Ritual of the Stones (Ballad of Frindoth) Read Free

However, never before have three stones attached themselves to one
town.” He let the significance of the statement hang in the air before adding,
“Be careful, Marybeth.”
     

Chapter 2
    Marybeth
stretched in the midday sun as her horse drank from the river. It was hot and
all traces of the thunderstorm had evaporated. She had made good progress
despite the fact there was no real need to. The stones were located in
Longcombe, which was less than three days’ ride. Midsummer’s day when the
Ritual would take place was still over two weeks away.
    Iskandar’s
words echoed in her ears. It was unusual for three stones to be located in the
same place, but Marybeth was unsure of the significance. Iskandar certainly
seemed to insinuate there was some meaning behind it though. She had not wanted
to appear stupid and question him as to what he was implying, but now wished she
had.
    Not
that the leader of the Order could be trusted. A surge of anger swept over her
as thoughts of her childhood resurfaced. She forced them from her mind. Now was
not the time.
    Thirst
quenched, her horse ambled over to where she stood and watched her. When she
made no move to him, he snorted and then wandered off to stand in the shade of
some nearby trees.
    She
regarded the horse for a short while. He was an impressive stallion. His brown
coat shone in the glow of the sun giving definition to his powerful legs. She
was not affectionate with horses and did not believe in getting attached to an
animal used for transport. This stallion had been with her for over two years,
though, and had served her well. Maybe she should give him a name.
    Her
head was beginning to hurt with the myriad of thoughts racing through her mind.
She went over to the river and splashed her face. The icy water did little to
ease her concerns but the shock of the coldness felt good on her skin.
    She
watched a school of fish swim aimlessly. They darted along a short distance and
then stopped as if forgetting where they were going in such a hurry. I can
identify with that, the young woman thought. She was racing to a village to
deliver devastating news to three families and make sure they attended the Ritual
when her true purpose for joining the Order was to stop the Ritual from
happening.
    Was
that true, though? Did she really care for the lives of the families she was
about to disrupt? Before she joined the Order she could say with honesty that
she did. In the years that followed, however, Iskandar had opened her eyes to
far greater things. He had taught her skills that set her far above the average
commoner. She had learned that whilst it was shocking when death occurred to an
individual, the bigger picture must always be considered. Did one death affect
Frindoth in the great scheme of things?
    She
continued to watch the fish. They had now all turned and were making their way
against the flow of the current. Were people any different than fish? She
dropped a rock into the water and watched them disperse, before coming back
together and continuing their pointless journey. Frindoth would do the same
once the Ritual had dropped its rock on it.
    “It’s
tough, isn’t it?”
    Marybeth
jumped to her feet, startled by the man’s voice. He was standing by her horse
stroking his mane. How had she not heard him? The man had a pleasant face which
was partially covered by long blond locks. He wore a red calf-length tunic over
jade hosen. The combination did not match but oddly did not look out of place
on the man.
    “Get
away from my horse,” Marybeth said as her eyes located her sword resting against
the tree trunk next to the stranger. She cursed her stupidity at leaving
herself so defenceless.
    The
man removed his hands from the horse and kept them raised in a show of peace.
Not knowing what to do next, she went over and began to saddle the horse. The
horse shifted as it sensed Marybeth’s misgivings.
    “Please
do not leave on my account. I was just trying to empathise with how