Ghosts of the Erlyn (Catalyst Book 3) by C.J. Aaron (books like beach read .TXT) 📕

He made his way quietly down the narrow ladder from the loft. Ramm, who was seated in a chair between the two wagons, greeted him with a smile as he approached. The normal sized chair seemed disproportionately small compared to the massive phrenic that occupied its seat. Ramm stood, holding his hand out, clasping Ryl’s as soon as it was in reach.

“Ride safe,” the phrenic said, his voice stern yet compassionate. “This is a battle we fight together. Do not take on the Kingdom alone.”

“That is a promise, my friend,” Ryl admitted, patting the giant phrenic on the shoulder.

He peered through the low, steady torchlight into the wagons, his gaze sweeping over the tributes that still lay in their midst. His eyes lingered once they reached Elias.

“We’ll watch over them,” Ramm said quietly. “See you in two days.”

Ryl nodded as he moved from the wagons toward the main door to the stables. Through the crack between panels, the first rays of the sun's light were sneaking inside. The particles of dust in the air seemed to glow as they floated freely in the brilliant strip of light that lanced through the still air of the interior.

In the courtyard, Andr stood waiting with the reins of two horses in his hand. A small group of others gathered near the front of Geshill’s house, awaiting Ryl’s arrival. The mood was subdued.

Geshill stepped forward from the group as he approached and clasped Ryl's hand with an iron grip.

“We're I younger, I'd be traveling with you today,” the farmer lamented. “Should fates find that you're ever in Milstead again, know that you will always have a welcome place at my home.”

Ryl knew the sentiment was genuine. If he had asked, Geshill would have stormed the walls of The Stocks at his side. As it was, he feared he'd already placed the man in undue jeopardy. Throughout their shelter at his farm, there had been no visitors aside from his daughters, who had left the previous evening. There was little chance that word of their presence hidden inside the stable would spread. The bodies of five hunters near the outskirts of the town were sure to be noted sooner rather than later, if in fact they hadn't been so already. Once their deaths were reported, investigations were sure to follow.

“Thank you, Geshill,” Ryl said. He needed the assistance of no additional emotion to convey the sincerity of his words. “Your hospitality and aid have been unwavering. I hope that our paths will cross again someday soon.”

The farmer pulled him into a brief embrace. He whispered loud enough for Ryl to hear when they were close.

“Please keep a lookout for my Lyra,” Geshill pleaded. “I know not her fate, yet you've given me hope that she could yet still be alive. I’d give anything to see her once again.”

The farmer pulled back slightly and sniffed, rubbing the back of his hand against his eyes, temporarily stopping the tears that now issued unabated.

“If it's mercy she needs. I’d rather it be your hand that grants her rest,” his voice cracked as he choked out the words.

His eyes met Ryl's for a moment before he lowered his head, slowly stalking back into his house. The click of the door sounded like a hammer. Silence stretched on for a moment after Geshill’s took his leave; none seemed willing to break the still.

Finally Aldren cleared his throat.

“We'll see you again in two days’ time,” the merchant announced. “I'll have the wagons waiting as promised.”

Without another word, Aldren followed in the footsteps of Geshill, heading back into the house. As he reached for the latch the door flew open, nearly knocking him from his feet. With an agility and grace that belied her lack of sight, Faya slipped past the merchant. Ryl could feel the emotion surging off her. There was a sadness that could not be disguised.

He countered the outpouring of woe with a feeling of hope as the child wrapped her arms around his waist. Rolan followed quickly in her wake apologizing for the behavior of his daughter. His face flushed with embarrassment. Ryl brushed off his apology with a smile. Though her talents were already blooming, she was still no more than a child at heart.

“Faya, fear not, I will see you again in a few days,” Ryl said. “Keep working with the phrenics. We all have our parts to play in this. We need you to be strong.”

She gave Ryl an extended squeeze before backing away. Rolan’s arms were waiting just a step behind her, his hands clasping gently onto her shoulders.

Ryl turned to Kaep and Vox. He suppressed the feeling of trepidation that threatened to bubble up from within. He and Andr would be riding ahead of the remainder of the group. They needed a more accurate appraisal of the current state of Cadsae Proper than their current information provided. With the addition of the slowly recovering tributes, the risk of arriving early to the port city was substantial. Their party had swelled to a number far too large to linger unnoticed. They would meet again off the main road under the cover of darkness two nights from now.

With the coming of the sun following their reunion, the focus of their mission would begin.

Phrenics would once again walk openly in Damaris.

Few words were needed between the phrenics before he left. They all knew their prescribed tasks. Ryl clasped hands with Vox, inclining his head slightly to the elementalist.

He was surprised to find that Kaep held her hand out to him as well. Ryl had never spoken to her of the electric, energizing magnetism he’d felt on the rare occasions that their skin had touched. He was sure after their last exchange that she noted the sensation as well. He pondered its meaning as he reached his hand out to take hers.

The moment their hands made contact, the sensation exploded in his hand, racing quickly up his arm. His body felt