Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse

Author:Morgan L. Busse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Christian
ISBN: 9798886051414
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Published: 2024-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

22

Kaeden dropped onto the makeshift bed inside one of the small tents that housed the mineworkers who worked the quarry just outside Luith. He let out a long, slow breath. His muscles ached from a full day of labor, and his right hand felt raw under the glove he wore. He wanted nothing more than to shut his eyes and fall into a deep sleep, but his body was filthy and sweaty from work. With a groan, he sat back up. Best to wash up now and grab a bite from the food tent.

Outside, the bare hills turned gold beneath dying sunlight. Men lined up along the trickling stream that ran through the rocky valley, splashing water over their bodies and hair. Kaeden joined them, pulling his sweaty tunic off and throwing it to the side while keeping his one fingerless glove on his right hand. Better to keep the strange mark on his palm covered than answer questions. He washed his body, then hair, then his shirt. His pants were already wet from the washing. Good enough. Everything would be coated in dust and sweat again tomorrow.

As he wrung out his faded tunic, a short young man made his way along the stream. He wasn’t one of the laborers or foremen. He was skinny, and his clothes, though faded, were clean and showed signs of age, not hard labor. He appeared uneasy as he seemed to search for somebody.

Kaeden flicked the water from his hair. He would need a haircut soon.

“Are you Kaeden?”

Kaeden glanced over. The young man stood a couple feet away, holding a small rolled message. Kaeden stood to his full height, towering over the young man, who shrank under his stature.

“Yes, I am. Who’s looking for me?”

“I-I have a message for a Kaeden.”

Kaeden sighed. No matter what he did, his presence intimidated people. Most of the time he appreciated that fact. It kept people away. But at times like this, it aggravated him. What did the young man think he was going to do? Pummel him?

He held out his gloved hand. The young man stared at it for a moment, then dropped the message into his palm and quickly backed away. Kaeden fought the desire to growl. Instead, he broke the seal and read the words in the dying light. It was from Mathias. He hadn’t heard from Mathias in over a year—and hadn’t seen him in two.

Please come home. I am in great need of you here. When you arrive in Avonai, seek out The Seagull along the outer port and have the tavern keeper alert me to your arrival. Leave as soon as you can.

Mathias

Kaeden turned the note over to see if there was anything else, but that was all that was written on the small piece of paper. I need you.

“Why?” Kaeden muttered. Mathias knew Kaeden couldn’t use his Eldaran power. Not that he wanted to. He had no desire to help humans. Not after what they’d done to his family. “I’m no good, old man.

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