The Zulani Empire by Andrew G Wood

Author:Andrew G Wood [Wood, Andrew G]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 26806629
Published: 2015-06-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14.

It was late afternoon, and the sun was low in the sky. After another long day in the saddle, the town of Forwich eventually came into view. Hope felt the excitement building within her as she exclaimed to Arran this was her home. She could tell by the look on his face that he appeared nearly as nervous as she was. "Do you think I will be welcome here Hope?" he asked as they drew ever nearer. Hope did not want to put him off, by telling him that almost certainly Darak would not want anything to do with him. She held a little more hope for her mother and Luca, and of course little Leah liked everybody.

The first thing she noticed that was a little unusual, was the fact the town gates were closed. The guards that normally stood outside the open gates were positioned on the walkways above it. As her group approached, they were hailed to identify themselves. Hope noticed half a dozen or more soldiers appear atop the wall either side of the gate. Each held a crossbow in hand and aimed it in their general direction. "We have been sent by Lord Levin of Lanber. We are returning the Lady Hope to her home," the lead soldier shouted up to the guards.

Hope looked up, confused as to what was going on. "Are they always so selective on who they let into your town Hope?" Arran asked her. She shook her head, still looking up at the guards, realising they were Darak's house guards. She watched them talk amongst themselves for a few moments, before one of them vanished out of her view. Those holding the bows, still remained in place, as one of the guards shouted down they would open the gate.

She could hear the sound of the gate being unlocked from within, and then a loud creak as the huge wooden, iron studded gates swung open just enough for them to continue inside. Hope looked back, noticing they were closed immediately the last rider was through. Something was going on, and she needed to know what. Had Dalia and her Darekian army attacked here whilst she had been away? No, she thought, the Darekian witch was heading back to her homeland. As her mind was on trying to figure out what was happening, she failed to notice the fact they were approaching the walled property she had called home.

The first thing she heard was her name being called. She looked up and realised her mother was standing at the gate waving in her direction. Without a second thought, Hope trotted her horse forward quickly. She almost jumped down from her mount, before embracing the woman she called mother. She could feel the tears of joy welling up, and could not help them as they started streaming down her young cheeks. She heard her name again, and lifted her head from her mother's shoulder to see her little sister Leah approaching, holding hands with her father.

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