Read Online Chael's Luck (A Knights of Dorathan Novel) by Mireille Chester - Free Book Online

We actually grew up on
neighboring farms. I lived in the one you grew up in and his
parents owned the land next to ours. We were good friends,
actually.”
    “But not anymore?”
    He gave a tired shrugged. “Lots changed the
day you were born, Chael, you know that. I’ve never kept any
secrets from you.” He sent me a small smile that barely reached his
eyes. “I thought you were a curse; that I’d done something to anger
the gods. I saw no one save for your aunt and uncle for two entire
years. For the first year, your aunt wouldn’t let us out of her
sight. She was certain I’d try to do away with you if I were left
alone with you.”
    My throat tightened and I swallowed hard, not
because of the story my father was telling; I’d heard it before,
but because it brought to mind the fact that my aunt was no longer
going to be around. She’d been so protective of me.
    “Of course, she was wrong. When I went back
to the room to say goodbye to your mother, you were sleeping on
your aunt. Maybe I thought to kill you; it’s been so long, now, I
can’t really remember. It was your eyes. You opened them and looked
straight to the core of me. They say babies are usually born with
blue eyes and then they change colors. Not yours. Yours were as
bright and as green as they are today.
    “I kept to myself for two years. I didn’t
talk to anyone. It simply took that long to come to terms with
everything that had happened and to make a plan for the future. You
should have seen Robert’s face when I walked into the great hall to
ask the council’s forgiveness; that they not take my abandonment of
my posts out on you. If it weren’t for him, I’d no longer be a
Knight and you’d never have begun your training to become one.”
    He nodded as if to reaffirm what he’d
previously said. “If you ever get in a bind and I’m not around,
he’s the man I want you to go to.”
    I frowned. “Does he know?”
    “Good gods, no!” He shook his head. He pushed
open the door and made his way to his bedroom. I took in the image
before me and my heart dropped. He looked beaten. His hair was wet
from the mist outside and lay flat on his head, his shoulders
slumped, and his steps seemed slow and painful. He stopped by his
room and turned to me. “I’m sorry, Chael.”
    I blinked. “What for?”
    “Everything.” He closed the bedroom door and
I considered having a mug of ale before turning in. I thought of
the next morning; having to face the princess, the traveling we’d
be doing, and decided against it. Whisk whined and laid his big
head by mine on the pillow, his tail thumping the floor.
    “It’s alright, boy.” I scratched behind his
ear, rolled to my side, and forced myself to go to sleep.
     
     
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    I tightened the cinches and breast plate on
my saddle, made sure all my weapons were strapped down properly,
mounted Klora, and watched as my father swung onto Klard. A small
group of friends had gathered at the gates to wish us good fortune
on our journey. I looked toward the sound of hoof beats trotting
toward us. The crowd parted to let the nearly white mare and her
rider through.
    I nodded and smiled. “Princess.”
    “Sir Chael, Sir James.” She smiled at my
father and pulled her horse up alongside Klora. “I was thinking a
goodbye kiss might be in order since we were interrupted last
night.” She leaned into me to keep others out of the
conversation.
    I touched Klora with my spur and tried to act
surprised as he danced away from her. “I’m not sure Klora will
stand for it and I’d hate to cause you to fall.”
    Whisk barked at a cat which cause Klora to
rear and jump toward the gates. I waved and gave a salute to Hal,
Harry, and Mac.
    “To the end, Chael!” Hal gave final wave.
    “To the end, Hal!”
    The guards at the gates took their cue and
swung open the doors. I gave Klora a kick and urged him into a
run.
    My father grinned. “Well played.” We reined
the horses in and slowed