The Afterward by E.K. Johnston

Author:E.K. Johnston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2019-02-19T05:00:00+00:00

AFTER

Lycenia was one of the largest provinces in Cadrium, and was located a few days east of the city. Mostly arable farmland, Lycenia butted up against the eastern wastes, which were largely unpopulated due to the paucity of fresh water in the region. Kalanthe had been to the wastes before, of course, while on the Quest, but they had gone there by a circuitous route, following folktales and hedge-stories, and then journeyed north to the coast, so she had never been to Sir Edramore’s home.

Sir Branthear had, but not for several years. Still, she was able to point out several of the more notable landmarks as they rode along. Their pace was easy. They had stayed the night before in an inn that was a step up from their usual, because Kalanthe wanted a proper bath. It wasn’t just Edramore she had to impress, of course, but his entire household, and she wouldn’t do that if she showed up late at night with half the dust in east Cadrium lodged under her fingernails. So she and Branthear had stopped early for the night, taken the time to make themselves presentable, and now they were nearly arrived.

Kalanthe was wearing her chainmail, but no helmet. She had left most of her hair loose down her back, but had put several braids across the crown of her head to keep it from blowing in her eyes as she rode. She wore a deep red tunic that Triana had embroidered in gold to set off her brown skin, and hose of the same colour. Her boots had been polished to a gleaming shine and came up past her knees. She carried a royal shield because she was still not permitted to carry her own colours and wore her signet rings openly on her right hand. She was mounted on Lightfoot, having decided against Arrow, fearing that arriving on a charger would have been too much of a statement, and she couldn’t bring herself to ride the gelding, though she had finally named it Constance because it was the most reliable animal she had ever seen.

Beside her, Sir Branthear rode in full armour, mounted on her charger, because as a knight she was entitled to make all the statements she liked. Together, they rode through the village that was on the outskirts of Edramore’s main estate and tried to ignore all the day labourers and children who stared at them.

The main estate itself was unfortified, though it was surrounded by a low stone wall. The grounds comprised several outbuildings and one very large house. All the structures, even the one Kalanthe suspected of being the chicken coop, were made of stone that gleamed under a new spring coat of whitewash. The outbuildings had thatched roofs, while the main house had red roof tiles. It was orderly, functional, and almost excruciatingly homelike.

They had been spotted, as had been their intent, so by the time Branthear led the way through the gate, where they left their spare

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