Free Healed by Hope by Jim Melvin Page B

the fiends still clung to the stone along its banks. Vultures and rats, slow to move because of their bloated stomachs, barely found the energy to get out of their way.
    “It’s a long walk to Tējo, my love,” Torg said. “Are you up to it?” Then he looked down at her belly, which already seemed to have a pronounced pouch.
    “The exercise will do me good,” Laylah said. Then she laughed. “As long as we don’t have to run all the way there.”
    Torg also laughed. “I think our days of running are over. No evil exists in all of Triken that can challenge us now.”
    “Except, perhaps, for Grandmother,” Laylah said, her voice suddenly wary.
    “Vedana is more powerful than I gave her credit for,” Torg said. “But she is no match for both of us.”
    “Let’s hope so,” Laylah said. But for reasons she could not quite define, the thought of Vedana interfering in their lives remained frightening.
    “For the first time in a long time, the forces of good are superior,” Torg said. “By this time next year, I will venture forth and take stock of what evil remains so that it is not permitted to grow again to unmanageable levels.”
    Laylah sighed. “And here I thought we might actually be able to enjoy some time together as husband and wife.”
    Torg chuckled. “You’re right . . . I’m getting ahead of myself, as my Vasi master used to say. My plan is to spend as much time with you as possible. Tējo is beautiful, once you get to know her.”
    “I look forward to being introduced,” Laylah said.

Search for redemption

14
    ELU STOOD ON A lonely street near the center of the fortress Nissaya, wondering where Ugga had gone and why. Suddenly a cattle dog approached, yapping in high-pitched frenzy. Then came the owner, limping slightly, face flushed. Elu leaned down and patted the blue-furred dog on its broad head. He had grown to love the tough little guy and his companions and looked forward to their spirited greetings.
    Essīkka smiled at both of them. “Sir Elu! Sir Elu!” the man called as he approached. Word had circulated around the fortress of the Svakaran’s former exploits, including his temporary employ in Queen Rajinii’s personal guard.
    “What is it, Sam?” Elu called back. “Is there a problem?”
    “Yes . . . yes . . . I mean, no!” Sam said, halting a single pace from the Svakaran. “My dogs are on to a scent. I think they’ve found the bear!”
    That was all Elu needed to hear. He and Essīkka received permission from Commander Sugati to leave the fortress, and by late afternoon—the second day of full sunshine since the lifting of the darkness—they hurried out of Nissaya with Sam and a dozen of his best dogs and headed north toward the foothills of Mahaggata. The cattle dogs led them on a merry chase, noses to the ground, tails wagging frenetically. At dusk, they had already reached the border of the trees, and they walked in the starlight until midnight before camping in a hollow near the opening of the cave that led from the catacombs beneath Nissaya.
    The following morning, they continued due north, entering a rolling land of hills, hollows, and coves liberally sprinkled with hardwoods, hemlocks, and pines. The leaves of the hardwoods were ablaze with color, and Elu was reminded of late fall when in truth it still was spring. Many of the leaves had already fallen, and they crinkled beneath their feet. If Ugga was anywhere near, it would be difficult to catch him unawares.
    At noon, the dogs cornered a Tyger even larger than Ugga, and Sam had to yell and whistle for half a bell to get them to withdraw. Afterward, Sam was angry at them for their uncharacteristic disobedience, and the dogs held their heads low and tucked their silky tails. Elu couldn’t help but chuckle, but he tried to do so without Sam noticing.
    That night, they camped again beneath the stars. The moon was a sliver, and it set not long after midnight. In the morning, they continued on toward the