Free Faith Of The Dragon Tamer (Book 2) by Cole Pain Page B

memory of the air dissipated and the stew began to form a flavor.
    The water felt cool sliding down his throat. He had never tasted anything so good. It almost felt purifying – almost. Nothing would be able to purify his soul, not after the Oracle.
    Ren forced his mind from the images of the Oracle and surveyed the camp. Something was wrong. His eyes fell on Bentzen.
    Bentzen was supposed to be with Renee. Blessed Fates, was it already starting? Ren rose to his feet and stumbled to the swordsman. He fell before Bentzen and gripped his hands. The desolation in Bentzen’s eyes terrified him. Ren turned to the mounts tied a short distance away. Michel and Quinton’s horses weren’t in the group.
    He turned back to Bentzen. “What happened?”
    One of the Collective took Marva and Renee.” A silent tear fell down Bentzen’s cheek. “Tol died in my arms, Ren, from the pain.”
    Ren placed a hand on Bentzen’s shoulder, heart melting as the swordsman bowed his head and wept. When Ren spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. “The band didn’t work?”
    Bentzen shook his head. “It worked, my prince. The man took it from him. I didn’t notice until it was too late.”
    Ren turned to Galvin, the silent question in his eyes.
    “Quinton and Michel are after them. They left as soon as they heard, just after sundown.”
    Choice’s words echoed in his mind.
    It had begun.
    The Oracle’s meaning was clear.
    Galvin stepped forward, broadsword propped on one shoulder. “If you want to go after them I suggest we leave now. They were riding fast, but if we hurry we can catch them.”
    “No.” He said it too quickly. He saw the look of surprise on Galvin’s face and closed his eyes, trying to banish the image of his mother’s torture. This was his choice. This was what he had to choose. The Oracle had ordered him to allow fate to play her course. He couldn’t help his mother. He had to continue his search for the One.
    He understood. If he went back Ista may claim him and he would be unable to battle the darkness that would lead to the Lands ultimate destruction.
    He remembered the scene from the pyx where his mother laughed as people died around her. If he went back that was her fate. He felt the white hand encircling his neck. He couldn’t search for Renee.
    Choking back his anguish, he looked up at his friends’ stunned expressions.
    “It’s probably better,” Galvin said. “Michel and Quinton would be the Abyss to catch.”
    “Burning cinders, Ren,” Neki said, trying to lighten the mood. “Those two lit out of here as if the children of the Mynher were after them. Fates, they didn’t even take their packs. I had to chase after them until they slowed enough to let me hand them over.”
    Ren managed a smile before he buried his face in his palms, unwilling to meet his friends’ eyes. All thought he had just betrayed his mother. And they were right.
    But he couldn’t tell them why. He couldn’t reveal what the Oracle had told him.
    Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he looked up into Markum’s worried gaze.
    “Are you all right, Ren?”
    Ren blinked up at him, specters of the Oracle dancing in his eyes. “I’ve never been worse, Markum. I’ve never been worse.”
    - - -
    As Korin approached the inner ward of the castle, he felt the noose tightening. The presence was a heavy constant in his mind, a force he couldn’t deny. One of the Collective swung the gate open without even asking his name or interest, and Korin didn’t volunteer the information. He passed by without a smile, a nod, or a word.
    Ista already knew he was there. He didn’t have to say or do anything to gain entrance to Stardom. His life was Ista’s to command. After she used the Red Eye on the Chosen, she would use it on him. As of today, his life didn’t matter.
    All that mattered was saving Marianne.
    He hadn’t eaten or slept since leaving Fest. He had stopped caring after leaving Lorlier’s family. Salvation would never be