Free Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1) by Ashleigh Bello Page A

you deny the path we’ve been set on tonight?” Solomon leaned forward in the chair.
    Talis pushed himself onto his feet, still facing the fire pit with his hands pulled behind his back. “Fate has not been kind to me, so I’ve no faith in her.” He spoke in a whisper, pausing to warm his small hands near the flames. They looked blackened and scarred but steady nonetheless. Solomon stood and came to place his hands on Talis’ shoulders.
    “And to I?” Solomon lowered his head. “She has shown little mercy, but now I can see the light. Talis, please—”
    “No.”
    “You must listen! I’m in dire need of your help,” said Solomon, his face contorting as he slumped back down in the chair.
    Talis waved his hand for silence, and Solomon quieted, his face turning sullen. “This girl you speak of… your apprentice. Do you honestly believe she’s worth all the trouble?” he asked. His eyes narrowed, searching for a hint of folly in Solomon’s expression.
    “I do,” said Solomon. His lips set in a firm line.
    “And that is to say that the rumors speak a truth. This we don’t know for certain, Solomon,” he said, avoiding his burning scrutiny. He relaxed back in his chair and took a sip of the steaming tea he had brewed earlier.
    “It’s no rumor, and we’re living proof of that! There are people organizing, people like us who are just waiting for the right time. You know this.” Solomon’s voice turned cold as he clutched to the arms of the chair. Rising from his seat, he took a step towards him with fists clenched at his sides.
    Talis looked up from his tea, shaking his head. “And how can you be so sure there’ll ever be a right time?” said Talis, not intimidated in the least.
    “That story is much too long for a time like this.” Solomon bent down to kneel at Talis’ feet, taking his hand in his. He demanded his full attention with a look of agony stitched on his face. “Brother, please. Show me your courage. We need all the help we can get, and she’s… special. I can feel it in my heart. You must trust me on this.”
    Talis lowered his head, taking another drink. 
    “There’s still hope out there,” continued Solomon. “She’s reminded me of that.
    “Yet you tell me she lies on her deathbed? Humph,” Talis pursed his lips. 
    “There’s still good in this world, and I made a vow to protect what little is left. As did you! You must remember what we fight for,” said Solomon. His eyes softened a little as he remembered something distant.
    “Fight for?” Talis relinquished Solomon’s hold and shouted, “I fight for nothing now. That past is behind me! I won’t help you.” He tore his eyes away only to get lost again in the dying fire, the flames reflecting in his glassy stare.
    “Then you’re a coward,” replied Solomon as he rose to his feet. He looked like a giant hovering over a child. “I know your soul is calling for retribution just like mine. Turning your face away from the battle can win no war!”
    “I’m running from nothing. This is my life now. I’m retired, Solomon. You’re retired. We shouldn’t trifle with these things anymore,” he said.
    “Look around you,” said Solomon. “Your past is your present, and your present is your past. We’re all slaves in a world where children are taken from their mothers and caged at birth. Don’t you remember the Hell you faced when you were considered a number within these mountains?” His voice began a steady rise as he unleashed all of his fury and pain. He added, “You may have earned your rights and your citizenship to the Olleb, but for what? Nothing’s changed. The horrors are just being relived for us by others now. Is this the life you imagined then?”
    Talis shook his head. “This life is void of anything worth fighting for. I know we tried our hand at uncovering some good, but we aren’t young anymore. The hand we’ve been dealt is luxurious compared to what others have suffered. It’s time you