Read Online Dawn of Wonder (The Wakening Book 1) by Jonathan Renshaw - Free Book Online Page B

Only Kalry had glimpsed the damage and decay taking place
under the tough layer of bark; only she would have known that this was not fear
of her father, not cowardice, but a brokenness that ran far deeper.
    “That’s enough, Dresbourn.” Nulty had managed to
work his way through the riders and stepped in front of the fuming nobleman. “If
there is fault here then I am as much to blame. What he did, he did in good
conscience to aid you not to harm you. Surely you can see that.”
    Dresbourn ignored him as if he weren’t there. “Sheriff
Lanor, I do apologise and I assure you that this delinquent will be punished
most severely. His reins have clearly been too loose. His behaviour has put our
whole town at risk.”
    “I can see it was no fault of yours,” the sheriff
replied. “But what of this threat? I have never known you to house the entire labour
force in your house after similar warnings.”
    “That was at my bidding,” the lieutenant said, stepping
forward. “I am Lieutenant Quin from the Midland Council of Guards. I had it on
very good authority that this farmstead was under direct and immediate risk. It
was my first priority to secure the farm and arrange defences. I had planned to
be in the village today when I will gladly discuss the matter further with
you.”
    “I look forward to it,” said Lanor. “Dresbourn, I
apologise for the intrusion.” With that he gave the signal. The group of riders
wheeled and left the farmyard.
    Dresbourn lowered his gaze to where Aedan crouched
in the mud. “Get my horse into its stable,” he said, hovering over each word, “and
remove yourself from my land. You will not speak to my daughter again. If I
ever find you back here you will regret it for the rest of your life.”
    “Dresbourn,” Nulty said, “can I just mention that –”
    Dresbourn turned his back on them and walked away.
“See that this ridiculous man leaves before he injures someone,” he said as he
passed William.
     
    Aedan’s hands were shaking so much he couldn’t undo
the straps. He fetched the bucket to give himself more height, not caring
anymore who saw. Still, he yanked and twisted to no effect, and finally gave
up. Putting his head against the pony’s flank, he let the sobs take him. What
did it matter who saw? He flinched as he felt a hand on his shoulder, but it
was gentle, and he turned to see Kalry’s tear-lined face.
    “Let me help you,” she said. She unclipped the
straps and soon had the tack neatly stored.
    Aedan choked back his misery and stood in silence.
    “I’m sorry, Aedan,” she said. “It’s not fair. You
were trying to save everyone and you get this …”
    Aedan couldn’t speak. He dropped his eyes, unable
to look at her.
    “We’ll find a way to fix it,” she said. “I’ll talk
to my father when he is in a better mood.”
    But Aedan knew there was no fixing what had been
done to him this morning. He had kept the nightmare locked away, and at
Badgerfields he had been able to live free of its horror. But now it had found
him. Now it would haunt him here too, even if he were allowed back. And he
would not be allowed back.
    “Kalry!” her father’s summons boomed across the
courtyard. She took Aedan’s hand in both of her own. “We’ll fix it,” she said
again, and ran back to the house.
    Aedan stared through the doorway. The courtyard
was clear. Everyone had returned to the house. Never had this place seemed so
empty to him. He lived with his parents, but this was his home. Had been his
home. The welcome was over. He trudged between the buildings with an ache that
threatened to tear him asunder.
    It was like pushing his way through a dead dream.
    Numb.
    The walking took forever. The feelings of irrational
nightmarish fear and shame drained away, leaving him empty, hollow, and tired.
So tired.
    The scene played over and over, the words etching
themselves into his memories. Coward. Fraud. He would never be rid of them. But
what did it matter anymore?