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

accept the inevitable and stop chasing old fairytales,” he said with a wave of his hand. 
    Contempt took over Solomon’s pained expression, and all of the muscles in his body tensed. “No, Talis, it is time you accepted the inevitable. Olleb-Yelfra struggles, and we cannot turn our backs on her. Not when she has entrusted us with so much power. You’re still strong! Please, look to your soul. Do what is asked of you. Our land has suffered enough,” said Solomon. He grabbed Talis by the shoulders and shook him violently as if to will the sense into him. “Our fate is now.”
    “I’m so sorry, but I can’t, I won’t. I wish for no trouble,” he choked. He pushed away Solomon’s hands with weak effort.
    Solomon straightened his back. “Well, trouble has found you.”
    “Is that a threat?” Talis asked, standing to his feet. His fingers twitched by his side. Solomon met his stance. He stood much taller, but something fierce shone in Talis’ eyes evening them out.
    “I mean, Talis , you owe me this favor,” said Solomon, his voice thick with fervor.
    In an instant, he unsheathed the double-swords at his back. The silver of the blades curved, and an inscription glimmered in the light of the fire. He brought the serrated metal a pinch away from Talis’ neck, holding the jeweled hilt with two steady hands, unmovable.
    “What say you now?” asked Solomon through clenched teeth.
    “I say you’re a fool to come here this night,” said Talis. He never even flinched.
    Solomon’s body clenched as Talis’ fingers wrapped around his wrists. The skin-on-skin contact somehow sent a powerful surge of pain through his muscles. His limbs writhed, and his swords crashed to the ground. He fell to the floor alongside them.
    Talis stood over him, his eyes narrowed as he slid his fingers across his skin once more. Solomon convulsed again, howling in agony from his touch.
    “I knew you were still in there,” said Solomon through the pain. His teeth clenched and his body contorted.
    Talis gave a deep exhalation and released as Solomon’s body relaxed. He pushed himself to a seated position on the floor, rubbing his sore body.
    “I won’t deny that I owe you my life,” said Talis. “If this is the favor you ask of me, then I’ll help you to repay my debt. But this is the last time, agreed?” said Talis, his expression defeated and grave. Solomon smiled, knowing Talis still wielded his powers.
    “Fair is fair,” said Solomon as Talis pulled him to his feet. He sheathed his swords and made to leave. “We must hurry. If we’re too late…” His face fell, and he threw open the door.
    Talis donned his shoes and followed suit. They disappeared into the black night. As the midnight snow engulfed them in a white blanket, a young girl peered out of a circular glass-paned window from where the two men just left. Her sapphire eyes searched for their footsteps, but the snow concealed them in the night.
    The men dashed through the blizzard at a quickened pace. As they twisted up the road, they passed a wide, fenced-in space. A large sign hung on a stake. Solomon squinted, trying to read the sign through the snowfall.
    He saw ‘ The Field ’ carved in white letters. Tall, barren trees sprouted up under the shade of the mountain. Solomon recognized it and pushed faster, the storm helping to muffle their footsteps. Talis, although a bit older than Solomon, never fell behind.
    “This way!” shouted Solomon over the howling wind. They headed for the mouth of the Vanishing Tunnels where a guard slumped in the snow. He looked as if he slept if not for the trickle of blood that crept from the side of his head and dyed the white floor red.
    “Trying to be discreet?” said Talis with a stern look.
    Solomon just kept running.
    They entered the dark tunnels, a haven from the blistering wind, but the cold still found them there. Solomon bent down and retrieved a small lantern he had stowed. He lit it with a match from his pocket,