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

would not expect to see spirits prowling this land, though with the Dark One here…” He shook his head.
    “Do you think those that serve him feel as I do? Lost? Alone?”
    “I would think so. But then they bury those feelings under malice, rage, and evil. No amount of pain they can inflict will ever satiate their bottomless emptiness. The cruelty the enemy is capable of is beyond the understanding of men. We can be driven by revenge, hatred, or lust for power or wealth, but eventually time will cool our fiercest passions, and remorse and regret for our actions may stay our hand from further ill deeds. We will eventually wonder why we never seem to have enough of whatever it is we seek. The Dark One, I think, knows he can never be fully satisfied and his willingness to deal out pain is endless. I fear when he wrings all he can from the world he will move on—to another plane as you called it. He feeds on fear, misery, and death, and once he has drained the life from Arkania, he will do the same elsewhere.”
    “I thought you believed Arkania was the only world.”
    “I did. But I thought about what you said, and all I have seen and experienced, and now I think otherwise.”
    “Has this weakened your faith?”
    Rowan smiled softly. “I know there is much I do not know. My faith, if anything, is stronger, and my desire to destroy the enemy and foil his plans all the greater.”
    “That is well then.” Rande lifted his head up and placed it on his neck. “May your god go with you. I will try to trouble you no more, but my hopes will go with you.”
    “I hope you find peace,” Rowan said, lifting an open hand in blessing.
    Rande turned and walked away, moving out of the trees and across an open field. Rowan continued to watch him. Well before the specter moved out of sight, he simply faded and vanished.
    In hushed tones Rowan gave the particulars of his conversation with Rande to Tala. She listened intently, and when he was done asked, “Do you think he will be back?”
    “I’m not sure. He will try to stay away, but whether he’ll be able, or for how long, no one can say. He is much changed already. The shell he spent his life inside of is dissolving.”
    “We should not speak of this to Jazda. Not yet anyway.”
    “I agree. And Rande was trying to stay out of Jazda’s sight. He knows how hard this has been on the man.”
    “You’d better get some sleep. We have another long day tomorrow.”
    Rowan sighed and did as he was told.
    *          *          *
    Their travel was slower over the next few days. Open space was harder and harder to find, and the brambles and thickets were more frequent and dense. The heavy rains had left the ground muddy, further hindering the horses. It took four days to reach the foot of the Stone Mountains, whereas if they had traveled on a road they would have needed only slightly more than a day. During the passage of the four days Rande had paid them no more visits.
    The setting sun cast a ruddy glow on the western edge of the mountains, but the eastern end of the range was all slate gray and dark shadows. The Little River would be in sight before noon tomorrow, and once across it they would be in Delving, home for Rowan and Jazda. The realization of how near they had come to his land made Rowan decide to broach the subject of home with Tala.
    “You have said nothing lately of the Eastern Forest, and our path has curved away from it for days now.”
    “I know. I want to see what success we have in Delving before I return. It will take time to organize and march an army north. I can go ahead to speak to my people then.”
    “Well, I can’t argue with your logic.”
    They rode on in silence for a time. Tala took a couple of furtive glances at Rowan, who seemed content to let matters lie, but she sensed something was being left unsaid. “If you have more to say, please say it.”
    Rowan shrugged. “It will take time for an elven army to prepare to march to