Darkin A Journey East - By Joseph A. Turkot Page 0,11

with splendid aromas of all sorts. Adacon sat himself at a table that was carved from the rock floor awaiting food, all the while being seduced by the growing smells. Finally, out walked the colorful little man Krem, effortlessly carrying two plates, each overflowing with food. There was bread and fresh cooked meat, along with fresh vegetables and fruit. Adacon was in heaven. This is no stale slave food, he thought jovially. He relished in the thought for another moment, and then realized that the food was now laid out before him on the table. Violently, he began to eat as fast as possible.

“Ow!” Adacon wailed. With a painful thud suddenly impacting his back, he stopped eating and looked up in agony. Krem had throttled him with his marble staff, and was now calmly watching the slave.

“Do you not release selfishness and greed before you eat? Ah, well, you should, rather than live this journey in greed, eh? Be settled for me to make a moment of some gratefulness, dear boy,” Krem said passively. He began to speak again in a moment, this time in a gentler tone. “All of Darkin assembles before the great force of Gaigas, that the righteous fruits of this land may usher in a new serenity, renewing the circle of life whilst ridding the demons that haunt good men. I ask that you, Gaigas, Great Spirit of existence, unite our life with yours, as we thank you for these graces.” There was a moment of silence after Krem’s homage, and Adacon sat unmoving, unsure of what to do.

“Eat man,” shouted Krem. So Adacon returned to his feeding frenzy, and he ate and ate until he felt his burst.

“Ah, this has been quite some meal, Krem, if I do say so,” said Adacon in a humorous tone; he had finished off close to a full bottle of Krem’s precious wine. Krem did not seem affected by his wine, and he thought for a second that maybe he and Krem were having different drinks.

“So what of this bastard—Grelion, you said was his name? We must find him immediately!” Adacon blurted out, returning his quest to mind, and spewing out the first thoughts that pertained to it.

“Do not be foolish boy. Should you attempt even another two leagues beyond my door, I do not give you half a chance at survival,” Krem uttered, although it didn’t affect Adacon’s confidence.

“We must start east. If we can’t find Grelion, we shall go on eastward until we find free natives. Then we will unite with them to build an army,” Adacon said, as his mind swirled in patterns with no control. Krem interrupted him.

“We, hmmm? Who is this party you think to be assembled, that you speak of so surely in tone. You speak as if you are not the only one willing to die for your freedom,” Krem said.

“I have myself, and that is all I shall need for the moment. I know in my heart there are others like me, there has to be—how could this way of life have been tolerated for so long? All those who share this passion for freedom will follow me. For I’ve never felt love, such as you speak of, and I shall free myself to find it, at all costs.” Adacon glowered, and then he sighed, glancing to Krem’s large green eyes.

“I’ll tell you what I think, lad. You have the passion, and the virtue, you only need the path. I think it is time to bring about a relapse into the way of the ancients.”

“The way of the ancients?”

“Heh, so young and passionate, and yet you do not realize how dangerous you are, or the constant danger you are in.”

“I feel danger from nothing now.”

“That is not true,” Krem coldly replied.

“Upon a thousand leagues of this desert I swear to you, I will give my life for this cause,” Adacon pleaded, feeling as though the old man could help him greatly on his journey, if only he’d believe his sincerity.

“Then your mind is made up. The quest should start in the summoning of a small band of fighters. You escaped from your plantation leaving behind no guards, correct?” questioned Krem.

“I killed them all, yes.”

“It appears the goal of your quest is laid out plain enough in your mind, but the starting point remains shrouded in uncertainty,” Krem said, and he drew in a deep breath before continuing. “I think the first move you might make, if you’re inclined to take an