Born of Elven Blood by Kevin J. Anderson & John Gregory Betancourt

Author:Kevin J. Anderson & John Gregory Betancourt [Anderson, Kevin J.]
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction Fantasy & Magic
ISBN: 9781588246905
Publisher: Ipicturebooks
Published: 2010-03-06T19:30:00+00:00

At sunrise,

a party of six assembled in front of the

stables. The morning breeze carried a cool edge, and Maria wrapped a wool cloak over the riding habit she had borrowed from Deirdre. Cyn and the others dressed as they always did, but with short swords at their sides and knives in their belts.

"I'll get the horses," Charlie said, and he vanished into the stables. Cyn began checking over the provisions and baggage. Maria and Deirdre both yawned. The previous night they had stayed up late packing clothes, provisions, and herbal medicines, including muscle ointments and a sour-smelling herbal insect repellent that Deirdre insisted Maria would need for the trip.

"And what do I need these for?" Maria asked. She touched the gold earrings and spiral bracelets that Deirdre had given her. "Are they magic?"

"No," Deirdre said, "you just look pretty in them." Maria blushed.

Charlie appeared leading five horses and four mules with long ears and blunt heads. While Charlie, Felix, and Shane tied their baggage on the mules' backs, Deirdre led a large gray horse over to Maria. "Meet 7 0

A n d e r s o n & B e t a n c o u r t Bluebell," she said, rubbing the horse's nose. "She's as gentle as they come."

"She's so big," Maria said. The animal's back looked dauntingly high off the ground.

Deirdre made a step for her by linking her fingers together. "Let me give you a hand up. Just put your left foot here, and I'll lift you up." When Maria looked at her doubtfully, Deirdre added, "Trust me. She's so gentle you'd have to throw yourself to the ground to fall off her back."

Maria swallowed the doubts rising inside her. Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto Deirdre's hand and let the girl help swing her up into the saddle.

"See?" Deirdre said, looking up at Maria. "It's not so hard. You'll be fine, even without me along to help you."

Deirdre bent down to adjust the length of the stirrups and pushed Maria's toes into them. "Just keep your feet there. Don't worry, Bluebell's a real follower. She'll tag along without you doing much work." Cyn stood by his own black stallion that pranced impatiently. He swung into the saddle in a single fluid motion. He's been doing it for years, Maria reminded herself.

"Let's go!" Cyn called. "Good-bye, Deirdre."

"Say hello to all my cousins for me!" Deirdre said.

"I will," Maria promised. "Bye!" Bluebell trotted after Cyn and the others, and Cyn coached Maria as they rode. "Slide your feet further into the stirrups," he said. "Now sit forward a bit more . . . that's right!"

Sure enough, sitting on the horse suddenly felt better to Maria. Now, instead of jolting up and down with Bluebell's every step, she rode with the horse's gait.

B o r n o f E l v e n B l o o d

7 1

Charlie circled around and flanked her on the left, while Felix and Shane ranged ahead, whooping and racing up the road.

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