A World Without Heroes - Brandon Mull [116]
“Not if we get the Word,” Rachel said.
Ferrin laughed again. “You have no chance of finishing the Word! Maldor has monitored you this entire time. When I became your observer, I had details of everywhere you had been. When he wants to capture you, he will. If you send me away, his forces will probably swoop in immediately. You can’t imagine the resources he could bring against you. Pray he does not send a lurker.”
“We’re not going to quit,” Jason said.
“I never really expected you to resign,” Ferrin sighed. “I just wish you would. Try not to resist when they come for you. They will kill you if you fight. Or you might kill yourselves, if you’re not careful with that orantium.”
“Thanks for the advice,” Rachel said bitterly.
“Don’t be so spiteful,” Ferrin said. “You should be flattered. Maldor rarely dispatches an observer. He has not shown this much interest in an adversary for several years.”
“We’re deeply honored,” Jason said dryly.
Ferrin folded his arms. “You’re from the Beyond. Why do you care about stopping Maldor anyway?”
Jason shrugged. “It just sounded like fun.”
“Be serious,” Ferrin said.
Jason paused, reflecting. “I don’t know. I came to Lyrian by accident. I found the stupid book by accident. Then I met Galloran, who explained about Maldor. Even after leaving him, I was still most interested in getting home.”
“Why not make that your focus?” Ferrin encouraged. “I might be able to help you there. This isn’t your world. This isn’t your battle.”
Jason frowned. “It’s becoming my battle. This might not be my world, but it’s a world. A whole world. Innocent people living in fear and having terrible things happen to them for no reason. Aster was killed, and Franny had her life ruined, just for being nice to me. Norval gave his life for me. The more I see of those who work for Maldor, and the more I see of the few people who try to go up against him, the more I realize this is truly good against evil. And good is losing. What if we can change that?”
“We have to try,” Rachel agreed firmly.
“Maybe you’re smart,” Ferrin mused.
“Why?” Jason asked.
“Well, if you had submitted too easily, Maldor might have lost respect for you.”
“That was a close one,” Rachel said. “We really crave his respect.”
“You think you’re joking. His respect may keep you alive. It’s your only hope.”
Jason sighed. “We’re running out of daylight.”
“You won’t get far,” Ferrin predicted sadly. “Maldor’s servants will fall upon you within a day. You’ll resist, but it will be a fruitless exercise. Be smart enough to accept the inevitable. Nobody can blame you for that. Otherwise, no matter what you do, you’ll shortly be killed or captured.”
“None of your business anymore,” Rachel said.
“I’ll always take an interest,” Ferrin asserted. “Where are you going?”
“Like we would tell you!” Jason huffed.
“Do you know where you’re going?”
Jason shrugged.
“Let me warn you. To the northwest the mountains become impassable. North and east of here lie the Sunken Lands. You need serious provisions if you’re headed that way. It’s swampland. There’s little drinkable water. South lies Trensicourt. Stay away from there. You’ll find scattered towns to the west. The westward wilderness holds certain perils, but a person could lose pursuers there, and you will find plenty of bubblefruit if you keep both eyes open.”
Ferrin opened a pouch, removing two silver pellets and two gold ones.
“I don’t want your money,” Jason said.
“Why not? I’m just returning a gift I didn’t deserve. This may be my last chance to help you. I am headed far away.”
Jason took the pellets.
“Take this crossbow too.” Ferrin held it out to Rachel.
She shouldered the weapon.
“Sure you don’t want to accept the invitation to the Eternal Feast?” Ferrin asked