The Soul Sphere: Book 02 - The Final Shard by David Adams

She did not argue the point.
    Both of them could see the tracks Jazda’s horse had made in his flight, the impressions still fresh in the soggy ground. Near mid-morning the rain stopped and the clouds started to break up. They crossed a small stream, stopping briefly to fill their skins, and then found the trail again on the other side. Soon after they came to a thicket and found Jazda there, his head bowed. His horse grazed a few yards off, flicking his tail contentedly.
    As they approached, Jazda looked up. Tears streamed down his face and a sob racked his body. Tala knelt beside him, and Rowan followed her lead and did the same.
    “He was like a son to me,” Jazda whispered. “And now—” Another sob choked off the rest of his words.
    “We have all seen things no one should see,” Tala said. “It is not easy.”
    Jazda nodded and blew out a long, slow breath, trying to steady himself. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have run off like that.” He got to his feet and called his horse. “Thanks for coming after me. We best be on our way.”
    They departed, turning south, the Stone Mountains growing closer as the Aetos range faded in the distance. Rande’s ghost filled their thoughts, but neither Rowan nor Tala spoke of him, nor did Jazda ask what the boy had said. Rowan wondered how the sea captain would react if Rande returned that night. He prayed they would not find out.
    The rest of the day passed without event. As the sun disappeared in the west they made camp and shared a small meal. They realized even the insubstantial food they were able to have might seem a feast when they reached Delving. It would soon be time to plant this year’s crops, but who would plant it, and would anything grow even if the farmers could work the land? They all had the same questions, but none wished to ask them aloud. They were dispirited enough as it was.
    Jazda insisted on taking his watch, but was obviously relieved when he woke Rowan at the end of it. When it was Tala’s turn, Rowan shook her awake, then pointed to a second patch of trees some hundred yards from those under which they had sheltered.
    “Do you see him?” he whispered.
    “See who? Rande?” She studied the trees, then nodded. “Looks like he is hiding.”
    “He’s been there for at least half my watch. I want to go talk to him, but I didn’t want to do so and leave the camp unattended.”
    Tala understood. “I’ll keep an eye here.”
    Rande’s ghost made no move to depart as Rowan approached. He held his head in front of his stomach with both hands, like it was some heavy, grizzly trophy. The eyes looked up to regard Rowan. “I wanted to stay away,” he said. “For Jazda.”
    “And yet you are here. Are you compelled to haunt us?”
    “I am drawn to you.”
    “Is there something you wish of us?”
    “Only what I have already said, that you release us from our bondage.”
    “You know our task. Your presence only slows us, and if you are seen when we return home it will be taken as an ill omen.”
    “I know. I am drawn to you, but not compelled. Tonight I stayed here, rather than entering your camp. Tomorrow perhaps I will stay away.”
    “ ‘Perhaps’?” Rowan repeated.
    “I will try. But I’m so…lonely.”
    “You said there were others like you.”
    Rande’s body moved as if he was nodding, but his disembodied head remained still. “There are more each night. Torn by foul beasts or ravaged by hunger. We are many, but we are all painfully alone. It is why I come to you. Being here starts to fill the void I feel, even if only a small portion. I long for something, though I know not what it is.”
    “Your spirit longs to commune with the Great Spirit.”
    “The Savior you spoke of?”
    Rowan nodded.
    “I have thought much about what you told me of him. I am still not sure I understand, or believe. But I did not think I had a spirit, and in that I have been proven wrong.”
    “I do not claim to know all, either. I