The Winterstone Plague (The Carrion Cycle) Read Free

children that sprawled before them at that very moment. There, before many of Solstice’s citizens, was an old man draped in a black cloak and robes. A white collar was pulled tightly around his neck, and long, wispy silver hair extended well beyond his middle, hanging limply even as a gentle and cool breeze wafted by. He held in his left hand an open book; he used the fingers of his right hand to point at the crowd as he spoke. Valthian struggled against the whining breeze to hear his words, but they were too far away from the action to make do.
    “What is the meaning of this?” Tomas asked. “Do either of you recognize him?”
    “I do not,” Valthian replied. “He wears the robes of a learned man—perhaps he is a scholar—but his face is not one that I know.”
    “Don’t look at me,” Elyna whispered. “I am but a simple blacksmith’s daughter.”
    Valthian smiled. “You are many things my love, but simple is not one of them.”
    “Would the both of you stop your bickering for a single minute? It might be wise for us to see what this man’s intentions are.”
    “Tomas, for once I agree with you. This serious tone you have taken is quite becoming. Maybe you should try it more often.”
    “I am afraid comedy does not suit you as well,” Tomas said. “Now, shall we get to the bottom of this or are we going to sit around squawking like mother hens?”
    As they neared the ancient stone podium that was historically used for general village announcements and public meetings, the old man’s words became clearer. Townsfolk gathered around him, some shouting words of agreement. Most of them were waving their hands and jeering as he spoke. From the look of things, this was an event that could go one of two ways. While the people of Solstice were generally peaceful, no gathering of peasants was ever above rioting. As the sons of Lord Philip, the job of keeping the peace fell upon both Tomas and Valthian. The whole of the village loved them both; it was a fact that often helped matters far more than it hindered them.
    “Where is your king now?” Valthian heard the stranger ask. “What has Randil done for any of you? I’ll tell you. He has done absolutely nothing to keep you safe! When was the last time he even bothered to send a tax collector?”
    “I pay my taxes the same as every man,” came a voice from the crowd. “Just who are you to pass judgment on the king?”
    “I understand your concern. Please, just hear me out. Listen, if only for a moment’s time.”
    The shouts from the stranger’s audience grew louder.
    “We don’t even know who you are!”
    “Where are you from?”
    “Go back to wherever you came from and take your bloody book with you!”
    Tomas touched Valthian softly on the shoulder. “This is going sour quickly. We must do something.”
    “Agreed. You keep an eye on Elyna. I’ll make swift work of this bunch.”
    Tomas took Elyna by the arm and guided her back to a safe distance. Valthian took a deep breath, exhaled, and stepped forward.
    “Good sir. Is there a problem I can help you with?”
    The old man blinked and shut the book he was holding.
    “And who might you be, young one?”
    “I am Valthian of house De’Fathi, son of Lord Philip. Now that you have my name, will you do a young country noble the same honor?”
    He lowered his eyes and tilted his head, giving the merest indication of a bow. “I am Father Abytheos Haym.”
    “Father?” Valthian asked. “So you are a man of faith.”
    “I am,” Abytheos replied. “I serve the One God.”
    “I see. Please forgive my ignorance, but I know nothing about a religion with a One God . We have many gods in these lands.”
    “The One God is the only true god of Alvanshia. All others are false in his eyes!”
    “Father,” Valthian said. “You are most welcome in Solstice, but you must understand one thing; we do not think well of men who come here merely to insult the beliefs of our neighbors. Is this what you mean to