Emerald Fire by Kathryn Blade

Author:Kathryn Blade [Blade, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781097801367
Published: 2019-05-25T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The Journey South

“Derek, I would ask that you allow Ebin to travel to Riverpoint to ask for their alliance. If it pleases you, I would ask that a small detachment of men join him.” Loriann waited for Derek’s response. She could not bear the thought of returning to Riverpoint.

“Ebin, would you be willing to travel to Riverpoint?” Derek asked the young man.

Ebin grinned broadly, bobbing his head as he spoke, “Yes! I’ll travel to Riverpoint, thank you!” He understood the assignment was a great honor and spoke of the trust and place he had gained at Waelcombe Keep. “I can depart immediately if it pleases you.”

“Kaegan and I have discussed the need to gain support from Torgough Woods and Stratly Wilds. We will depart today,” Loriann added.

“By the gods! Stratly Wilds? How will you convince those savages to join our cause?” Derek’s eyes widened as he spoke, brows drawing together at the thoughts of what lay in wait for the couple there.

Kaegan chuckled, glancing at Loriann with a smile then back to Derek. “You must admit she’s convincing. Even the daerveth joined our cause.”

“You’re right, Kaegan. A detachment of men will accompany you,” Derek confirmed. “Make sure you take those damnable githok with you, would you?”

They ate the morning meal while exchanging companionable conversation. They prepared for the coming journeys. Ebin departed first, a broad smile brightening his face as he led the detachment from Waelcombe Keep. Kaegan and Loriann departed an hour later, githok circling overhead, much to the consternation of the men who accompanied them.

The first river crossing came as they neared Elingrey Run directly to the south of Waelcombe Keep. The wide estuary churned with frothing water. Others knew they could not gauge the river’s depth. Mysterious whirlpools spawned on its surface to suck unfortunate victims beneath the surface, never to be heard from again.

Few safe passages existed on the southeastern portion of the river. At least three known tributaries branched from the river, increasing its danger. Loriann and Kaegan’s party turned northwest, riding alongside the turbulent waters as they searched for a safe crossing. A half day’s ride after their journey started, a scout returned with news of safe passage to the northeast.

Kaegan sat astride a bay destrier surveying the potential river crossing. The churning water, tinged with reddish brown sediment from recent rains, looked less than promising from his viewpoint. The destrier pawed at the earth, tossing its head as if sensing Kaegan’s unease.

“Loriann?” He sought her opinion on the crossing as the innate wisdom and prudence she had demonstrated in the past had set the men’s nerves at rest.

“Not much better than what the river has shown us to the southeast.” She watched the rust-tinged water flow by.

She only revealed her powers to those who represented a threat. Most of the men had observed her powers in the sparring match at Waelcombe Keep several weeks before. The river crossing was an integral part of their journey. Without it, their paths would turn southwest to detour around the river.

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.