Ashen (Chronicles of Warshard Book 3) by Katherine Bogle

Author:Katherine Bogle [Bogle, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Published: 2017-11-28T05:00:00+00:00

By morning, the group set out for the nearest town, a small village called Randsa. It was a fair distance, but with energy coursing through Adni’s limbs, and a desperation to reach Palmyra, the trip didn’t daunt her.

Roots stuck from the pine needle covered earth, threatening to trip her with every step. Adni kept her eye on them while trying to keep up with the horse. Astrid rose behind the slumped over James. She cast glances over her shoulder at Adni and Julian, clearly worried James wouldn’t make it to Randsa, but kept the brown horse, Martin, at a steady pace all the same. Though his white snout was graying, he trotted like a newborn, happy to be free of his pen in the woods.

Astrid led the way through the forest, Adni and Julian racing to keep up. They leapt over branches, fallen trees, skirted thick bushes and dodged roots the best they could. Adni’s heart pounded in her ears. She hadn’t felt so alive in some time. With the scent of sap in the air, and sunlight heating her cheeks, she was all too happy at their pace. It sent her pulse racing and her chest aflame with each breath.

In the forest, she was wild and free. She could soar through the trees and jump any hurdles. Julian wasn’t far off, flashing her adrenaline filled grins between trees.

Was this the endless energy and power of the ashen? She had had this power her whole life, but never gotten the chance to use it. In the mountains everything was cramped and close quarters. She could hardly throw an arm out without hitting one of her siblings—or a stone wall. But in the world beyond the mountains, space was endless. Why would anyone want to be stuck in such darkness?

By noon, they reached the town, covered in sweat, and a smile stuck to her face as they entered along the main road.

Chatter rose on the wind, along with the smell of burning wood. Randsa wasn’t quite the size of Elmhurst. It had half the amount of homes, none of which were two stories, and half the people. Few children roamed the streets between wood and cobblestone homes. She was sure there had to be more cattle than people. But still the people that were there they smiled in the warm sun and went about their days.

Astrid slowed the horse to let Adni and Julian catch up. Adni breathed heavily as she leaned against Martin’s hindquarters. Though her heart was full and her chest light, Astrid’s face was grim.

Adni squashed her smile and squeezed the princess’s fingers. She couldn’t tell the princess that her lover would be all right. She didn’t know if he’d survive his time in Izenfir or not, but she prayed to whatever gods were listening that he would.

Julian took up the lead. The woodcutter had told her where to go, a barn at the end of the lane, with a wooden fence and a small cottage next to it.

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