Fulcrum of Light (Catalyst Book 2) C.J. Aaron (unputdownable books .TXT) 📖

“Everyone heard that scream,” he admitted, examining Ryl with his questioning eyes. “Everyone with the vision to see saw that beacon of light. I don't need to ask if that's him. He's still nearly blinding.”

All phrenics gathered nodded their heads in agreement.

A long whistle sounded from afar, starting low before raising in pitch at the end. All conversation in the clearing went silent. Paelec inclined his head closing his eyes; listening for a second signal. The night returned to its unbroken calm.

“Rhoane, get back to Ghen,” Paelec ordered. “See what she needs.”

The other cloaked figure that had assisted him in carrying their companion back to the clearing nodded before hurrying back into the trees. He melted back into the tree line without a sound.

“I thought your ability to see could only work a short distance?” Andr asked breaking the silence.

Paelec looked at Kaep, surprise in his eyes. She nodded subtly before speaking.

“He knows. At least a portion of the truth,” Kaep admitted. “Understand that you’re still a stranger to us. There is an extent to the information that will be divulged for now.”

“I understand,” Andr replied.

“I see no harm in elaborating on that which you already know,” she explained. “All phrenic possess the ability to see to a varying degree. As with any skill, proficiency is enhanced through training, though some are naturally more gifted. Most of us can see several hundred paces with ease. A few can see considerably farther.”

“How many of you are there?” Andr asked inquisitively.

“For now, you know us for those you see in front of you. Please do not ask for more,” she said, a disquieting edge to her voice. “When your friend called to us, we were close to five miles away. To see that far is unheard of.”

“And we were nearly double that distance,” Paelec interjected. “Yet, all saw it clear as day.”

The cloaked figure that had melted into the woods at the signal from their companion strode back into the clearing, stopping before Kaep and Paelec.

“The scouts are still there,” Rhoane announced, a hint of concern in his voice. “They’ve never strayed this close to the forest and remained. I’d guess their numbers are at least a thousand strong. Nothing about this feels right.”

“Thank you, Rhoane,” Paelec acknowledged. “I agree. We need to leave as soon as possible. See if there’s anything Vox can do to help Taq, then see to making a litter to carry our friend here.”

Andr gingerly rose to his feet. His muscles resisted the effort; he felt like he’d aged a decade in the last several days. Paelec and Kaep looked at him curiously. Paelec chuckled quietly.

“No offense, but I think you should rest,” he said with a sarcastic smile. “We only need one litter for now. We don’t want to make a second for you. You look as if you’re going to drop dead any moment. Save your strength, we still have a long walk ahead of us.”

Andr opened his mouth to complain but swallowed his stubborn pride, nodding his head in agreement. He sank back to the ground beside Ryl. Paelec whispered something to Kaep before turning back to see to his resting companion.

Ryl let out a low, pained moan as his body wracked with a short, but violent, convulsion.

“Is there anything you can do to help him?” Andr asked, pleading for some succor for Ryl’s agony.

“I’m sorry,” she responded. “There’s nothing we can do here. The menders will know what to do when we return.”

“Return where?” Andr inquired.

“In time, you will see,” Kaep responded cryptically.

She turned away, rejoining the rest of her group several paces away from where he and Ryl remained. Their conversations were hushed, yet animated, though Andr couldn’t make out a word.

The mercenary looked down at Ryl. His condition appeared to have improved marginally since they’d entered the forest. Following the brief spasm, Ryl had quickly settled back into a comfortable sleep. The random twitches of his eyebrows, the squinting of his eyes, however, painted a different picture of the continued agony he endured. He was confident that Ryl still suffered. Andr stretched his legs, rolling out his feet; his entire lower body throbbed from overexertion. His exhaustion was extreme, yet he couldn’t bring himself to sleep.

While they were likely among friends, friends to whom they both owed their lives, there was more than an underlying hint of distrust in their words. Not that he could honestly blame them. How long had they survived, undetected in the wilds of the Outlands? Never in all his cycles had he heard reference or hint of a community of any size outside the border of the palisades.

Kaep approached again, handing over a small parcel wrapped in cloth. Andr looked at the package in his hand then questioningly back to her.

“Food for you,” Kaep offered. “Meals can be pretty scarce in the Outlands.”

Andr shook his head knowingly. They’d survived almost exclusively on the gritty carrots since they’d arrived.

“How did you get yourself involved in all of this?” she asked curiously.

Andr opened the cloth carefully. A small piece of bread and salted meat awaited him. His mouth watered at the sight. He struggled to maintain his manners before devouring the welcomed rations.

“I was a guard in The Stocks before taking a position with Ryl's sponsor,” Andr admitted, regretting the words immediately.

Andr found himself on his back, the short blade in Kaep's hand pressing ever so slightly against his neck. Her knee dug into his chest pinning him to the ground. Her eyes burned with a fire that reminded him of Ryl.

“Explain yourself before I end your life here,” she hissed. Her companions in the clearing had gathered several paces back, hands hovering over their weapons.

“We may be sheltered, but all know of the vile place you call The Stocks,” she cursed. “We know of the guards and of their treatment of those who are like us. We know of the sponsors who trade gold for the life of a child. You represent