Secret Of the Sighing Mountains (The Quest Trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

in me that didn’t exist before she came along. As we journeyed together in our endeavor to complete our Quests, she regularly helped other people along the way, too. She was like an angel of mercy. That was how I discovered the hidden meaning behind her core name. Her name was Ray because she was like a ray of sunshine on a dark cloudy day, a ray of hope. Nobody ever felt depressed or hopeless around her, and that is a tremendous thing to have. In my darkest moments, she would always tell me ‘When you find an obstacle impossible to overcome, just find someone you love enough to do it for.’” Stal smiled at the memory. “It always worked. ‘Have faith in yourself,’ She would say, ‘I do. I always have, always will …’” Stal’s eyes grew moist.
    Diego saw Sierra wiping his eyes with the back of his hands and groaned audibly, “Aw man! Are you crying, too?”
    “It’s just the onions.” sniffed Sierra.
    “What onions?” asked Diego.
    “The ones,” Sierra gritted through clenched teeth, “in the kitchen.” He glared at Diego in a silent warning to drop the subject if he wanted all his teeth to remain intact.
     
    Stal cleared his throat, louder this time and both Diego and Sierra reluctantly turned to face him.
    “Now,” Stal coughed self consciously, “I suppose you want to know about my Core Name?” Stal looked towards them expectantly. When neither challenged his statement, he decided to continue.
    “My Core Name was Stallion. I didn’t change it on completing my Quest because Rayva preferred it this way. I was the boy who was always looking out for everybody. I was friendly, staunchly loyal and honest. Rayva said the qualities I possessed were very noble. Her ‘noble steed’ she called me. And that was it. My true trait was nobility, for horses are noble animals. With the revelation of the full meaning of my Core Name came many new discoveries. I acquired speed like no other. I could run as fast as a train and for hours without tiring. I became strong and sure of myself, dealing with problems and situations alike with a confidence and decisiveness I never knew I possessed. Even though I’ve slowed down considerably with age, I can still outrun the two of you put together any day, and you know it.” said Stal.
    Diego and Sierra quickly averted their gazes. They had raced. On numerous occasions. And they had lost. Every time.
    “That was all?” snorted Sierra, feeling embarrassed and wanting to make it sound like it was no big deal. “You got the ability to run very fast? Doesn’t sound like any superpower to me.”
    “Maybe not to you young boys, but experience has taught me that speed is the most basic of needs for survival when danger comes knocking unexpectedly at your door. And courage, strength and endurance are the biggest super powers when faced with impossible odds.” said Stal.
    Sierra and Diego looked at each other, something silent passing between their gazes.
     
    Stal smiled knowingly and began to rise from the sofa. He had them exactly where he wanted them; they were curious and excited, whether they would admit it to him or not. Now was the time to throw his ace.
    “I hope I’ve cleared your doubts and convinced you to go. If you miss this opportunity, it will never come again. Remember, you only get one chance. By the way, your birthday gifts.”
    Stal pulled out two envelopes from his pocket and kept them on the table before the boys.
    “What’s that?” asked Diego, leaning forward and reading their names written in a neat but unfamiliar, slanting handwriting, on the cover. The paper was old. The envelope was brown and faded with time.
    “A letter for each of you, written by your mother just days after your birth.” said Stal. He avoided saying ‘before she died.’ It would lend a gloomy color to the whole gesture.
    Both Sierra and Diego gasped in open shock and gingerly picked up the letters, hardly believing their eyes and afraid the fragile thing might