Dark Light (Web of Light Duology Book 2) by Kyra Dune

Author:Kyra Dune [Dune, Kyra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Portal Books
Published: 2013-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

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Shortly after midday, Tyde and the Free Zoners came across a group of about thirty humans gathered on the bank of a narrow river. The humans eyed them with weary and frightened expressions.

Banto called the column to a halt, then dismounted. After taking his cane from the side of his saddle, he limped over to the humans. “No need to be afraid,” he said in his most pleasant voice. “We mean you no harm. But what’s driven you from Council Territory?”

For a moment, no one replied, then a middle aged woman with graying hair in a frazzled bun stepped forward. “The Harmony Woods are burning. It was the witches, I know, I’ve seen drawings of their flying ships. We...” She glanced over her shoulder at the others. “We don’t know what’s happening. Do you?”

Banto nodded. “The treaty has been broken. We’re at war.”

A low murmur rolled through the humans. “Who are you?” a man not much older than Tyde demanded. “How do you know we’re at war?”

“I am Head of the people of the Free Zone. And this young man,” he indicated Tyde, “was on Star Mountain. He saw with his own eyes and heard with his own ears. Let him tell you.”

Tyde slid off Shebata’s back and joined Banto. The humans stared at him in open surprise. “I am Gari-Za,” he said, wishing Iza was here. She would know so much better than he what were the right words to say. “I traveled with the High Priest of my people and his heir to a Conclave on the mountain. He was murdered there for standing against Queen Eanndra’s desire to make war on Dyschordia. As Banto said, the treaty is now broken and the queen’s ships sail toward the Outlands.”

“What became of our Council Head?” the woman asked.

“The last I know, he was a prisoner of the witches. For he, too, spoke against the queen. This is why your woods burn.”

While the other humans spoke among themselves, the first woman took a step toward Tyde. “Will you go there? To the Outlands, I mean?” Her pale eyes scanned the armed warriors. “You certainly look ready for war.”

“Yes,” Tyde said. “We will fight.”

“I see. My name is Cari,” she drew herself up a little taller, “and I would like to go with you.”

Tyde raised a brow. “You can fight?”

A slight smile touched the corners of her lips. “No. But I know of the healing arts and I would imagine such a skill will be as useful on a battlefield as wielding a weapon.”

“You think right,” Banto said. “As for the rest of the you, I can spare two of my people to lead you to the nearest village. You’ll be safe there.”

Though the humans seemed reluctant, no one protested when Banto called out two of his warriors and assigned them to see the group to safety. Then he turned to Cari and said, “You can ride double with Orpheus.”

The slight woman looked uncertainly up at the scarred man as he held his hand out to her.

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