Fabled (Fabled Hunters Book 1) by Kara Jaynes

Author:Kara Jaynes [Jaynes, Kara]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2016-07-05T04:00:00+00:00

19

Bethyl was a fairly quiet city that looked more like a large town. It was surrounded by a wall of tall wooden stakes sharpened to a point. The houses were small with worn out white plastered sides. The people seemed friendly enough, but eyed Jack and Isabelle warily as if unused to strangers.

Jack entered the first inn they came across. After their scrape with the robbers, both he and Isabelle decided staying inside walls of civilization might be safer.

The innkeeper was a round, portly man who talked nonstop from the moment they entered. He was delighted when Jack suggested he play his harp in exchange for room and board. “We don’t get strangers here very often,” he said as he led them upstairs to show them their rooms. “Not with the witch and all. The usual customers will be thrilled. Yes, I suspect business will be splendid.” He smiled fondly at the harp case on Jack’s shoulder.

Isabelle frowned at the innkeeper. “Witch?”

The innkeeper nodded vigorously. “Yes, haven’t you heard? A witch resides in a crumbling castle not five miles from here. Bethyl was built many years ago when the witch promised our forefathers her protection. But something changed. Now she’d kidnap you, miss, and turn this lad here to stone if you were to venture near her castle.”

“Well, I don’t fancy being turned to stone.” Jack strode over to the bed, placing his harp case on it. “Don’t fret. We’ll be sure to stay away.”

Isabelle tilted her head, considering the innkeeper’s words. “The witch has been keeping travelers away then?”

The man chuckled at her words, shaking his bald head. “Would you have come by this way if you’d heard of it beforehand? Elris is an unforgiving woman. She turns men to stone and will only release them if they are able to give her something of value. Young maidens—such as yourself—are never seen again. What befalls them, I do not know, but you’d be wise to stay away.”

“Have you asked the Fabled Hunters for help?” Isabelle tried to make her tone sound casual but she saw Jack stiffen out of the corner of her eye.

“Yes, miss, we have,” the innkeeper said. “They never were able to successfully break through the magical barrier she has around her castle. So we just warn passersby as best we may.”

After the innkeeper left the room, Isabelle turned to Jack with a bright smile. “Well, I guess the other room is mine then.”

Jack wore a stern glower, his arms crossed. “You’re going to stay away from that witch, Isabelle.”

Isabelle met his frown with one of her own. “Why? The witch has been a menace, and I need to solve a quest. Time is running out, Jack. I have until the first of summer. That’s only a few weeks away.”

“I don’t care,” Jack growled. “We’ll think of something.” He brightened. “You can work with me. I’ll tell the king you helped me win the golden chicken. We can both claim the quest as our own.”

Isabelle leaned against the plaster wall in the small room.

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.