Excerpt: Two journeys

Brittney sputters but finally continues in a quieter voice if not for the child’s sake then to simply keep the baby from making this trip longer than it had to be. “The Blessed ones were different.”

“How so?” Deany asks. Joash was correct, a dead cow had no eyes or ears. They had a place where ears should be, but they had no ears themselves.

Brittney tosses her black hair behind herself, she is glad to get her mind off of their dilemma. “The Blessed ones are different because they have spirits. That mountain does not.” Deany smiles and laughs quietly to himself but Brittney hears. “What do you find amusing Scholar?” She asks sharply.

“We are going to go and find the spirit of that mountain.”

Brittney smiles bitterly. “Well then, you two head off towards that mountain, I’ll ask the ‘spirit of this tree’.” She mocks turning towards a large tree. “Oh, great and mysterious tree, won’t you grant us the wisdom to save us from the idiocy that has cursed us. If you can hear me, fall on the Scholar and save us his nonsense.”

“Excuse me, Yadout, what do you mean the spirit of the mountain.” Joash asks.

“Really Joash?” Brittney demands. The man turns to her, his face covered in the rash that made his face feel hot. “Excuse me while I find a larger tree.”