Golden Box Book Publishing GBBP Magazine, June, 2017 | Page 22

Grona grinned. Go on you old bastard, get him to talk, he
thought.
The soul descended like a leaf from a tree.
“You have many lines on your face. I see the pain of many
battles in your eyes and the desire to go home, yet you and your
companions are still mercenaries. Why? I suspect it’s because
together you feel strong and wanted. But on your own – you are
nothing.”
Grona saw Ammett shake and sensed that a shiver had run up
his spine. He’d felt one. But as much as he hated the words of
Abastor, he knew that the soul had spoken the truth.
Ammett surprised Grona. “You still haven’t answered my
question.”
“We have watched you and your friends over many years,
Ammett. Loyalty is important, but with you, it is an obsession. All
of you will have an important role to play in the future and for that
reason alone, I will say a little more. Obsidian and Radiance are
sleeping and are not interfering in the lives of men, which is both
a blessing and a curse. For when the gods sleep, others awake
from slumber and on a whim can destroy anything for their own
gratification. Our world is threatened, yours more so. Individually
we cannot defeat the menace but with our help, you can.”
Grona exploded. “You want our help, presumably to fight, yet
you will not tell us what we are fighting for or even who. Or have
I got this all wrong?”
“I require your acceptance.” The Soul said.
“What makes you think that the four of us can succeed?”
“Who said anything about only four warriors? Together you
and your men are formidable but you cannot win on your own.
But with others we believe you can ultimately triumph.”
“Who are these, others?” Grona‘s guts churned like rancid
butter. I hate working with anyone I don’t know or trust he
thought.
“Once you agree I can tell you everything, but remember you
have little choice in the matter.”
Grona looked at the eyes of his men. He saw resignation with
anger. He liked their response, but wanted to be sure. “I cannot
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