The Soul Mark (The Soul Mark Duology Book 1) by J.J. Fischer

Author:J.J. Fischer [Fischer, J.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Published: 2023-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

“My lord Auberon.” Caleb bowed his head and strove for a respectful tone. “I have news from Belladonna.”

His mentor turned from the large chest he was counting coins into, his eyes glittering with interest. Had Lord Auberon truly been called away on urgent business the day that Caleb came to discuss his study of the Book of Souls? Surely the elder would not have lied to him. And yet, he’d said nothing since of his offer.

“Uriah Smith?”

“Nay, my lord. Smith’s not been seen since the attack that killed the young woman, Elisabeth Bryant.” He’d managed to persuade Beck to keep the truth of Sela’s involvement from his report to Lord Auberon, though the lieutenant had smiled knowingly as he agreed to do so. “’Tis Captain Foley.”

“Mister Foley now, I would think.”

“Aye, Mister Foley.”

“What of him, Caleb?”

“He has been…mistreated by the settlement men, sir. Shunned.”

Lord Auberon turned and elevated a single eyebrow. “Shunned?”

“They won’t speak to him or associate with him because of his formerly privileged position. He has no work, no way of feeding or sheltering himself. I wondered…the positions open to branded prisoners at the fort…Cap—Mister Foley is intelligent and well-educated. Might he apply for one of them?”

“And how did you come by this information, my son?”

“I saw Foley in the street.” And he’d given him money for food, though it wouldn’t do to share that with Lord Auberon. Caleb had been unable to turn his back on such obvious desperation. The man had been distraught, not only because of Ira’s death but because of the bondmate and five children he’d left in the Old Town. Children who would never see their father again, and who would face disgrace and poverty every day of their lives due to his thoughtless actions.

Lord Auberon plucked a small coin from the chest he’d been crouching over and handed it to Caleb. The name scratched there was unfamiliar, but he knew what he held.

The coin of one condemned by the lot.

He stared at the chest. It was filled with hundreds, possibly even thousands of the engraved coins, identical save for the names etched upon each one. Liri Meriweather’s coin would be in there, and the coin of Sela’s friend, Esther. He recalled the coin that Tucker had carried every day of his adult life, pierced with a small hole, lashed to a chain, and worn as a necklace. A joyous reminder of his freedom? Or a crushing weight around his neck, given his deliverance had coincided with the loss of his sweetheart?

“I don’t understand, my lord.” He handed the coin back to Lord Auberon, who returned it to the chest and ran pale, ringless fingers through the gleaming mass. It was the only extravagance in Lord Auberon’s otherwise spartan chamber.

“The man you and I knew as Captain Foley was spared of this terrible fate, Caleb. He was given a privileged position and blessed with a loving bondmate and five devoted children. Should a man who has known such bounty choose to turn from the right path, there is no mercy left available to him.

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