THE_REALM_SHIFT

by Unknown

  He appeared before Mordecai. Jericho stood opposite the priest on the other side of the cook-fire. Mordecai jumped when he noticed the demon, but calmed quickly when he realized who it was.

  “Lord Jericho, I was hoping you would return,â€� Mordecai said. “I was happy to wake in the land of the living.â€�

  Jericho simply nodded. “I see Kane has tended well to your injuries,â€� he offered.

  “Yes, he informed me, after I was feeling better, that you had sent him for me—that you had instructed him to take care of me until you returned. And he said you promised to reward him for his trouble.â€� Mordecai’s mouth spread into a devilish grin as his gaze found Jericho’s preternatural eyes. “I trust you will be sure to reward him as faithfully as you meant to reward me, before you found I could give you what you want.â€�

  Jericho’s eyes betrayed no hint of injury at the remark. “What is it that you require, Mordecai?â€�

  Mordecai stood up, slightly off balance. Evidently, he still needed the crutch to get around. “Only to live a long life,â€� he said, “and have the opportunity to kill the man who did this.â€� Mordecai pulled his tan shirt up, revealing the large wound in his abdomen given to him by the warrior-priest, Gideon. The wound had been stitched up with dried catgut suture and there was an herbal bolster sewn overtop to help it heal properly.

  Jericho smiled. “I’m sure I could arrange for you to have that opportunity, especially if he is still traveling with the Deliverer. What I need to know is where they might have gone.â€�

  “If he is traveling with Gideon, then they will return to The Order of Shaddai, at the Temple,â€� Mordecai surmised. “He will want to bring the boy to Isaiah, the High Priest.â€�

  “A sound enough theory, Mordecai,â€� Jericho confirmed. “However, I cannot get my forces into the Temple. It’s guarded by the Heavenly Host.â€�

  Mordecai considered the problem. “What about an assassin?â€�

  Jericho showed uncharacteristic glee. “An assassin with an intimate knowledge of the Temple and its many secrets?â€� The demon smiled. “Rest well, Mordecai—assassin. Enjoy the hospitality of my dear servant, Kane, while you can. I will come for you when you are recovered of these injuries. Then you will have your revenge, and I will be rid of this Deliverer of Shaddai.â€�

  We children sat completely still as the final sentence rolled from the lips of the bearded, old storyteller. When he was finished, he simply stared at his audience, and we stared back. Was this all? Certainly, the story did not end there.

  So much had been left unsaid—so much left undone. In fact, it seemed the story of Shaddai’s Deliverer had only just begun. We waited with baited breath to see if the storyteller would continue. The unbearable tension between the grizzled old man and his audience was finally broken when he smiled, clapped his wrinkled hands together, and stood up.

  “Is that all?â€� I said.

  ât=“0” w€œWhat do you mean?â€� he replied.

  “Aren’t you going to tell us what happened to Ethan and Gideon? What about Captain Bonifast?â€�

  The Old Storyteller turned and retrieved his staff from where it rested on the edge of the fountain. The sun had already begun its slow descent toward the horizon.

  “I’m hungry,â€� he said. “I can’t go on talking forever. Your parents will miss you if you don’t show up for the evening meal, my dears,â€� the storyteller said. “No, you go and eat, and I’ll do the same. Then, for those of you who are still interested, we will meet here tomorrow and see what becomes of Shaddai’s Deliverer.â€�

  The Old Storyteller turned around, dismissing his audience. He walked into the market with his satchel at his side, his walking stick clicking with every other step against the smooth cobblestones on the street. I soon lost sight of him among the merchants and patrons, but I would return for the rest of the story tomorrow.

  About the Author:

  James Somers first novel, The Chronicles of Soone: Heir to the King was published by Variance Publishing in 2006. Since that time, Mr. Somers has published many novels including:

  • Hallowed Be Thy Name

  • Hallowed Ground

  • The Chronicles of Soone: Rise of Lucin

  • The Realm Shift (trilogy)

  • A World Within

  • Percival Strange and the Lonely Manor

  • Perdition’s Gate

  **If you enjoyed the Smashwords Edition of The Realm Shift, then visit me at jamessremos(at)yahoo.com and be sure to leave a review! Also look for novels two and three in this trilogy: The Order of Shaddai, and The Sword of Gideon, both coming soon! Also check out my latest novel, Percival Strange: The Lonely Manor!