Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
King Dravic’s voice cracked like a whip. “Roth, you succumbed to a Hunter’s punch?”
The warrior tried hard not to show fear, but his body betrayed him with a shiver. “Aye, my king.”
The king pointed to Elara. “You struck that woman?”
Roth nodded rapidly, feeling more confident. “Aye, my king. She possesses evil magic. She had a vision.”
Silence struck as loud as a thunderbolt, not a breath being heard.
“How do you know this, Roth?” the king demanded.
“I heard her say, ‘I saw it,’ after hugging the old woman.”
“And you assumed by overheard words, while hugging an old woman, she had a vision?” the king asked, glaring at the warrior.
Chuckles could be heard at the foolishness of the warrior, though they ceased quickly when the king cast a disapproving look over the crowd.
“Did you question her, ask her what she meant, what others heard?” the king asked, his annoyance growing.
Maelis spoke up. “He heard wrong, my king. I asked Elara if she had seen a healer, a friend of ours, and she told me she saw her.”
“That’s a lie!” Roth shouted. “I heard well enough. She is an evil threat, and I hurried to imprison her, then inform you, my king.”
Murmurs circled throughout the king’s warriors, the Hunters, and the villagers who had gathered.
“Yet you failed,” the king said, calmly, much too calmly and anyone near him stepped away. “You, an elite warrior of Scotara, failed to defend yourself against a mere Hunter, then you failed to secure a healer who possibly has the power of vision and could prove to be helpful under my command. You failed me. You failed Scotara. Worst of all, you dishonored yourself.” He paused before delivering the final blow. “You, Roth of the elite guard, are banished from Caerith.”
His head snapped back as if the king had struck him, “Nay. Nay. Please, my king, I beg you. I will do anything to regain my honor. Please, my king.”
“Once he is stripped of his official garments bring him to my solar,” the king ordered.
Roth was dragged away, begging for another chance.
The king pointed at Dar, then Elara. “You two come with me.”
Dar swept her along so fast to follow the king that Elara barely had time to turn to Maelis and say, “All will be well.”
The old woman called out, “Stay safe.”
They were no sooner away from prying eyes and ears that stretched to hear, then the king stopped, bringing them both to an abrupt halt.
“Did you have a vision?” He gave her no time to respond. “And give it thought before you think to lie to me. I have a distinct way of getting the truth from people.”
It was easy to speak truthfully. “Your warrior was correct. I had a vision when I hugged the old healer.”
“So, the old healer lied,” the king accused.
Elara thought quickly and purposely avoided using Maelis’s name. “Nay, she does not know I had a vision. I let no one know and would not have told Dar if he had not seen it himself.”
“Wise woman,” the king said, then his tone turned demanding. “What did you see?”
“I saw my friend reach Birkfell safely and friends greet her with relief.”
“A thoughtful vision that serves me no purpose,” the king complained.
“But it does let you know that your plan goes well and healers return home safely, which helps me as I travel through Leighfeld,” Elara said.
“You think fast,” the king said. “Now use your visions to find what I look for or suffer the consequences.” He turned to Dar. “She is not an easy wife to have. Keep a firm hand on her. And come see me—you alone—before you take your leave.”
He walked off sneering and muttering and Elara wondered how Adira would ever survive such an ill-tempered and demanding man.
Dar’s hand went to Elara’s face to faintly brush the red welt left from the harsh blow. “The warrior deserves to die for touching you.”
The concern in his voice, the gentleness of his touch made Elara think that he more than just cared for her. Something, no doubt she wanted to believe. That everything he did for her was out of… love. A foolish and dangerous thought and one she should not even entertain.
Elara gathered her straying thoughts and said, “I would think death would be a better result for him than being banished from the king’s elite warriors.”
Dar’s eyes narrowed. “It takes extensive training to be part of the king’s elite warriors, and it would take more than a slap to a woman’s face for the king to banish one of them.”
Her brow scrunched. “What do you mean?”
“The king intends to use his warrior in another way, and I have no doubt it has something to do with us.”
Alarmed, Elara asked, “Us? What could he possibly have to do with us?”
“The warrior will be ordered to follow us unnoticed and report back to the king about what he sees.”