Burning : A Tale of the Dark Apostle (9780698144743) (3 page)

Lastly, he dropped in his two other tunics, woolen hose with only a few holes—he meant to buy another pair once he had the money to spare—a good belt and leather apron, and draped his wet britches over the top to dry out. By candlelight, his boots didn't appear too blood-soaked, and traveling mud would conceal that soon enough. This pair had lasted a good five years so far, with only a few repairs, and he hoped to get good use out of them for some time longer. The cloak he would wear, and the thick farmer's hat his mother had made years ago.

Staring at his one small chest, Elisha wondered how many Lucius would bring, and how large. Any man who could afford the cloth of that one robe would likely have several spares besides. This triggered a thought, and Elisha brought out a long wooden box left over from childhood.

On top he found what he had recalled—his own hidden wealth, an unworn shirt procured for his brother's wedding two years back. After Elisha's foolish attempt to prove Helena's treachery, Nathaniel had threatened his life if he dared come to the church that day.

Elisha lifted out the good shirt, woven of linen with no decoration. Feeling the heavy cloth between his fingers, he sighed again at his folly. He considered himself a practical man, and yet he afforded himself the luxury of a shirt he'd never wear. As if he should save it for some special day undreamed of. Now, with today's tunic hopelessly stained, and torn besides from long use, he had need of this symbol of his betrayal. Tomorrow, he would wear it on the start of a journey far from the home that would not be his when he returned. If he returned.

Below the shirt hid his few treasures: a copper coin minted in a foreign land, a handful of embroidered tokens given him by the whores at the brothels he tended, knotted charms to ward off illness and accident, kept more for sentiment than superstition, a small tin crucifix made by his brother's hand, and, at the bottom, a rumpled cut of cloth painted like a hawk—the pennant he had begged for, which had led him to the angel of his memory. If he ever did reach Heaven, perhaps this hawk would lead him once again.

E. C. Ambrose is a fantasy author, rock-climbing instructor, and accidental scholar. She lives in New Hampshire with her family, and spends too much time in a tiny office with a mournful black Lab lurking under the desk.

 

Elisha Barber
, the first book of
The Dark Apostle
, has received advance praise from authors such as Glenda Larke, Kevin J. Anderson, and Sharon Shinn.
Elisha Magus
, book two, will be available in the summer of 2014.

 

For more from E. C. Ambrose and
The Dark Apostle
, including historical research, special extras, and pre-order info, please visit http://www.ecambrose.com.