Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Author:Cayla Kluver [Kluver, Cayla]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2009-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

It was a week later when Miranna and I climbed into the buggy to begin another journey to Koranis’s estate. As we traversed the countryside, I could see villagers hard at work in the fields, bringing in the crops. I myself did little to assist with the preparations for winter, but all the same, their activities were a sign of the approaching faire and tournament that celebrated the end of the harvest—an event that was a source of excitement for me as well as everybody else.

As we arrived at Koranis’s home, I knew by the way Tadark’s jaw locked that he remained adamantly opposed to the idea of Narian instructing me in self-defense. I, on the other hand, was looking forward to Narian’s teaching, and had been practicing the movements he had shown me with the half-sword using the only tools available to me—a hairbrush and a fireplace poker. I again had my breeches with me, having debated wearing the trousers underneath my regular clothing, but ultimately deciding I did not want their roughness against my legs as we traveled. To simplify changing, however, I was wearing a basic skirt and blouse, and my hair hung down my back in a long plait so it would not draw Narian’s criticism.

After greeting Koranis and Alantonya, my sister and I, accompanied by Semari, Narian and our bodyguards, went off to enjoy the day. The weather was continuing to cool, and Alantonya had suggested that instead of visiting the river, we pick berries down at the forest’s edge. We took several willow baskets to fill as the fruit would be plentiful at this time of year.

To save ourselves having to haul the filled baskets back to the house, we concluded it would be wise to make use of the buggy. Halias handled the reins, to spare our poor driver the boredom of watching while we picked the fruit, and I sat in front with him. Miranna and Semari were in the seat behind with the baskets at their feet, and Tadark rode his own mount. Narian received permission to ride Halias’s sorrel gelding and was thus saved the effort of saddling one of his father’s horses, and with that the six of us were on our way.

The berry bushes were not far from the beginning of the path through the woods that we followed to reach the river, perhaps less than a quarter mile. The leaves on the trees and bushes were now transforming their colors, painting Koranis’s estate in gorgeous tones of deep gold, orange and russet. I had not thought the Baron’s land could be any more beautiful, but the mixed palette of the forest was breathtaking.

Upon reaching our destination, Halias tied the horses to the trunk of a tree and helped me down from the buggy, but before he could extend the same courtesy to Miranna or Semari, they had jumped to the ground, each carrying a basket, and had run toward the tree line.

I glanced under the backseat of the buggy where I had hidden the package containing my breeches prior to leaving the city.

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