Finding The Soul Bridge (The Soul Fire Saga Book 1) Read Free Page B

the crystal ball as it chanted exacting verses. It did not have any friend or acquaintance in the world. It had stayed hidden in a forest dwelling as it toiled with its own agenda for longer than it could remember. Interacting with real people was going to be a challenge after such a long absence from it. It knew that this was its last chance to succeed at the one thing that it had wanted so badly for so long.

3
     
     
    “Jem, Jem, come on.” said Kaylah in a gentle whisper. “Drink your hum.”
    Kaylah sat on the side for a moment as she held out a drink for Jem. She had been asked by the town nurse to be her apprentice, to help with some of the nursing tasks. She was fond of Jem but although they were good friends, he had seemed uninterested in romance.
    Jem tried to open his eyes. His eyelids were stuck and he felt awful. He knew it was wise to drink the honey-like substance found in ant nests in the forests. It hurt to do anything and he just wished he was dead.
    “Thank you,” he said and drank. As soon as he saw Kaylah’s face, his own split into a smile, then a grimace for the pain in his cheek. Kaylah was a good natured young lady and the apprentice to the town nurse. She and Jem had been friends since childhood and their friendship had held strong over the years.
    “Hey, the first sign of recovery. How are you feeling?” said Kaylah.
    “I feel like I was attacked by a bear.” said Jem. “Say, how long have I been here? It all seems so confusing. How did I get here? Oh, where is Thist?” Jem was about to leap out of bed.
    “Relax Jem. Thist is fine.” Kylah pushed Jem on his chest so he could stay in bed. Her hand was met by little resistance as the sudden rush reminded Jem of the condition he was in.
    “You’ve been here three days. Thist carried you out of the forest, and he is now being helped by Tayah for the last hour. Does that answer your questions?”
    “Yes. I mean no! What’s Tayah helping him with?”
    “Oh! She’s helping him with everything. Last I saw, they were tending his birds.”
    Jem sat silently, looking at Kaylah’s face. He felt surprised by the new feelings he was having, so suddenly and so strong. Kaylah was beautiful with long straight blond hair, blue eyes, ample breasts and a figure that turned heads. She walked with grace and she had an infectious smile that everyone loved. Jem had known Kaylah for as long as he could remember, but strangely he had not felt any real attraction to her before.
    Kaylah pulled her scarf across her breasts and said in a shy voice, “Don’t stare. Drink your hum. I will go tell Thist that you are awake. He’s been asking about you.”
    Kaylah walked to the door. She turned to Jem and said, “Would you like anything?”
    “I’m kind of hungry.”
    “Kind of? You haven’t eaten in three days. I’d say you’re a little more than ‘kind of’ hungry. I’ll send you something.” Kaylah left, clicking the door shut.
    Thist tugged at Jem’s leg as he strolled into Jem’s room. “Hey stranger. Sit up and eat something.” He handed Jem a steaming plate.
    Jem looked at the food, “A tavern lunch? My favorite.” he mumbled sarcastically. He sat up and immediately felt regret for the sudden movement.
    “Fever really got you, hey?” said Thist
    “Yes.” said Jem. “Kaylah tells me that you and Tayah are getting frisky.”
    “Man, it’s the strangest thing.” said Thist. “Since the forest, I can’t stop thinking about her, like I’m under a magician’s spell or something. And talking of magic, you remember that thing we found in the forest?”
    “Oh! Yes! Look at what it did to me.” said Jem. “I’m lucky I still have my right eye,” said Jem through a good mouthful of rice, finely chopped meat and boiled vegetables.
    Thist jumped up from the chair, closed the door and spoke in a hushed tone. “No you idiot.” said Thist as he produced the diamond from a small pouch in his pocket. “This.”
    “Wow.” exclaimed