The Whispers of the Fallen by J. D. Netto Read Free Book Online Page A

of the table.
    We were respectfully silent for a while when he suddenly clapped his hands and shouted,
    “ Bring in the food! ”
    The doors of the dining hall immediately burst wide open and servants entered carrying enormous platters. At least the servants appeared to be ordinary humans. The platters were lavishly layered with a variety of meats, vegetables, fruits, desserts and pastries.
    “Is this elaborate dinner all because of us?” Demetre whispered, looking at me from the corner of his eyes.
    I looked around at the table and simply smiled. “I don’t know, but I must say…I really don’t mind.” A soft laugh followed my answer.
    To our surprise, a very merry tune started to play. To my left, there were two masters of music dressed in very colorful costumes. Their hands used a bow to skillfully play their instruments, which were etched with floral patterns and inlaid with precious gems.
    “It is an honor to meet you both, Isaac and Demetre,” a raspy deep voice spoke from behind. “Allow me to introduce myself to you both. My name is Ely. Are you finding our accommodations suitable?”
    “Yes, very much!” Demetre replied with a mouth full of pork and chicken. I shook my head and scoffed.
    “Yes, thank you very much for your concern. Where are you from, sir?” I asked him, taking a nibble from the pork.
    “I have been everywhere. I am one of the very men chosen by the Creator to guard the Diary from the beginning of all things. It’s amazing to observe how the world is starting to change so radically because of a wee little book.”
    “Little?” I asked, incredulous. “From what I have seen today, this book is anything but little.”
    “Little to those who have more power than others. Trust me when I say this—once you encounter true power, the big things grow strangely dim before your eyes.”
    “Who are you talking to, Isaac?” Devin asked from the other side of the table.
    “To this gentleman, of course!” Demetre replied.
    Devin was perplexed.
    “What is wrong?” I asked, looking around.
    “There is no one here…no one here but us,” Devin replied with a confused look. Adawnas shot Devin a cold stare and bowed her head.
    I looked again and there was nobody.
    “I am sure someone was here.” I stared at Demetre, confounded.
    “I saw him, Isaac…with my own two eyes. I know there was someone here!” Demetre affirmed.
    “Attention!” Athalas shouted as he clapped his hands. “It is a delight as always to have dinner with all of you here tonight; members of this Council who since the dawn of days have been guarding the Diary and those who keep it. Tonight, we have three very special guests with us. I would like the Council to personally meet Isaac Khan and Demetre Aliward, and to greet once again our old son, Devin.” They all applauded.
    “Brave ones that have come here to bring the Diary to its rightful place. It might be a surprise to the both of you, but we have been guarding you for eighteen years.”
    I surveyed the dinner guests and Adawnas’ fearful expression caught my attention. She sat quite still, her eyes fixed on Athalas.
    “Through our mighty gifts, we have been able to protect you and the safety of the Diary.”
    “Yeah…they have done a terrific job. Look at where our parents are…” Demetre mumbled.
    “In order to honor you, we have personally prepared a rare delicacy. It is the Purple Soul, the purest wine you will ever find!” Two servants approached us. They brought in two golden grails with the emblem of a dark lion and handed them to Demetre and me.
    “Now a toast—to the brave ones!” He lifted up his glass of wine; the other members raised their glasses in unison.
    “Do not drink it!” Adawnas shouted suddenly.
    Everyone froze.
    “ Do not drink it, ” she repeated.
    “I beg your pardon, Adawnas.” Athalas spoke in a harsh tone, completely opposite from the soft, kind voice I had heard before.
    “I will not allow this to take place,