Dare (The Blades of Acktar Book 1) by Mingerink Tricia

Author:Mingerink, Tricia [Mingerink, Tricia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Sword & Cross Publishing
Published: 2015-06-01T04:00:00+00:00

22

Leith studied the hoof prints in the dust of the game trail descending the canyon’s side from the direction of Uster. The early afternoon sun flayed the back of his neck, but at least the canyon wall would provide shade in another hour.

He searched for footprints, but he didn’t see any. Martyn must still be out on the prairie.

Standing, Leith dusted off his knees and returned to where he’d left Shad around a bend in the canyon wall. “Looks like your father took an hour or so to meet with Lord Segon in Uster. Sixth Blade Martyn Hamish is stationed there. As soon as he can sneak away safely, he’s going to be headed this way expecting to meet me.”

“Do you have to talk with him?” Shad's brown eyes narrowed.

“Yes. It’s an old understanding.” Friendship would be a better word for it, but Leith didn’t want Shad to hear him say it. While it’d be safer to meet Martyn at the canyon rim and away from Shad, Shad wouldn’t want him out of sight or earshot. “Walk your horse along the trail your father and his guards left until you’re passed that stand of trees up ahead.”

Eyes still narrowed, Shad tugged his horse forward. Leith followed, purposely scuffing his feet to kick as much dirt and sand around as possible. He needed to obscure the trail so Martyn wouldn’t notice the extra set of fresh tracks.

He spotted a thicket of spruce and firs clumped against the canyon wall. That’s where Martyn’s camp would be. As they passed the trees, a whuffing snort from Martyn’s horse told him he’d guessed right.

On the other side of the thicket, Leith waved Shad over to a stack of boulders that had tumbled from the canyon face at one point. A ledge protruded a few yards above, hiding the spot from the canyon’s rim. “Stay here and keep your horse quiet. You’ll hear everything we say, but we’ll also hear you if you make noise.”

Shad placed his hand on his horse’s nose. He raised his eyebrows. “I suppose you’re going to ask for your knives back?”

“Martyn’s going to think something’s strange if I don’t have them.” Leith kept his arms loose at his sides. They’d built something resembling trust in the three days they’d travelled together. But would it be enough?

Something rattled along the trail into the canyon. Shad glanced toward the sound, and his shoulders straightened. He yanked the bundle of Leith’s weapons off his saddle and shoved them at Leith.

Leith grabbed them, gripped Blizzard’s reins, and tugged the horse into the thicket. On one side, a small puddle collected the water trickling from a crack in the canyon wall. Martyn’s dust-colored horse stood beside it, head up, ears pricked in their direction. The remains of a fire piled against the canyon wall where it couldn’t be seen from above while Martyn’s pack and bedroll lay tucked under a rock shelf next to his horse.

Dropping Blizzard’s reins next to Martyn’s horse, Leith buckled on his weapons as fast as he could.

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