Read Online Ever Shade by Alexia Purdy - Free Book Online Page A

from the many small bags of herbs and ground stones she and Sary had prepped, and was slowly arranging them in a medicine bag. The low hum of voices stopped as they approached the group. Sary and Stephen turned towards them and stopped sharpening their knives. Jack stood erect, all ready to the right, and gave them both a short nod. No one seemed to know what to say to them.
    “Guess your ears were burning, Shade, Soap. We were waiting for you.” Ewan interrupted. “Here are your sleeping tent packs and they’re all ready to go. Ilarial will be up in a moment, I’m sure she already knows you are here.” Ewan’s deep voice boomed like a drum; it seemed to almost come from deep within him, like a belly laugh echoing in a large room. He walked up to them smiling. His husky shoulders were wide but he was not by any means fat. Shade smiled at him; he was a big boned and but looked like a fluffy teddy bear.
    “Ewan, I appreciate your efforts. Now, is everyone pretty much ready? I think we are a bit late now. We must start moving if we are to cross into the Teleen territory before dark.” Soap stood taller now, an air of complete authority swirled around him that she had not expected. Shade hadn’t even known that he was a leader in this band. Soap didn’t seem to volunteer much information about a lot of things now that she thought about it. There would be plenty of time to ask him how he had become so authoritative during the journey.
    “Hello, Shade, Soap, and everyone. I am happy to send you off with news of great weather to come, at least in the beginning. I have read the stones and they tell me of good fortune for the start of your journey. I trust everyone is ready? Ewan will be your guide to the land of the Santirans. Your journey will be perilous, fraught with danger and a challenge to your endurance. Not many have ever traveled so far from the Guildrin mound. My heart and spirit are with you, Shade.” Ilarial’s voice suddenly filled the space. She motioned to her to come closer.
    Shade was taken by surprise because she hadn’t seen or heard Ilarial approach her, but she went to her without hesitation.
    “Shade is our most special Halfling: she is unselfish to aide us in our fight. Take good care of her, teach her the ways of our magic, for she may look fragile and harmless, but the potential to be great lies within her. Now, I send you off my friends. Good journey!” She smiled and wrapped her arm around Shade’s shoulders. She felt instantly alert and happy. Ilarial sure had a way with comforting others; she was like walking Xanax.
    Ewan turned towards the group; everyone was stuffing the last of their items away into their charmed packs, and like Shade’s appeared to hold many things. He cleared his throat and held his arms out above his head.
    “Alright everybody, listen up for this will not be repeated. The privacy spell is in place and nothing we say here will be heard by any mortals. I’ll be guiding you on the path to the Santiran lands; our stop today will be the Teleen caverns. Please stay with the group at all times, we start north until almost dusk. The Teleen are private people, Jack has assured us of their complete cooperation. They will host us for the night. I remind everyone to keep their hands to themselves for, like Jack, they can electrocute with one touch. So absolutely no touching!
    Second, if we are separated for any reason at all, follow the North Star to the great hills of wild flowers. From there, you will find the great gate to the caverns on the northwest end of the valley. Please let them know who you are and you will have safe passage. They have our names from Ilarial already. Good Journey everyone.” He nodded and bent to grab his own pack and slung it onto his back. He waved everyone to follow.
    Shade quickly shoved the sleeping roll into her backpack and zipped it up. She watched everyone filing in behind Ewan and cut into the line to join him, right ahead of Soap. She