The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) by Jeffrey L. Kohanek

ales it is. Be right back. ” She shot another glance at Brock before heading back to the kitchen.
    With Meg away from the table, his brain began to function again. Remembering something, Brock reached dug into his pack and pulled out a wide-brimmed hat.
    “ I saved this for you, Ren. I think Hank would want you to have it, ” Brock said.
    Moisture reappeared in Ren ’ s eyes as he stared at the hat. He put it on his head and wiped the tears away.
    “ Thanks guys. This means a lot to me. I ’ m so happy you brought it. ”
    Meg returned from the kitchen, setting three ales on the table before sliding onto the bench next to Ren. She leaned forward, speaking in a low voice.
    “ We heard that a whole family was murdered by a banshee up near Hawk ’ s Landing last fall. Their bodies were torn and mutilated. They say banshees are giants and have the strength of ten men. I guess few see one and live to tell about it. Until last fall, I thought they were only a myth. ”
    Meg gazed into Brock ’ s eyes. “ How did you live to tell about it? What was it like? ”
    Brock ’ s tongue was tied. Her large green eyes were affecting him as much as the rest of her.
    Tipper saved him by responding. “ It was horrible. It was huge and disgusting. The banshee wailed like nothing you ’ ve ever heard. It hurt our ears just to be near it. ” Holding his hands to his ears for affect, he then lifted his hand high above his head. “ It was twice as tall as me, maybe taller. The evil in the creature ’ s heart reflected in its blood-red eyes. It had long claws on its hands, sharp as knives. It stunk like rotten meat. It was a nightmare. ”
    As he finished, the haunted look had returned to Tipper ’ s eyes. His eyes glazed over as unbidden memories returned.
    Brock had recovered enough to speak. “ Hank distracted the banshee by shooting it with his crossbow so Ren could flee with the wagon. But the crossbow barely slowed the monster. Somehow, Hank was able to lure it to the cliff. They both went over the edge. ” His voice quieted as he relived the moment. “ We ran to the edge to look, but we saw nothing. It was so far down. Nothing could survive that fall. ”
    The table was quiet. It was a somber moment.
    Ren lifted his mug in the air. “ To Hank. He was a fine man with a big heart. ”
    Brock and Tipper lifted their mugs, clinking them together for the toast. “ To Hank. ”
    Bubbles tingled Brock ’ s tongue and throat as the first drink went down. A slightly bitter after-taste followed.
    Meg stood and smoothed her skirts. “ Sorry boys, but I do have other customers. ” She surveyed the room. She looked back, directing a smile at Brock. “ Don ’ t worry though. I ’ ll be back soon to attend to your needs. ”
    Meg left to wait on four men seated at a table across the room.
    Ren took another drink, smiling afterward. “ Ah. It ’ s good stuff. I wasn ’ t too fond of ale the first time I tried it, but it grows on you. What do you guys think? ”
    Brock swallowed a second drink from his mug, wiping foam from his lips as he responded, “ I like it a lot already. If it gets better, I could be in trouble. ”
    They all laughed. It felt good to laugh.

CHAPTER 16
     
    Brock opened his bleary eyes. A thin slice of sunlight was cutting through the room, lighting the wall near the bed. His head hurt something fierce. The bright bit of sun seemed to stab at his eyes, making the throbbing more intense.
    He turned his head to find a mess of red hair resting on his chest. Realizing he had no shirt on, he felt around to find he still wore his smallclothes. At least he wasn ’ t naked.
    His movement caused Meg to stir. She lifted her head and looked up at him. Her hair was tousled and eyes heavy, her long eyelashes sweeping the air as she blinked. He thought she looked gorgeous.
    “ G ’ morning sweetie, ” she said. “ How do you feel? ”
    Brock brought his hand to his head, covering his eyes. “ It feels like my