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

Andr swallowed, the edge of the blade pushed deeper against his throat.

“Don't assume you know anything about me, my reasons, or the sponsor who paid for his freedom,” Andr growled.

“Lives cannot be bought and sold,” Kaep scolded. “We are not a crop to be purchased.”

“And there our beliefs are aligned,” Andr spat, the anger in his voice spread. “Ryl's sponsor was the reason he was freed in the first place. At the potential cost of his own life, the boy’s death was staged. We know nothing of their fate after the explosion at sea that gave us the cover to reach the Outlands undetected.”

“And you conveniently had a change of heart?” she snapped in retort. “Had your fill bullying the defenseless tributes until your sentence ran out? For what salacious crimes were you being punished that warranted a stint in The Stocks?”

“I fought with every pathetic excuse for a guard who stood in my way,” Andr cursed. “I never harmed a tribute through word or deed. The Stocks were my ultimate goal, none would stand in my way.”

“Don't insult me, sell sword,” Kaep spat. “No one wants to be in The Stocks. You're telling me you fought your way to get inside the walls. What could you possibly want from The Stocks if not violence?”

Andr pushed his upper body forward. The pressure from the knife blade released slightly as he glared at the phrenic pinning him to the ground.

“My son. That's who,” Andr growled at the phrenic.

He sunk back to the ground exhausted, mentally and physically defeated. Kaep withdrew her knife, sliding her knee off his chest. The mood in the clearing had been tense; the oppressive feeling of animosity was now replaced by a feeling of sorrow.

“I needed to see my son,” Andr whispered. “I was gone on a job. We were betrayed by one of our own. My return took longer to return than I'd hoped. I came home to find my wife had sold him to the highest bidder. Sold everything we owned.”

“Why would you leave your son to follow him,” Kaep probed, though the fire in her eyes had cooled.

Andr looked to Ryl again. He’d worked hard to see his boy, to be as close to him as possible. In truth, he hadn’t had much choice in his departure from The Stocks. Lord Eligar had him removed from the guards the moment he received news of Ryl's rescue. He could have protested, refused the assignment. That action would have raised too many red flags.

In retrospect, it had been the right decision. What could he have done, anyway? He’d only seen fleeting glimpses of his son from afar. He couldn't just walk up and speak to him. For all he knew the boy blamed him for his incarceration, or for the cursed blood that flowed within his veins.

He had been working on borrowed time as it was. His superiors would have seen through his cover story and discovered him before long. Choosing to remain in The Stocks after receiving a posting, considered by most to be the job of a lifetime, would have sealed his fate.

He considered it somewhat of a miracle that his identity had not been recognized earlier. His exploits throughout a lengthy career as a mercenary were well known among certain circles. That was a profession not generally known for fostering long lifespans.

Yet even with all that, there was something more that had swayed his decision. Lord Eligar had given him the choice to carry on as Ryl's guide and protector; a contract that carried the near certain possibility of death. The financial pay offered was enormous should he return, although largely immaterial.

Eligar had additionally promised to work behind the scenes to purchase the sponsorship of his son from its current holder. The news of his near death and the destruction of his crew, the ship and its precious cargo would undoubtedly spread through the court like wildfire. The Lord Kyoris, a high standing councilor in the opulent House Sarnic, was a man with multiple tributes to his name. Whether the Lord Kyoris had a sentimental bone left in his body was left to be seen. As was the norm with his lot, money often talked.

There were still more unexplainable reasons. The whisperings on the wind as he raced through the Erlyn spoke to him of hope. At the time, the voice was unbelievable. He was less inclined to trust that which he couldn’t see. That he couldn’t understand.

Then there was his gut. He'd long since learned to trust the feelings that came from within; they'd saved his hide on far too many occasions. It was a lesson instructed with a near fatal outcome. There was something inside, an overpowering voice that screamed to him. It pleaded with him to stay with Ryl, that the boy needed him.

That the boy was his son’s only chance for freedom.

That the boy was destined for so much more than a life in captivity.

“There's something about Ryl, something I can't explain,” Andr continued. “From the first moment I met him, I’ve been drawn to him. Against hopeless odds, he stood up to the guards to right an unconscionable wrong. That brand of determination and morality is something this world needs more of. It's infectious. I will follow him to the ends of the earth if I have to.”

Kaep regarded him and the sleeping form of Ryl for a long moment before responding.

“It looks like you already have,” she said with a small smile.

Chapter 21

The sun was brightening the sky to the east as the group prepared to leave the clearing. The phrenics had finished constructing their makeshift litter, and now carefully lifted Ryl. Andr stood at Ryl’s side as they made ready to depart.

The unconscious phrenic they'd carried in with the second group had risen, although his steps flagged noticeably. Their remaining member had returned as they began their slow march. From his position