avoid thinking about the protrusions of rock jutting out of the water. So far, Tai had steered them through expertly, but Roshon still didn’t want to see or even think about what could happen. The glimpses he’d gotten of the jagged fingers of stone they’d been sailing through were enough to feed his nightmares for the rest of his life. Which may turn out to be short, indeed.

He heard Ani coming through the hatch, recognizable because of her light feet. Roshon sat up as she took a seat beside him.

“Making big plans on how we’re going to get through this?” she asked with a weary grin.

“No, I’ve given up on it. You were right. It’s impossible to plan for everything. Somehow I just have to . . .” He shrugged.

“Yeah. It’s not always great being right. A plan might be nice.” She chuckled.

“I’m really sorry you got caught up in all of this with us.”

She looked at him askance. “I’m sorry your family got caught up with us. None of us chose this, but the path is the way. We can’t do anything else but follow it, no matter where it goes.”

Roshon nodded. If that’s what she’d been trying to say all this time, then he finally understood.

“I came to tell you your dad’s down on the deck.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.