Bastial Sentinels (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 5) (53 page)

Cleve had heard the phrase before and knew that it meant, “but sometimes it’s just what happens.”

“I’m sorry,” Reela said.

Cleve got the pouch’s cord undone and could only stare at what he found inside. It was money, more than he’d ever held at one time.
More than I’ve spent in my whole life,
he realized. They were gold coins, the same used in Ovira.

Reela must’ve sensed his surprise. She came and crouched beside him. “Bastial stars, that’s a lot of money, Cleve!”

He showed her the note from Jek. A smile slowly came over her lips. “Well, at least we know now the poor boy gets paid well.”

Cleve laughed.

Soon it was time to ride. Cleve realized he had a question for Fatholl that he couldn’t let out of his mind. So he rode to the front with Reela and Vithos and asked Fatholl if they could speak.

“We have at least three days of riding to make it to the docks,” Fatholl said, his voice rhythmic and wise. “There are few better ways of passing the time than talking.”

“Did you speak to Raymess after the desmarls were all killed?” Cleve asked. The King had seemed in high spirits every time Cleve saw him. He wondered if Fatholl finally had been forgiven.

“I try not to speak with men who want to kill me,” Fatholl said.

“He still feels this way?” Reela was incredulous.

“Yes. And I don’t think he’s crazy for having these thoughts. I was responsible for his father’s death, after all.”

There was a long silence.

“Do you regret it?” Reela asked.

Fatholl looked to be holding his breath. Cleve felt like he was holding his as well as he waited. “The story of our lives is told by our dreams when we’re young and our regrets when we’re old,” Fatholl said. “The more those childhood dreams become regrets, the more sorrowful our story.” His eyes were distant as they glimpsed the road ahead. “I dreamt to see Greenedge free of war and desmarls, and I’ll never regret the sacrifices that turned that dream into reality.”

Cleve felt himself swallow a dry gulp. It was easy to forget the “sacrifices” when in the end, the world was better off. Fatholl was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of many. But that meant Reela, Vithos, and Cleve were murderers as well.

“I wish I felt better about how your goal was achieved,” Cleve admitted, thinking of Danvell’s death.

“That means you have a just heart. Don’t ignore this bitter feeling. Live your life by it, instead. Then clearing Greenedge of desmarls won’t be the last good deed you do.”

“This means you feel the same sting of guilt that I do?” Cleve asked.

Fatholl nodded. “It’s this innate demand of betterment we share that drove me to the plan you witnessed. Perhaps one day the same feeling will lead you down a path just as controversial. The world is right for now, but there will always be those slowly setting it atilt.

“Men like us will always have enemies, Cleve. We just haven’t met them all yet.”

End of the Rhythm of Rivalry Series

Although this book marks the end of the Rhythm of Rivalry series, the saga continues with a fresh series that starts in Sumar, called,
Fire Games.

We follow the lives of new characters and learn about an exceptional type energy yet to be discovered in Greenedge and Ovira.

Expect a surprise visit from a few familiar faces as well.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 by B.T. Narro

Cover art by Ricky Gunawan

Maps by Annette Tremblay: midnightwhimsy.deviantart.com

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