Free [Shadowed Path 02] - Candle in the Storm by Morgan Howell

at the moonlit river. Clouds of pale insects flew over the water like animate mist. Occasionally, a fish leapt up to catch one. Honus poked the campfire and its flame grew brighter. “Do you really think that I’m gentle,” he asked, “or did you merely say that to humor the boy?”
    “You’re a killer,” replied Yim. “If the Balance is to be maintained, you must be gentle also.”
    Honus smiled and shook his head. “Spoken like a Bearer.”
    “Are you teasing me?”
    “No,” said Honus, “I’m not.” He poked the fire again. “I’m still amazed at what you did for that boy.”
    “You shouldn’t be,” replied Yim. “I merely looked into his eyes and saw what disturbed him. You have the same ability. You could have done likewise.”
    “Yet there lies the difference between us,” said Honus. “It never occurred to me.”
    They lapsed into an easy silence and watched the river awhile. There was a small island midstream, and it drew Yim’s attention. “That little isle reminds me of Cara’s secret place,” she said.
    “What secret place?”
    “Cara found a way to sneak out of the Bridge Inn,” replied Yim. “She would swim out to an island in the river. She took me there on our second day. It was a peaceful spot.”
    Honus smiled. “That sounds like something Cara would do. I take it Cronin had no idea.”
    “None at all. She spied on you and him while you talked on the bridge.”
    The smile left Honus’s face. “I remember that day. We spoke of grim things.”
    “Cara knew,” said Yim. “She thinks Lord Bahl will overrun Averen.”
    “Cronin’s certain that he’ll try,” replied Honus.
    Yim felt a sudden chill as if it were daytime and a cloud had obscured the sun. She glanced upward, but saw only a starry sky. Still, the impression remained, and she sensed a malign presence. Yim shivered, convinced that she was both fleeing danger and running toward it. She wanted to confess to Honus that she was afraid and didn’t know where to turn, but she held her tongue.   As a Sarf, he knows exactly where to turn  , Yim thought, feeling the full weight of her circumstances.   It’s wherever I tell him  .
    NINE
    WHEN GATT departed on his quest at dawn, he was invigorated by the conviction that Karm had blessed him with a vision. It seemed the most certain sign yet that he was traveling the true path. His horse also seemed imbued with divine purpose, for it sped down the highway as if it knew the importance of its master’s mission. Gatt passed the Bridge Inn before noon. The sight of it spurred him onward.
    Yim moved down the road far more slowly. She was tired after a poor night’s sleep. Furthermore, half-remembered dreams troubled her. One was particularly disturbing. It featured Honus lying in an empty clearing. His face was gray beneath its tattoos and his eyes stared skyward without blinking.
    “Yim, do you wish to rest?”
    “No. I must keep moving,” replied Yim. Then she sighed. “Yes. I need to rest.”
    Honus halted and Yim slipped the pack from her shoulders. The two walked to the riverbank and sat upon a boulder at the water’s edge. The sky was clear, and the river sparkled with its light. Closer to the mountains, the Yorvern moved more swiftly. It surged against the small rocky islands that dotted its course, leaving trails of foam behind each obstacle. Yim slipped off her sandals to dangle her feet in the cold water. “This feels good,” she said. “You were walking in front of me. How did you know I was weary?”
    “By the sound of your footsteps.”
    Yim regarded Honus and smiled. “What other secrets have you discerned?”
    “Very few. You remain a mystery.” “I doubt that.”
    “I know you were born in the Cloud Mountains and that your father was a peddler. The rest is shadow until I bought you in Durkin.”
    “My father wasn’t a peddler. He herded goats and gave me up when I was very young. My childhood was much like yours. I was raised to serve the