A Whisper After Midnight by Christian Warren Freed Read Free Book Online Page B

simply…are. But that is unimportant. The Old Mother commands your audience and you would do well to follow.”
    Deflated, Bahr dropped his hand back on the table and leaned back in his chair. “Very well, taken , where can I find this Old Mother?”
    “Come with me, but only two may go. She is not one for large groups and the message will be diluted if there are more than two.” The taken edged back towards the door.
    “I do not like this,” Boen rumbled.
    Rekka added, “I agree. He smells of foulness.”
    “The taken are many things but deceptive is not one of them. I shall accompany you,” Anienam said. “If what he says is true we have had dealings before.”
    “This smells bad, like Rekka said,” Dorl said. “Could be a trap.”
    “No, I have heard of this Old Mother. Some say she has visions. What she says might prove useful in the coming days,” the wizard said.
    Bahr finished the last of his eggs, the golden yolks running down the stubble on his chin. “Very well. Let us get this over with. I am anxious to be out of this town. And someone make sure Groge gets enough food. Wouldn’t do to let him starve out there.”
    The taken smiled and opened the door.
     
     
    Tucked away in a forgotten part of old Fedro, the Old Mother’s home was small and unassuming. Moss covered the walls to the roof. Vines and angry bushes lining the house set back most curious passersby. Candlelight glowed through the gloomy windows. Smoke gusted from the low chimney, dark and fetid. The taken ignored their cautious looks, leading the pair up to the front door.
    “I can go no further. The Old Mother awaits within,” it said.
    Bahr and Anienam exchanged wary glances but said nothing. Any ill that might happen was bound to whether they wanted it or not. By the time Bahr looked back to the taken it was gone. A dark cloud settled over his head. He started to speak but was cut off when the cottage door opened suddenly.
    “It seems we go in,” Anienam mused.
    On edge, Bahr grunted and pushed inside. His nose itched from the overpowering stench of so many herbs and spices. Gloom clung to walls and ceiling, impenetrable and oppressive. He immediately felt confined. He felt trapped in a cave. How can anyone choose to live like this? A lesser life might be had in better places.
    An ancient voice crept through the gloom. “You disparage my home, Bahr, son of Brogon.”
    “How do you know my name?” he asked defensively.
    “Bah, I know many things the light never finds. Come closer so that I may see you.”
    He waited for Anienam’s encouragement before delving further into the cottage. Odd, exotic plants hung from the rafters. Flowers he’d never seen sprouted from rows of pots along the walls. Very little furniture filled the interior. A broken down chair by the fireplace. A small table under the largest window. Dirt covered the floor, leading Bahr to believe no one had bothered cleaning this place in a very long time, if ever.
    Something dark brown scurried away to the far corner. Bahr ignored it and moved towards the sound of the voice. He didn’t know why but his heart beat a little faster. There was a strange power at work here. He felt the power rippling across his flesh. Electrifying his bones. Different from the wizard, this power came from the air. He felt the currents pass through his nostrils, into his lungs. Nausea quickly spread. His head began to ache, a dull throbbing echoing deep in his mind. Anienam placed a hand on his shoulder and he immediately felt warmth flow through him.
    “Thank you,” he said without understanding. The magical effects began wearing off.
    Anienam nodded and kept walking. They found the Old Mother in her bed, too old and fragile to get up. Wiry white hair hung down well past her shoulders. Wrinkles distorted her face. Bahr could just make out the thick hairs on her chin and upper lip. Her teeth were broken, crooked, and stained dark brown. Everything about her screamed she should have