The Soul Sphere: Book 01 - The Shattered Sphere Read Online Free Page A

passed. For my part, I just got back a few hours ago, figuring that spy we caught must have gotten lost and that the rest of them must have already passed by.”
    “ ‘Spy’?” the travelers said as one.
    “Goblin, someone said he was. From the Shadowlands to the west, no doubt. He protested his innocence, that one. Said he’s no servant of the Dark One, but that’ll hold no sway with us. Keeps asking to see the king. Likely he’s an assassin.”
    “What have they done with him?” Rowan asked.
    “Tied him up real good, then set to arguing. Mostly Conklin and Jensen jawing at one another—string him up or keep him hostage. Me and the wife left before they could make up their minds.” He chuckled to himself. “Probably still arguing, if I know those two.”
    “How far away are they?”
    “A few hours up the path by foot.”
    Rowan turned to the others and saw by their looks they all thought the same thing: they needed to see this “goblin” for themselves. He thanked the farmer for his time, and as they started to move away, the woman of the house called out to them. She approached, handing a small sack to Tala. “It’s not much,” she said, “but it will feed you for a few days.”
    “Thank you,” Tala said with a sincere smile. The others offered their appreciation and said their farewells, which the woman brushed aside as she returned to her chores, mumbling under her breath.
    A few miles up the road Corson and Rowan took their turns on the horses, and moved out in front of the walkers, scouting a bit more aggressively in anticipation of the collected farm folk, the lone spy, and the possibility that others of his kind might be lurking in the area.
    “Goblins are not known to come this far east, or so I have been told,” said Tala.
    “Not that I’ve heard,” Demetrius agreed. “If they cross into human lands it is usually for raids into the Westerland, and they’ve come as far as White River in Corindor, but no further.”
    “Have you ever fought goblins?”
    He smiled, thinking back. “When I was much younger, and the thought of battle seemed romantic in some strange way. Duty on the front soon cured me of such notions. We did what needed to be done, but there is no glory in slaying.” A shadow passed over his face and he fell silent for a moment. When he continued, his voice was hushed. “Goblins are fierce warriors, more so when pressed. I saw many good men fall at their hands.”
    “Have you traveled much, in the service of your king?”
    “No, lady. My duty usually kept me near to him, and he seldom strayed from his own lands. Short trips into Delving and the Westerland, but no further. I have heard tales of the elves of the wood, but I never thought to meet one.”
    “We tend to keep to ourselves, deep in the heart of the forest. It is a shame that it takes dark days such as these to stir us enough to seek the friendship of men.”
    “Solek is a man. I would think the terror he has loosed on the land would make you less inclined to leave the wood.”
    “There are some who think that way. But it is the Dark One who sends the destruction—Solek is merely his vessel. It could have been an elf-king had fate been different.” She looked away for a moment, her eyes losing focus as her mind drifted to some far away place. “There are some of my kind who still believe we can remain hidden in the woods forever. It is a foolish hope.”
    Demetrius was clearly surprised. “Then Solek has not attacked your people, even though the Eastern Forest lies in the shadow of Veldoon?”
    “No. But time will change that.”
    “But if he has already chosen to pass you by while he stretches his hand over more distant lands—”
    “Only to subjugate men first, for men would fight. We hide and wait, thinking our spells keep us safe, while the Dark One grows stronger each day. He will turn his attention to us soon enough. And then with bitterness will those of us reaching out to men be proven