Read Online Call of the Herald by Brian Rathbone - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Brian Rathbone
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dangerous shifts in the
currents; fishing was poor for the most part, though some returned
with bizarre and unknown fish. They said the strange creatures were
caught in warm water currents, unusual for so close to the Godfist
because they normally stayed much farther out to sea.
Unsure if the exotic fish were safe to touch
or eat, most fishermen threw them back into the sea. Some claimed
to have been stung by poisonous fish, and others grew fearful of
anything not easily identified. Most simply cut the lines when they
brought up something they did not recognize.
"This year's Spring Challenges are going to
be the grandest ever," Osbourne said, seemingly trying to lighten
the mood. "You should see the new game fields, Cat, and the rows of
benches for spectators." Catrin was lost in her own thoughts and
barely heard him. Chase elbowed him in the ribs to make him
stop.
Catrin had participated in the Challenges
since she was old enough to ride, and most years she qualified for
the Summer Games, but this year would be different. She knew she
would not be allowed to compete, and she had no need to ask because
it was understood. The townspeople did not want her. She was
unwelcome.
"I was thinking about going on an outing,
maybe a hike into the highlands," Chase said. "Telling stories
around a campfire would be more fun than the Challenges and a lot
less work. Wouldn't you agree, Osbourne?" Chase asked, elbowing him
again. He had known Catrin her whole life, and he knew how crushed
she must be.
"I can't attend the Challenges, but that
doesn't mean the rest of you shouldn't. I know how much both of you
like to compete, and I was looking forward to hearing of your
victories," she said with a slight catch in her voice, which she
had tried to control.
They stood, and Chase announced, "I'm going
camping," crossing his arms and inflating his chest.
"So am I," Osbourne said, mimicking Chase,
though he didn't look quite as imposing.
"But--" Catrin began. Her words were cut
short when Chase tackled her. He and Osbourne coerced her into
submission by means of the dreaded tickle torture. It was the first
time Catrin had truly laughed in a long while, and she felt better
for the release.
Despite her acquiescence, she still needed
her father's approval, and she feared he would deny the request.
She found him sitting at the table, working his way through a stack
of parchment. Catrin sat across from him, waiting for him to finish
what he was working on. After a few moments, he looked up from his
work and acknowledged her with a strained smile.
"What's on your mind?" he asked in his usual
straightforward manner.
"I don't think I should compete in the
Challenges this year," she said, and he nodded in silent agreement.
"Chase and Osbourne are boycotting the Challenges; they want to
spend the time with me instead," she continued, and he raised an
eyebrow but remained silent. "I was wondering if we could camp at
the lake those days," Catrin asked, finally getting to her point.
She was always amazed at how much information her father could get
out of her without ever saying a word.
"I tried to talk them out of boycotting,
Father, really I did, but the harder I argued, the more they argued
back," she said with a smile and actually giggled. "They made me
agree by means of tickle torture."
Her father chuckled and smiled briefly.
"Tickle torture, you say? That does sound serious. I guess I could
let you go for a few days. I wouldn't camp near the lake at this
time of year, though. The mosquitoes will suck you dry. It'd be
better if you climbed past the lake and continued to the highlands.
There is a natural stair near the falls, and a grove of ancient
greatoaks is due west of there. It's a fine place to camp, and the
land is too rocky and dry for mosquitoes to be much of a problem.
It's half a day of walking and climbing, but it would be well worth
the effort," he said.
Her father had told her stories of the place,
but he had always forbidden her
currents; fishing was poor for the most part, though some returned
with bizarre and unknown fish. They said the strange creatures were
caught in warm water currents, unusual for so close to the Godfist
because they normally stayed much farther out to sea.
Unsure if the exotic fish were safe to touch
or eat, most fishermen threw them back into the sea. Some claimed
to have been stung by poisonous fish, and others grew fearful of
anything not easily identified. Most simply cut the lines when they
brought up something they did not recognize.
"This year's Spring Challenges are going to
be the grandest ever," Osbourne said, seemingly trying to lighten
the mood. "You should see the new game fields, Cat, and the rows of
benches for spectators." Catrin was lost in her own thoughts and
barely heard him. Chase elbowed him in the ribs to make him
stop.
Catrin had participated in the Challenges
since she was old enough to ride, and most years she qualified for
the Summer Games, but this year would be different. She knew she
would not be allowed to compete, and she had no need to ask because
it was understood. The townspeople did not want her. She was
unwelcome.
"I was thinking about going on an outing,
maybe a hike into the highlands," Chase said. "Telling stories
around a campfire would be more fun than the Challenges and a lot
less work. Wouldn't you agree, Osbourne?" Chase asked, elbowing him
again. He had known Catrin her whole life, and he knew how crushed
she must be.
"I can't attend the Challenges, but that
doesn't mean the rest of you shouldn't. I know how much both of you
like to compete, and I was looking forward to hearing of your
victories," she said with a slight catch in her voice, which she
had tried to control.
They stood, and Chase announced, "I'm going
camping," crossing his arms and inflating his chest.
"So am I," Osbourne said, mimicking Chase,
though he didn't look quite as imposing.
"But--" Catrin began. Her words were cut
short when Chase tackled her. He and Osbourne coerced her into
submission by means of the dreaded tickle torture. It was the first
time Catrin had truly laughed in a long while, and she felt better
for the release.
Despite her acquiescence, she still needed
her father's approval, and she feared he would deny the request.
She found him sitting at the table, working his way through a stack
of parchment. Catrin sat across from him, waiting for him to finish
what he was working on. After a few moments, he looked up from his
work and acknowledged her with a strained smile.
"What's on your mind?" he asked in his usual
straightforward manner.
"I don't think I should compete in the
Challenges this year," she said, and he nodded in silent agreement.
"Chase and Osbourne are boycotting the Challenges; they want to
spend the time with me instead," she continued, and he raised an
eyebrow but remained silent. "I was wondering if we could camp at
the lake those days," Catrin asked, finally getting to her point.
She was always amazed at how much information her father could get
out of her without ever saying a word.
"I tried to talk them out of boycotting,
Father, really I did, but the harder I argued, the more they argued
back," she said with a smile and actually giggled. "They made me
agree by means of tickle torture."
Her father chuckled and smiled briefly.
"Tickle torture, you say? That does sound serious. I guess I could
let you go for a few days. I wouldn't camp near the lake at this
time of year, though. The mosquitoes will suck you dry. It'd be
better if you climbed past the lake and continued to the highlands.
There is a natural stair near the falls, and a grove of ancient
greatoaks is due west of there. It's a fine place to camp, and the
land is too rocky and dry for mosquitoes to be much of a problem.
It's half a day of walking and climbing, but it would be well worth
the effort," he said.
Her father had told her stories of the place,
but he had always forbidden her
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