The Auric Insignia by Perry Horste Read Free Book Online Page A

Why are we stopping out here?
         - I’m going to check inside, stay here until I return.
         - Check for what?
         - Candy and rainbows, what do you think?
         Before Roarke could catch his breath and voice a retort, she had already darted out of the relative darkness and into the open. She was beautiful to watch, Roarke admitted to himself. Moving with a grace far superior to that of any human, she resembled a cat hunting a mouse, only she looked closer in relation to a mouse than to a feline. Opening the door without so much as a hint of sound, she proceeded to go inside. Roarke sat watching tensely for a minute before Korri’s familiar shape reemerged from within, ushering him forward. With a sigh of relief, he stood and joined her by the entrance to the cabin.
         - Get your things.
         - What? What do you mean?
         - We are leaving this place. Pack what supplies you might need, tools and so on, but pack light and do it quick.
         - Okay, what bullshit is this, huh? I helped you question Brock and basically forfeited my life as I know it. I did like you asked, I think I deserve an explanation.
         - This is not the time nor the place, we have to leave now.
         - To go where, and to do what?! Will it be dangerous, will I ever see my home again?
         - Yes it will, you may die, we very well both may, but I can promise you this. Stay here and you most certainly will perish.
         The look in her eyes, though foreign in their appearance, was one he recognized. She looked at him with worry, and genuine fear, for both their sakes.
         - Okay, give me a minute.
         Roarke went inside, leaving Korri outside to keep a look out. He stood in the main room by the table, letting his glance roll from one side of the room to the next. Once he had made up a mental list of items would would come in handy, Roarke set out to collect them. A leather rucksack, into which he packed some dried meat, not knowing when he would be able to get a proper meal, he also packed a blanket, his fire steel and a knife. Lastly, Roarke packed the steel wire snare that had started this upheaval, questioning himself as to why. but still continuing to do so. Once the rucksack was done. Roarke slung his bow over his shoulder and tied the quiver around his torso. Before he made his way out, he retrieved his one handed battle axe from the bottom of a footlocker of assorted junk. Blowing the dust from the handle, he slid it through the metal ring attached to his belt. Realizing it was probably dull from lack of use and care, Roarke promptly packed down his whetstone as well.
         He was done, standing there in his house, the heart of his life. A knot was growing in his chest, accompanied by a feeling he knew all too well. Roarke didn’t care for change, he liked his life, even though from an objective glance it probably seemed poor and simple. Now, because of what had happened, the  choices that had been made, by him or by others, he was being torn from what he knew. His limbs grew restless, wanting to shake off the overwhelming feelings he was experiencing. He felt like he didn’t know himself, not understanding what he had done, and why he had done it. Remembering Jenny’s tears running down his hand, guilt washed over him. Closing his eyes, Roarke wished the nightmare would end.
         - Are you done yet? The sooner we leave, the better.
         Roarke’s eyes shot open and he faced Korri, standing in the doorway.
         - Yeah, I’m finished.
         - Are you okay?
         - Yeah I’m fine, let’s go.
         - Roarke?
         Roarke took a big shaky breath.
         - Yeah?
         - You’re crying.
         Noticing his damp cheeks, Roarke’s anxiety took a firmer grasp around his throat, forcing him to take shallow breaths. In an attempt to regain mastery over himself, he once again closed his eyes. In the murky confines of his own mind, an