Joint Intentions (Book 9) Read Online Free
Author: Jeff Inlo
I'm also not sure why he was able to return and others aren't. People across this town have lost family and friends. Why has Sy been allowed to return while others haven't?"
"I've asked him that for you before. He can't explain it."
"Or maybe he won't," Ryson offered as another possibility.
"If he chooses not to tell us, it's probably for our own good."
"That still doesn't explain why I can't hear him."
"Maybe you can, but you're not paying attention," Klusac suggested.
"What do you mean?"
"People hear things all the time, but they don't always listen. If you stop listening long enough, you don't even realize you can hear something."
"That's an interesting perspective," Ryson allowed. "Maybe you're right. And if so, it's even more reason for me to do what I have to do."
He looked up at the sun once more. The days were growing shorter, the sun setting earlier. He was losing daylight and he didn't want to delay his departure any longer.
"Time for me to go."
"Be careful and take care," Klusac offered.
Ryson looked first to the west, to Dark Spruce Forest. He would not be venturing near the heavy woods—a sanctuary for dark creatures—and he worried more about the citizens of the town than for his own safety.
"Since I'm not going to be scouting the forest for a while, you should probably limit any excursions into the woods. River rogues were pretty active the last time I went out. Sy can protect the town, but the woods are still dangerous."
"There's little need for us to go into the forest. We've collected all the wood we'll need for the dormant season. We'll leave Dark Spruce to the elves."
"Good idea," Ryson agreed with a nod, and he took his leave of the captain.
With graceful ease, the delver moved through the gate, across the clearing which surrounded the town, and over a dirt road which cut through the farm fields to the north. He immediately turned east. In order to gain the answers he sought, he knew he had to speak to individuals more willing to delve into spiritual matters.
He had to leave Burbon, a town of order. The citizens had their individual beliefs, their faith, but they kept it to themselves. Such discretion was understandable, but it would impede the progress of his quest.
He had to return to the place he had previously called home. In Connel, a growing city with an ancient history, there was a place where he could discuss certain elements with greater ease.
As Ryson raced eastward, he recalled when the magic first returned to Uton. The Sphere of Ingar released a burst of energy which breached Sanctum Mountain. The freed magic caused a rolling tremor which signaled a new beginning. Everyone's life changed on that day, including his own.
After the quake, he had gone out to explore the lands, to determine the cause of the upheaval. That quest began in Connel, specifically at the steps of an ancient building, a place where he needed to return. In order for him to move forward, he knew he had to go back to where it all began, to the Church of Godson.
Chapter 2
Sy Fenden's influence did not end with Ryson Acumen. The return of Burbon's captain as an apparition had greatly affected another, though not in a positive way.
Neltus once cast spells of great power. Crimson energy had crackled through his essence as he sharpened his focus over rock and dirt. There was a time when every grain of soil and sand bent to his wishes. His distinct connection to the land offered him power and insight which stretched over every mountaintop and reached below the deepest dwarf mine.
He lost that connection when Sy Fenden's ghost removed his magical core. The removal saved the town of Burbon, and perhaps all of Uton, but it left Neltus powerless, unable to cast spells with his own magic. It was a condition Neltus chose not to endure. A decision made, he would risk everything and anything to restore his power.
It took a great deal of effort and money to find what he needed. And while Neltus was not
"I've asked him that for you before. He can't explain it."
"Or maybe he won't," Ryson offered as another possibility.
"If he chooses not to tell us, it's probably for our own good."
"That still doesn't explain why I can't hear him."
"Maybe you can, but you're not paying attention," Klusac suggested.
"What do you mean?"
"People hear things all the time, but they don't always listen. If you stop listening long enough, you don't even realize you can hear something."
"That's an interesting perspective," Ryson allowed. "Maybe you're right. And if so, it's even more reason for me to do what I have to do."
He looked up at the sun once more. The days were growing shorter, the sun setting earlier. He was losing daylight and he didn't want to delay his departure any longer.
"Time for me to go."
"Be careful and take care," Klusac offered.
Ryson looked first to the west, to Dark Spruce Forest. He would not be venturing near the heavy woods—a sanctuary for dark creatures—and he worried more about the citizens of the town than for his own safety.
"Since I'm not going to be scouting the forest for a while, you should probably limit any excursions into the woods. River rogues were pretty active the last time I went out. Sy can protect the town, but the woods are still dangerous."
"There's little need for us to go into the forest. We've collected all the wood we'll need for the dormant season. We'll leave Dark Spruce to the elves."
"Good idea," Ryson agreed with a nod, and he took his leave of the captain.
With graceful ease, the delver moved through the gate, across the clearing which surrounded the town, and over a dirt road which cut through the farm fields to the north. He immediately turned east. In order to gain the answers he sought, he knew he had to speak to individuals more willing to delve into spiritual matters.
He had to leave Burbon, a town of order. The citizens had their individual beliefs, their faith, but they kept it to themselves. Such discretion was understandable, but it would impede the progress of his quest.
He had to return to the place he had previously called home. In Connel, a growing city with an ancient history, there was a place where he could discuss certain elements with greater ease.
As Ryson raced eastward, he recalled when the magic first returned to Uton. The Sphere of Ingar released a burst of energy which breached Sanctum Mountain. The freed magic caused a rolling tremor which signaled a new beginning. Everyone's life changed on that day, including his own.
After the quake, he had gone out to explore the lands, to determine the cause of the upheaval. That quest began in Connel, specifically at the steps of an ancient building, a place where he needed to return. In order for him to move forward, he knew he had to go back to where it all began, to the Church of Godson.
Chapter 2
Sy Fenden's influence did not end with Ryson Acumen. The return of Burbon's captain as an apparition had greatly affected another, though not in a positive way.
Neltus once cast spells of great power. Crimson energy had crackled through his essence as he sharpened his focus over rock and dirt. There was a time when every grain of soil and sand bent to his wishes. His distinct connection to the land offered him power and insight which stretched over every mountaintop and reached below the deepest dwarf mine.
He lost that connection when Sy Fenden's ghost removed his magical core. The removal saved the town of Burbon, and perhaps all of Uton, but it left Neltus powerless, unable to cast spells with his own magic. It was a condition Neltus chose not to endure. A decision made, he would risk everything and anything to restore his power.
It took a great deal of effort and money to find what he needed. And while Neltus was not
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