Read Online Exiles From The Sacred Land (Book 2) by Mark Tyson - Free Book Online Page B

setting up camp, Trendan debated whether or not he should start a fire. He decided it would not be a particularly good idea before he realized that it had been quite a while since Fayne had gone out scouting. He took up his bow and quiver and headed out after her, tracking her footprints. After about an hour, he momentarily lost her trail as the underbrush got thicker. He also noticed that someone was trying to cover up her tracks. Did Fayne really think he would be fooled? Surely it was not she who was trying to throw him off her trail. Concern crept up in his consciousness, and he quickened his pace. The darkness of night had fallen as he came upon a solitary camp nestled deep in the woods to the south. He could hear voices ahead, and he approached cautiously. Fayne surely wouldn’t have scouted this far south , he thought. As he slowly crawled up to the camp, he thought he heard Fayne talking to someone. He moved closer until he could see clearly that it was Fayne talking to Kimala. An unsettling feeling pervaded his senses as he moved closer. He hid in the underbrush flat on his belly. Although uncomfortable, he could move his head just enough to train his hearing on their conversation.
    “Why have you not met with Vesperin?” he heard Kimala ask.
    “It isn’t the right time for that.”
    “Fayne, if you can’t do the job, then let me at least kill him. We can’t have him running around ruining all our hard work.”
    “I realize that, Mother, but it’s delicate.”
    Trendan’s mind raced. Kimala is Fayne’s mother. Fayne is in league with the enemy. She tricked him.
    “How is it delicate? You seduce Vesperin and fulfill your destiny.” Kimala’s voice trailed off. “Unless . . .” Her brow dropped in an expression of disappointment. “Oh, Fayne, you haven’t fallen for the scout, have you?”
    “I wouldn’t say fallen, exactly.”
    “That’s it. You have to go back and kill him too. It’s for your own good.”
    “Not everything can be solved at the tip of a sword, Mother. You have played this game far longer than I have. You know what’s at stake.”
    “Aye, that’s why you kill him and save yourself the heartache.”
    “I have lingered here too long already. Trendan is an accomplished scout. I doubt my hiding my trail will fool him for long. I don’t have time to debate with you. I will not kill Trendan or Vesperin.”
    “You are far too careless with your feelings, girl. I doubt your sister will have the same problem.”
    “My sister doesn’t even know who she is, much less our plans. You had best leave her out of this.”
    “Why? She will find out in due time. I love both of you, Fayne, even if the circumstances will not allow me to show it.”
    “Forget it; you know we can’t involve her, not yet. I better get back to Trendan. He will be missing me soon.”
    “Aye, get back to your love and kill him now.”
    “No, even if I am in love with Trendan, I will still marry Vesperin as I am destined to do. I will not kill Trendan. I have already told you!”
    Kimala instinctively grabbed Fayne by the throat. “Do not presume . . .”
    Fayne moved in a blur, reversing the hold, placing Kimala’s arm behind her back, and running her up against the nearest tree. “Or you will kill me too?”
    “You love him. Trendan, I mean.”
    “Aye, I love him. You are right, and I would kill him if I thought it was necessary, but it isn’t. How long do you have to play this game? When can we be a family?” Fayne let her mother go, and Kimala turned to face her as if nothing happened, which Trendan thought to be a bit strange.
    “Oh, Fayne, my sweet girl, Enowene is wise, and she has everything in hand. The sooner we complete our tasks, the sooner she can carry out her plan. Then we can get to your sister and her father and be a family.”
    “But what if Morgoran’s vision is wrong? Has any of his predictions come true?”
    “Have faith, my child.” Kimala embraced Fayne.
    Trendan slowly