The canyon was quiet for a long moment. Brock waited nervously, hearing only the soft sound of the wind whistling in the mine tunnels behind him. With a look of determination on her face, Salina ran toward Brock and climbed onto the living boulder to stand beside him. She turned toward the throng and shouted.
“Let’s do this! If what Brock says is true, we can be something, something special!” Her fierce brown eyes swept across the audience standing before her in still silence. She thrusted her fist in the air and shouted, “Let the Unchosen be the saviors to mankind!”
A deafening roar rose up, echoing off the canyon walls. The newly freed prisoners jumped and shouted, pumping their fists high. Every single one of them.
Brock had them, and he hated himself for it.
CHAPTER 60
The hinge squeaked as the door opened. Brock didn’t have to look up to know it was Ashland. He sensed her approach, similar to how he sensed Wraith’s presence on the floor near the bed. Choosing not to respond, his face remained buried in his hands. A warm hand rested on his arm, but he showed no reaction.
“What’s wrong, Brock?’ Ashland asked. “It worked, just as you planned. I thought you’d be happy.”
Removing his hands from his face, he sighed before responding.
“I manipulated those poor people. They don’t understand what will come, what they will face, but they bought into it.”
She looked him in the eye. “You told them the truth and nothing else. Your method may have been a bit dramatic, but that’s understandable. We don’t have time for them to debate the issue. Our only chance, their only chance, is to commit immediately and begin preparing for the Horde.”
Though Brock knew that she was right and he felt that he had no choice but to do as he did, it didn’t make him feel better.
“How many will die because of me?” he asked softly.
Sympathy reflected in Ashland’s eyes as she cupped his cheek. “Oh, Brock. I realize that this is hard. Yes, many will die in what is to come, but you can’t look at it that way. Would they have lived if you hadn’t freed them from this prison? If you did nothing, these people and thousands of other innocents would die at the hands of the Horde. This way, they at least have a chance.”
She leaned in, her lips meeting his. He closed his eyes, focusing on the warm rush of emotion in the kiss. As their lips parted, he opened his eyes to look into hers.
“Remember, you did give them an option,” she said, “You laid the truth before them and they chose to join you and fight back. It was their choice to make. Now that they’ve decided to follow you, your job is to prepare them so they have a chance. Do your best and we’ll see what fate decides.”
Brock stared into her wonderfully blue eyes, marveling at his luck in finding such an incredible woman.
A knock sounded, causing Wraith’s head to pop up and look at the door.
“Come in,” Brock said.
The door opened and Benny and Parker peeked into the storage closet that Brock and Ashland had claimed as their private room.
Benny stepped inside, holding the door for Parker as he spoke. “We finished taking the inventory of food stores in the cellar.”
Brock nodded. “Good. What did you find?”
Parker responded, “The cooks believe we have enough food to feed everyone for five or six days. With the guards gone, there are about twenty fewer mouths to feed, so that helps a bit, too.”
Benny jumped in, his shoulders rocking. “Apparently, the mine gets food delivered a few times each month. The next wagon is due the day after tomorrow.”
“Okay. We need that delivery to show up so we can remain here for a bit,” Brock said, working it out in his head.
Parker smiled. “That’s not all. We found something else.”
Brock raised his eyebrows in question. “Well, what is it?”
Parker glanced at Benny, who was nodding. “There are casks of ale. Four of them. Apparently, it was for the guards.”
Finding the ale was a bit of a surprise. Considering what was coming, they could use some ale and a little diversion. Brock forced a smile, showing what he hoped was enthusiasm.
“First, let’s work on getting things cleaned up around here today, and then we’ll have some fun.” Brock pointed toward the door. “Tell them we’ll break the ale out at dinner. Tonight, we celebrate our freedom.”
A Note from the Author
Thank you for reading this book and joining Brock and his companions on their quest. If you enjoyed the book, please help to spread the word by:
-Posting reviews on sites such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads
-Sharing on social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
-Telling a friend who might enjoy the book
-Watch for the third book in the series, An Empire in Runes, coming in Spring 2017
Regards,
Jeffrey L Kohanek
For information about The Runes of Issalia series, the author, and upcoming events, visit:
www.JeffreyLKohanek.com
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56
CHAPTER 57
CHAPTER 58
CHAPTER 59
CHAPTER 60
A Note from the Author
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