The Calling (Book 7 of The Blood & Brotherhood Saga) (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) by Jeremy Laszlo Read Free Book Online Page A

introductions complete, it was only moments before they were all three off across the fields south of Valdadore.
    * * * * *
    Ashton rode on in silence for the first few hours, not that he could shout over the hooves of the horses anyhow. The ride was thrilling, even more so, knowing that they were traveling back to where his story truly began. Perhaps not quite that far… but close enough. If they were headed towards Raven’s keep, he couldn’t help but wonder if he could convince Garret to continue on a little further in order to see the battlefield they had fought upon just months prior.
    Since that time, he had adjusted to his life rather well after rejoining the rest of the humans on their return journey to Valdadore. There was much to learn, including his abilities and limitations, but with his stubbornness he had done well to master the art of blessed healing. He had been praying every day for an opportunity such as this one, and now it had arrived. At last he would be more or less alone with the king of Valdadore and could use his knowledge of the king and his newfound understanding of his purpose in life. This was it. It was now or never. The goddess had warned him to be diligent in his watch for an opening beneath the king’s steel skin. He had, and now he was being rewarded.
    Glancing across the fields, he spotted a pond a short ways off of their current course. Thinking to use it as an excuse, he cleared his throat and turned towards the king.
    “My mount is frothing, I think he’s thirsty!” he shouted, pointing towards the pond.
    With a simple nod, Garret assured him of his understanding and he followed as the king and dwarf veered their mounts onto a new course. Nearing the pond within moments, they climbed down from their mounts and guided them each to the water’s edge. It was a bit intimidating, being so thin and frail among the thick and armored, but Ashton shrugged it off and did his best to relax.
    “What do you think we will find, Garret?” Ashton asked as his horse began to drink.
    “I suspect we will find what the rumors say. All rumors start with some truth. This stinks of my brother’s sorcery and Ishanya’s corruption.”
    “If it is true, then I imagine it is tied to your brother, however, I’d not be so quick to blame a goddess,” Ashton replied.
    “Why? She has done our kingdom no good. She has corrupted even the hearts and minds of children who now blindly follow my brother into ruin.”
    “What you say is true, Garret, but it can also be said that were it not for the power lent to Seth by Ishanya, Valdadore would have fallen not far from where we travel now and would be under the rule of orcs and goblins.”
    “I suppose that argument could be made.” Garret said, spitting on the ground.
    “So perhaps it is not the goddess that is at fault, but the vessel through which her power was channeled.”
    Ashton watched Garret shift from one leg to the other, the subject making him a little uncomfortable. Good. He needed to be on edge.
    “You know, I did a lot of studying on Ishanya after Seth revealed his powers and once, long ago, she was known as the goddess of lost souls.”
    “And what is that supposed to mean?” Zorbin chimed in, sounding gruff and angry through his beard.
    “According to our histories, in the past, she blessed warriors such as yourselves, and often accepted worshippers that other gods had denied. Perhaps she intended well by allowing Seth the power that he wields, but he has used it for ill purposes, twisting and abusing it.”
    “Would she not, then, strip the power from him?” Garret asked.
    “Perhaps, but look at what it has done to her following. Yes, his deeds go awry and we face demons brought to life, but they have also given the goddess renown. Everyone knows of Ishanya now, and maybe through the increase in her following she is seeking new champions to right the wrongs your brother has committed in her name.”
    “You think this could be