Dark Soul Silenced - Part One by Simon Goodson Page B

from the world around him, and both Mary and Jon needed the food far more than he did.
    Once the meal was finished Sarah placed the bowls and spoons into the cooking pot and held them out to Daniel.
    “ Can you wash these off in the water please?  Mary, you go and help Daniel.  Take your time and make sure they are properly clean.”
    She caught Daniel’s eye then glanced towards Jon as she spoke.  Daniel took the hint.  She wanted some time to talk with her husband.  Daniel was sure that he would be the main topic of conversation, especially the fact that it was he who had attacked their camp the night before.
    Standing he picked up the pot and a cloth then walked towards the waves, Mary already streaking ahead.  He chose a point some way down the beach, telling Mary it was a better location.  It was — but for giving Sarah and Jon space, not for washing the pot and dishes.
     
     
    Once the pots and dishes were cleaned of any suggestion of dirt, and Mary had tired of throwing stones into the sea, Daniel walked back to the fire.  He sensed tension between Jon and Sarah as he drew close.  Uncertain what to say, especially with Mary walking beside him, Daniel drew to a halt.  Sarah walked over and relieved him of the pot and dishes without a word, then started packing them away.
    “Right,” she said briskly.  “We need to get moving.  Jon is still weak.  He’s too weak to walk far I think.  Can he ride your horse?”
    “ Of course,” Daniel replied.  Then he turned to Jon.  “How do you feel?  Are you up to riding?”
    “ I’ll live,” Jon replied with a smile.  “Thanks to you and Mary that is.  I just feel so damned weak right now.”
    “ That will fade.  You seem stronger already.  The food must have helped.”
    “ I can help!” Mary almost bounced towards her dad, hands already reaching out.
    “ No!” Sarah snapped out, moving to intercept Mary.
    Mary’s face crumpled in shock and she started sobbing.  Sarah quickly picked Mary up and held her close.
    “Mary… Mary… I’m sorry.  You have to be careful though.  The power you have is dangerous.  You mustn’t use it unless you really have to, and even then you have to be careful.  I don’t want you to get hurt.”
    While Sarah walked to and fro with the crying girl, Jon beckoned Daniel closer.  He knelt by the injured man.
    “Sarah told me it was you last night.  She says you think you were possessed by a dark power and that it’s gone, but she isn’t convinced.  She’s scared by the power Mary has, terrified really.  She feels the same about you.  I’ve got a different view.  If you meant us harm then you wouldn’t have saved me.  Saved me twice in fact.  And after what Mary and you did for me I’m not convinced her power is a curse, that it does come from darkness.  I’m willing to believe you if you say you mean us no harm, but I want to look you in the eye when you do.”
    “ I mean you and your family no harm.  I want to see you to somewhere safe.  You have my word on that.”
    Daniel maintained eye contact with Jon throughout.  Jon nodded and smiled .
    “That’ll do for me.  Sarah… well, she’s going to take some convincing, but give her time.  She just…”
    He stopped talking as Sarah walked back towards them.  Mary had stopped crying but was still clinging to her mother.  Daniel stood and walked to his horse, checking the saddle and arranging the bags to ensure Jon would be comfortable.  He led the horse back.
    “This might be difficult,” Jon said.  “I feel weak as a newborn lamb.  Damn embarrassing it is.  I think it’s gonna take both of you to get me on the horse, if we can manage it at all.”
    “ I think I can manage,” Daniel said.
    He bent down and easily picked Jon up, one arm behind Jon’s back and the other under his knees.  Moving close to the horse he lifted Jon higher, leaning him forward so he could lean on the horse’s neck.  Jon was able to swing his own