02 The Riven Kingdom by Miller Karen

Author:Miller, Karen [Karen, Miller,]
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2010-04-10T21:09:10.893000+00:00

Dexterity and Helfred godspeaker tried to drag him from the stream.

Wei! Wei! he cried, shaking them loose.

They took hold of him again, he did not break their bones. He did not want to hurt kind Dexterity or Helfred godspeaker. All he wanted was the god. Dexterity and Helfred pushed and pulled him towards the streams edge. He freed himself a second time and opened more bleeding wounds in his flesh.

Where are you, god? Let me hear your voice!

The god was silent, it was too far away. In his head he heard himself screaming.

I am here, god! I am Zandakar! Why will you not speak?

Get him out of there, Jones!

That was Ursa, shouting. Dexterity and Helfred godspeaker seized him again, he could not defeat them, the gods cruel silence had swallowed his strength. They hauled him from the water and flung him to the cold, damp grass. Then Ursa was there, kneeling astride him. Her hands framed his face, she was staring at him with her fierce healers eyes. He tried to throw her clear but her knees clamped round his heaving ribs. Her strong fingers pried his mouth open, something thick and sour poured over his tongue. Pressure on his throat meant he had to swallow.

Lilit . . . Lilit . . . Yuma . . . wei . . . His voice was a whisper, its strength lost to despair. Behind Ursa stood Rhian, with tears on her face.

The blue sky dimmed and the world went away.

All right, Mr Jones, said Rhian severely. Ive been patient long enough. I want the truth now. All of it. Who is Zandakar?

Mr Jones stared at her, still shaken, and managed a helpless little shrug. Your Highness, I cant tell you.

She felt her precarious temper stir. Mr Jones, are you under the impression Im giving you a choice? I assure you Im not!

Sitting on the vans bench, where shed ordered him, Mr Jones winced. No, Your Highness.

She stood with her back to the vans closed hinged door, arms folded tightly across her chest. Zandakar lay on the bottom sleeping-shelf, breathing slowly and heavily thanks to Ursas potion. The ragged slashes on his arms had been smeared with green ointment and neatly bandaged. Ursa and Helfred were outside, making smoked bacon and vegetable soup. The faintest aroma seeped inside. It smelled wonderful. A pity her belly was too knotted to appreciate the thought of food.

For the love of Rollin, how can I hope to rule this kingdom if people are forever trying to protect me? Monarchs cant be protected! We live in the harsh glare of judgement and difficult decisions. Thats what it means to be a monarch!

Or so her father had taught her. And he was right. Mr Jones was looking apologetic. The thing is, Highness, I honestly dont know. You said he was your friend! How can you be friends with a man you dont know? Its . . . oh dear. Its complicated.

I dont care! Tell me!

Hesitantly at first, and then with more confidence, he began to speak.

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