Read Online Clash (The Arinthian Line Book 4) by Sever Bronny - Free Book Online

window; Mr. Goss picked up a fire poker and raced to the door; Leera scuttled over to the rucksack and dug out the orb; Mr. Okeke ran to his room; Bridget protected Leland from the scuffle; and Jengo grabbed his head, proclaiming their imminent death.
    “I cannot see anything out of the ordinary,” Augum whispered, prowling from window to window. The forest was silent.
    Leera, who had been quietly trying to call Mrs. Stone through the Orb of Orion, raised her head. “Can’t get a response.”
    Mr. Okeke finished putting on a crimson and gold tunic and strode to the door. “Please, everyone—do stay here, I shall return shortly.”
    “If we’re not here, we’ll probably be at the cabin, Mr. Okeke,” Augum said. “The enchantments are stronger there.”
    “Father—” Jengo called. “Be careful.”
    Mr. Okeke gave a nod and carefully opened the door. Seeing nothing outside, he walked out, closing the door behind him.
    Augum soon went for the door handle. “I have to see what’s going on.”
    “I do not think that wise, Augum,” Mr. Goss said, the fire poker trembling in his hand.
    “I won’t be long.”
    “Then we’re coming with you.” Bridget handed a moaning Leland over to his father, who hesitated, but put the fire poker down.
    Jengo slithered to his room, voice low in defeat. “Then you’ll get killed, all three of you.”
    “Don’t be so dramatic,” Leera said, “and Aug’s right—we can’t just sit here like trapped rats.”
    Augum grabbed the rucksack after Leera stuffed the orb back inside. Bridget snagged the Agonex and put it in too. They were practiced at being prepared, always ready to bolt should things suddenly go awry.
    “Then be sure to stay safe, you three,” Mr. Goss said, face scrunching with worry. Leland moaned his agreement.
    Augum turned the handle. “We will, Mr. Goss.”
    The trio scampered through the door and into the woods behind the cabin. They ran amongst the soggy pines, circling the village. Only when they heard the sound of horses did they slow to a creep.
    “There,” Leera whispered, pulling aside a branch. Augum and Bridget crowded close. A few strides away stood a small procession—two black-armored soldiers on horseback and a covered wagon pulled by two oxen. The wagon was manned by a chunky boy their age and a squat man wearing ill-fitting black garments. He was so obese he almost lacked a neck.
    There was no mistaking the burning sword of the Legion emblem on the soldiers’ chests.
    Augum shared a look with the girls—the Legion had come to Milham. This could mean a fight and an immediate evacuation.
    Leera secretly found his hand and their fingers curled together.
    The obese man reached for a cane. “Help me down please, Devon.”
    The boy dropped the reins he was holding. “Yes, Father.”
    A crowd gathered around the wagon, giving the pot-helmed soldiers a wide berth. Augum recognized Mr. Harvus; Panjita Singh and her daughter, Priya; Mr. Okeke; Huan, the innkeeper of the Miner’s Mule Inn; Chaska and his Henawa father, the storekeeper of the Good Medicine shop. Everyone wore an anxious expression.
    As the obese man was helped to the ground, the soldiers scanned the crowd and the forest, forcing the trio to briefly duck.
    “Who is in charge here please?” the obese man asked the crowd, breath coming in short gasps. Stepping down from the wagon had evidently tired him.
    “I am still.” A dark-skinned old man with a pointy black beard and wearing a long robe stepped forward.
    The obese man withdrew a cloth from his ill-fitting garments and dabbed at his chins. “Ah, Mr. Hanad Haroun. A pleasure to see you again.”
    Mr. Haroun gave a short bow. “Constable Clouds. I bid you welcome to Milham.”
    Augum remembered Mr. Haroun’s rousing speech at Endyear, and how he swore opposition should the Legion attempt taking Milham’s men. So far, Mr. Haroun appeared to be keeping his calm. Nonetheless, Augum was ready to plow through the brush