Curses and Warfare by Jeri Baird

Author:Jeri Baird
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Epic / Action & Adventure / War & Military
Publisher: North Star Editions
Published: 2017-07-06T14:15:02+00:00

Chapter THIRTY-THREE

Zephyr

A Protector led Zander from the stable. Zander didn’t even protest. Alexa was crying and Greydon looked grim. Zeph didn’t believe Zander killed Lash. More likely, Elder Terrec hauled him home and hid him. And speaking of—Terrec walked back into the stable.

“I believe that’s three times your friend has been in jail. Not much of a leader.”

“You know he didn’t kill Lash.”

“Do I?” Terrec smirked. “He had motive and Lash is missing. And I need both of them out of the way.”

“So you got what you wanted. Leave me alone.” Zeph hated standing there with Terrec, but he suspected the scoundrel wasn’t done with him yet.

“Now, Son, I just want you to think about some things.” Terrec clasped his hands across his belly. “You think Zander’s your friend, but Lash told me how Zander allows the warriors to pick on you.”

Zeph started. Lash was the bully.

“In fact, Zander told Greydon he thought it would make you stronger. That you were too weak to be a warrior, and the only reason he let you join was because he felt sorry for you.”

Heat rose from Zeph’s chest to his face. He’d suspected Zander felt sorry for him, but he didn’t think he’d talk about him to the others. He knew he didn’t measure up to the other warriors. Why else would Zander have let him join unless he felt sorry for him? Sweat broke out on his forehead.

Dorothy brayed from her stall. He had a donkey for a patron. A jenny. Zander had barely held back his laughter when he found out.

Terrec placed his hand on Zeph’s shoulder. “Del would respect you. He’d never let the others bully you. He knows you’re his brother, his family.”

Family—Zeph hadn’t had much of that. He’d always wanted an older brother. And with Zander in jail, someone needed to continue their training. Why not Del?

“The warriors won’t listen to me.”

“They will if you say Zander wants it.”

“But Greydon will know that’s not true.”

“I’ve bribed the jailer.” Terrec looked smug. “You’re the only one allowed to visit Zander. Go to him. Suggest Del. It doesn’t matter if he agrees or doesn’t. Tomorrow, you tell the warriors that Zander wants Del to take over while he’s away.”

“You want me to lie?”

Terrec grabbed Zeph’s arm and hissed, “Your mother’s safety depends on you, and you’re worried about a little lie?”

Mother had struggled all his life just to feed him, and not done a very good job of it, but he knew she loved him. He’d never forgive himself if she was hurt because of him. Maybe it would be better if Zander weren’t in charge. If he was in jail when they were invaded, it might even save Zander’s life.

He sucked in a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll do it.”

3

An hour later, Zeph trudged down the alley to the jail. It stank. The jailer left him at the iron gate where Zander slumped on the other side with his head on his knees. A half-dozen men sprawled across the dirt floor.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.