Free the North! (Free Trader Series Book 5) by Craig Martelle

Author:Craig Martelle [Martelle, Craig]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-08-16T03:00:00+00:00

Everything’s Different, but the Same

The King of the Aurochs slowed to get the wagon from the rougher terrain road to the well-worn path beside the road of the ancients. Once there, the smooth going and a sunny day allowed Brandt to run, almost like he used to. Arnie ran behind the wagon, stretching out to match the speed of the much larger bull.

Skirill told them that their target had already stopped at a river crossing to water the horse. Brandt added a burst of speed, hoping to catch the rider unaware. Braden watched through the Hawkoid’s eyes as the person turned, looking south. They dragged the horse out of the water and tried to mount, but the horse seemingly didn’t like to be hurried. Brandt rolled up onto the road and Arnie ran to the left side. They’d trap the horse and rider between them. Braden and Micah readied their bows.

The rider became frantic and when it became apparent there was no escape, the individual waded into the water and tried to swim to the other side. Skirill and Zyena flew in front of the person’s face, crisscrossing before them, tracing lines in the water with their claws. With a deep sigh, the swimmer turned and headed back to shore. Brandt and Arnie helped themselves to a drink while Braden and Micah waited.

A young girl waded out and stood between them. She looked down at the ground, tears trailing down her cheeks. “Are you going to kill me, too?” she stammered in a small voice. “Like you killed my dad?”

Micah was crushed. She never thought of the government officials as family men. Braden exhaled loudly, throwing his head back. Bounder and Gray Strider approached as did Patrice and Delavigne. Surprise and shock seized the girl, she started panting, turned blue, and passed out. Braden caught her before she fell back into the water. He carried her to the wagon and gently put her inside. Zeller cradled the young girl’s head in her lap. Micah couldn’t look at her. Braden put his arm around Micah’s shoulders as they walked away.

“We had no choice and I hate to say it, we’re going to create a bunch more orphans before this is over, and hopefully, the orphans won’t be our own children.” That thought sobered Micah. “Imagine a world without trade? Neither can I,” Braden said as he hugged his partner, letting her work through the anguish that gripped her.

They heard Zeller’s voice. “Those are our friends. This is Bounder and his mate Gray Strider. This is Patrice and here’s Delavigne. The large Aurochs is Brandt and the other is Arnie.”

“Can I pet them?” the little girl asked. Micah choked back tears, wondering at the resilience of a child who’d just lost a parent.

Bounder put his muzzle into the back of the wagon. A small hand reached out and rubbed his neck fur, scratched behind his ears. Gray Strider leaned in next and received the same treatment. G-War rubbed against the young girl, then looked at her intently.

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