Read Online Gateway to Fourline (The Fourline Trilogy Book 1) by Pam Brondos - Free Book Online

No one would have believed a word you said, even if you had managed to pass the message on. We’ve wasted all this time!” Andris kicked a small waste bin. The metal clanged as it hit the limestone.
    “Enough!” Estos shouted. The room fell silent. “Annin, you said they were tracking us. What do you mean?”
    Ignoring Estos’ question, Annin ripped the patch from her face. An eye like a faceted silver disc focused on Andris. He instinctively stepped back.
    “Annin,” Estos said, impatiently.
    Annin glared at Andris a moment longer, then responded to Estos, “Do you remember when Oberfisk tried to go through about nine months ago?”
    “Do I!” Oberfisk exclaimed from the corner. “Nearly got my head pinioned to a tree by Mudug’s lackeys when I came out on the Meldon Plain.” He patted the side of his head.
    Annin nodded. “And Barba and Kroner, similar thing. When they tried last year, they were attacked by the Nala.” Barba and Kroner nodded, looking grave.
    “We all know this,” Andris said grimly. He addressed Estos. “Just let me go in, Estos. I can find my brother and ensure the rebels are ready for your return.”
    “You’d be dead before you reached Daub Town, not that it would be much of a loss in your case.” Annin’s voice was vicious.
    Andris opened his mouth to speak.
    “Let her finish,” Estos said, again holding up his hand.
    “Two days after I passed through, I knew someone was following me. At first I suspected it was the Nala, but then I had a run-in with one of Mudug’s men when I was traveling north looking for any fringe Sisters.” She paused and glanced at Barba. “He ambushed me, but he was alone and easy enough to take down.”
    Andris scoffed.
    “You forget what happens when I’m in Fourline. I don’t need her potions to keep me strong.” She gestured to Ethet.
    “Annin, what happened after the attack?” Barba asked.
    “I did a dream-speak and learned he was tracking me, receiving messages about my movements. He was under orders to kill me, to kill all of us.”
    Silence settled over the room.
    Barba and Ethet exchanged glances. “Did you see any signs of the Sisters, Annin? Any healers?” Ethet asked.
    “No,” Annin replied softly. “Perhaps they are afraid to openly help but are healing in other ways.”
    “We must touch to heal.” Ethet sighed, finished her last suture, and cut the thread. “No, they are either dead or so frightened that they refuse to use what they know. Healing House was never known for its courage or strength like the Warrior House. I’m afraid the Sisters and their knowledge have faded over the years we’ve been here.”
    “Did you find the rebels?” Oberfisk asked, turning the topic away from Ethet’s sad musings.
    “Just a ragged band of sixteen men living north of the mines. I dream-spoke one of them from a distance.” Annin smiled broadly.
    “Really? How far away?” Estos asked, leaning in to listen to his friend.
    “Far enough not to spook their horses. The band was planning an attack on a small section of a mine in a few days’ time. Mudug was mining something odd—not copper, something else. The men were trying to stop the mine’s operations. I couldn’t confirm if the men were with Andris’ brother Gennes, but I sensed they were. The one I dream-spoke was well trained, and it took all I could do to get him to open up about their plans. I left him with the impression you were well, Estos.”
    “That should take care of it,” Andris scoffed. “I’m sure my brother will find great comfort in a grunt telling him he knows that King Estos is alive because some duozi told him in a dream-speak.”
    Annin gripped the edge of the table.
    “Andris, no more interruptions,” Estos said in a calm but commanding tone. He gestured for Annin to continue.
    “I moved south, trying to outpace whatever was tracking me,” Annin said. “But Mudug’s men caught up with me between Rustbrook and Daub Town. Barba, do you