Free The Crowned (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga, Book 6) by Jeremy Laszlo Page B

plague bringer. She was mankind’s worst adversary, and perhaps worse, she
had undermined her own husband, making worse that which he had fought to
prevent. He had died trying to save mankind from the evil gods that used them,
and she had spat on his efforts.
    Sara began sobbing, the realization reminding her of her
grief, her loss, and all the evil she had done. For a long time she cried
freely, apologizing through her sobs to Seth for warping the gift of life he
gave her and unknowingly using it against him. The tree people watcher her
silently, allowing her to get all of the emotion out. Finally, when the sun lit
the clearing marking it daytime, Sara’s sobs came to an end. She saw only one
solution.
    Hardening her resolve, she turned her face back to the tree
man who looked upon her through the living cage.
    “Kill me,” she said, her eyes and nerves steeled.
    Long moments passed and again creaks and groans suffused the
air as if the trees communicated amongst themselves. When the sounds subsided
the weathered tree man’s face became animated once more.
    “All life is precious. Even yours, Plague bringer. Already
our destinies have been altered by our meeting. Your fate does not lie here,
for killing you would alter the fate of all those you have touched. We will not
kill you, Plague bringer, for to harm you would be to harm life, no matter what
your deeds have been in the past.”
    So it was decided. The tree creatures would not kill her,
and she could not in good conscious take her own life. Seth had risked his life
on too many occasions to save her, for her to simply throw away the gift he had
given her. She needed another way to make it all right again. She needed to
carry on what Seth believed in. She needed a purpose, but even if she had one,
she was a prisoner.
    “What is to become of me then if you will not kill me? What
am I supposed to do?” she asked.
    Many moments of groans and creaks, followed by a little
rustling of branches and leaves later, the tree creature uprighted himself once
more, no longer directly in Sara’s face.
    “We do not choose the paths of other lives, nor do we decide
their fates. It is up to each life to do as it chooses.”
    “What does that mean?” Sara asked for the third time.
    “You are free to choose your own destiny, Plague bringer,
and through it, find your own fate.”
    With that, the great thorn tree that held her rustled as the
branches that formed her bars parted, its thorns turning slowly to face away
from her. Leaping from the tree she landed lithely upon the ground, and turning
she faced not only her captor, but all those tree people gathered.
    “I don’t know what I am supposed to do. I haven’t… um…
chosen a destiny yet.”
    “Then stay among the guardians of Shadra, keep in the depths
of Shadra forest until you find your destiny, Plague bringer.”
    Looking around Sara decided that the offer was a kind
gesture coming from the gentle race of giant plant people. It was daylight and
already her eyes were growing weary of the light. If it grew any brighter she
would have to suffer the burning pain it brought. Bowing low to her captors, or
perhaps saviors, she turned and strode into what remained of the fortress to do
some exploring of both the ruins and her own heart.
    She could not stay long. Of that she was certain. She needed
to find a way to fix what she had done. A way to carry on what Seth believed
was the answer. She needed a plan. She would stay until night and then begin
the journey back to Valdadore.
    * * * * *
    Garret stirred and sat up abruptly, thrashing his head back
and forth to gather his bearings. Light streamed in from a window, telling him
that morning had come and gone already, though how much time had passed was a
mystery. Spinning upon his bottom he placed his feet upon the floor, and using
his hands shoved himself up and off of the unfamiliar cot.
    Hands. Not hand . Garret looked down, appraising his
restored arm and hand with a