Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Jonathan Michael (red novels .txt) 📖

gone from this world, I have loved ones I like to go back to each and every day. And, eventually, if I can ever make the tough decision to leave this purposeful life before it is taken from me, I will settle down with them.” He sets the frame down and focuses on me.

“Family is important, sir. That is the sole reason I’m here.”

“Yes, it is,” he agrees in a solemn voice. “I have a proposition for you, Stone.” He pauses again. I don’t recognize it immediately, but with his long pause, it clicks—he used my given name.

I stop breathing. I want to crawl out of my own flesh and hide in a corner. One leg shifts toward the exit. I want to run, but to where? My heart thuds within my chest. I want to be free of this fear that Stone McLarin will be executed upon sight. I’m exhausted from running away from myself.

“Yes, I know the truth, Stone McLarin. Advocate Gunther informed me of everything. I wouldn’t have agreed to transport you otherwise. There was little heartache with the decision because it’s been four seasons. I doubt if the Taoiseach has many resources set on finding you, so the risk is low, I think. But he is looking. The wanted posters remain hanging and have been renewed from time to time. Each time, the reward increasing. So…” he pauses, contemplating his next words. “…so, my proposition to you, is to join us and I will ensure your identity remain hidden. You will be fed. You will have a purposeful life. We will dock at the Crimson Port from time to time so you can visit your sister. It’ll be a challenge, but I’ll invest resources to aid in her rescue. No guarantees, however. If you wish, she can come aboard. And in return you will be our Healer. Our protector of sorts. The men and I discussed it while you were fulfilling your duties, and we are all in agreement. We would like you to remain on this vessel so we all have a chance at returning home to our loved ones each and every day. It is important to avoid casualties such as this.”

He removes the glove from his right hand and reveals the mutilated remains of his arm. Mostly bone with some sinew barely attached and only three skeletal digits. He raises it and flexes his fingers. They don’t move much. The remaining sinew pulls tight, and some of it cracks in doing so with some flecks falling away.

“What say you?”

I answer immediately without hesitation. “No.” There is nothing else to be said. My sister is, at best, being held captive, at worst, in line to be executed. I can’t stay on this vessel and leave it up to an acquaintance to rescue her. The captain may know who I am, but he doesn’t know me or the whole story. He’s not a McLarin. I am.

“Your answer is confident and without hesitation, which leads me to believe there is nothing that will change your mind. But I will ask, are you sure?”

I nod my head.

“Then I have a different proposition for you. One in which you have no choice. You will remain on this vessel with us and do as I bid. You will heal any ailments or injuries as they come about, and in return, I will feed you and give you quarters when we return to Greenport. My men are my family, Stone. Healers with your talent are rare. Never have I heard of a man healing instantaneously. Not as rapidly as you do. Astor does us well, but she leaves us scarred. Damaged. You. You will be able to prevent this.” He raises his skeletal arm again. “My men need you. All of Greenport needs you.”

“Why not hire a Healer from the capital? There are willing Lahyf that need purpose. Why would you do this to me? I saw the love letters on your desk. I know you’re a man of compassion. Don’t do this to me. Don’t.”

“Healers aren’t as common as you might think. At least, not talented ones. It’s a dwindling science. The Taoiseach has seen to that. Greenport needs you.”

“My sister needs me!” I shout. “I can’t put her life in your hands. You’re asking me to give up when she’s headed for her execution, sir. She has nobody else. Not you. Not your smugglers or thugs. Only me. I am her brother. I am her protector.”

“What is one girl compared to an entire village? Deny this, and I will hand you over to the Taoiseach myself. It is decided.”

Sometimes I wonder why I strive for the better. It seems as if nobody else in this world has a care. They see fear and run. And they tear the world down in doing so. I cannot let the passions of others, or lack thereof, drag me down. I am the cause of all this anarchy, and it is my responsibility to correct it. I must break away from the rest. I must find my independence so I can share it with the world.

22 Jaymes

W eeks have passed, and we travel still. Mostly through the dense forest of the Ancient Redwoods where the shadows hold, day or night. As we rise out of the trees to the peak of a hilltop, I sense a fear settling over the land like a lake-birthed mist in Autumn. We creep closer to the capital. The night is dark, with Cerise making only the occasional appearance to cast more shadows. A pack of wolves is unyielding in the distance with a constant howling. And they seem to be getting closer.

That is not what strikes my fear, however. The true culprit is the gap between us and the Crimson Capital. It’s getting smaller with every step. It’s closing in on me too rapidly. We