The Archer's Cup (Green Ember Archer Book 3) by S. D. Smith

Author:S. D. Smith [Smith, S. D.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Story Warren Books
Published: 2020-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

What are you doing here?” Jo said, crossing to embrace his friend. “Oh, sorry, sir,” he said, breaking the hug to salute. “I’m forgetting my place.”

“We’re friends first, Jo,” Nate said, smiling. “My team—your old pals in the Bracers—met up with Lord Blackstar and Mrs. Weaver. They asked us to come and supplement your force.”

“That’s fantastic, Captain,” Jo said. “This place is …” he got closer to Nate, “this place is all sorts of strange.”

“I’m getting that picture,” Nate said, nodding. “Is there anything I can do for you now? Is Her Royal Highness well?”

“She’s well. Resting now, finally,” Jo replied. “We had an eventful beginning to our stay here. I should catch you up on what’s happened so far. But,” he continued, looking around, “not here.”

Nate followed Jo as he crossed the common again and entered the long corridor leading to the mess hall. “It’s a real thrill to be backing you up, Jo,” Nate said. “The Fowlers are setting the example and standard for the rest of us. We kind of brag about you—that you used to be in our company.”

“That’s incredible, Nate,” Jo said, “because I feel the same about you all. Especially you. It was such an honor to fight alongside you. And I’ll always be grateful you gave me that chance.”

“Thank you, Jo.”

As they walked the long corridors, Jo proceeded to tell Nate about Lord Ronan’s condition, about Bane Graveheart, Matron Wilder, Lead Captain Truff, and Lokson. Jo talked about the suspicions he had about all of them. And, finally, he told of Matron Wilder’s arrest.

“Do you believe that Matron Wilder was Graveheart?” Nate asked.

“It had to be one of the keymasters,” Jo answered, “and she seemed the most likely. No one else could have gotten behind the water gate. It leads all the way up to Black Lake, and they get all their water from the dam and levee system there. It’s secure.”

“If it isn’t Jo Shanks,” came a call from behind. Jo spun to see Captain Cheltham hurrying up. “Jo, come and shoot with me. Let’s have a friendly competition. Maybe you’ll shoot better without the pressure you were under this morning. You can bring your friend.”

“No thank you,” Jo said, turning back to Nate.

“Afraid you’re going to miss something important?” Cheltham asked, his tone mocking. “I mean, miss something else important today?”

Jo breathed deeply, ignoring Cheltham’s jibes. Nate spun on Cheltham. “What are you implying?” he snapped. “Jo Shanks is one of the finest, if not the finest, archer in all Natalia. He has done more in this war than the next ten best archers combined. If you have a problem with him, then you have a problem with me.”

“He’s maybe the second-best archer in this citadel right now,” Cheltham replied snidely. “He’s certainly not the best in Natalia. How would you know, anyway?”

“Captain Cheltham,” Jo said, motioning to the black-clad archer, “this is Captain Flynn. Captain Flynn, this is Captain Cheltham.”

“The Nate Flynn?” Cheltham asked, his tone changing at once and a look of surprise on his usually haughty face.

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.