Read Online Island Shifters: Book 03 - An Oath of the Children by Valerie Zambito - Free Book Online
Authors: Valerie Zambito
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A red stain at Felice’s throat told the story of how she was killed.
Kenley instinctively reached her hands out to Baya, but her friend was already moving away toward Felice, her stride slow and unsteady.
Mother!
Kenley covered her mouth as she watched Baya nudge Felice’s shoulder with her nose to try to urge her to stand.
Get up, Mother! I came! I am here, Mother!
Baya pawed frantically at the dirt next to Felice.
Princess! Help me get her up!
Baya…
A high-pitched whine escaped Baya’s mouth when the truth she must have already known became too hard to ignore. Her head fell heavily between her shoulders, and she sagged to the ground.
Kenley turned away helplessly when her friend crept closer and laid her head gently across her mother’s lifeless form.
* * * * *
Kellan wondered why so many people were gathered in the city square just inside the Northfort gates and then realized by the scattering of nervous conversation that drifted his way that the crowd was there to glimpse sight of the dark-haired strangers that had returned to Massa.
A tense energy infused the throng, but as soon as they spied the shifter royals, a sense of calm seemed to restore the mood.
“Look! It’s the Princes!”
“Thank the Highworld! The Princes are here!”
Startled by the shouts, Kellan straightened his shoulders in the saddle. Never before had he been expected to assuage the fears of the people. All his life, it had been his parents to whom people looked. Even Kenley to some extent when his parents were otherwise occupied, but never him. Now, the citizens of Northfort were taking comfort from his presence and plainly believed in his ability to keep them safe. Am I worthy of their confidence? For the first time in Kellan’s life, he was feeling the weight of his mantle.
Gregor Steele and Haiden Lind took the lead as they passed underneath the thick curtain wall, shouting out at people to step back from the gates. When some had difficulty hearing the orders of the Royal Sabers over the commotion, Maks and Jain leapt into action, and the twin roars of the Draca Cats scattered the milling crowd like leaves in a strong wind.
Kirby leaned in close so Kellan would hear him over the noise. “I will go find the mayor and meet you at the harbor.”
Kellan nodded his acknowledgement and watched as Kirby pressed his horse along the cobblestone road that led to the mayor’s estate and wharf district beyond. With the Scarlet Sabers and Draca Cats still out front and the Dwarven and Elven protectors behind, Kane, Izzy, and Jala urged their mounts forward to ride next to him for the ride to the docks.
Air thick with the scent of salt and fish battered at him and all around the clatter of activity rippled through the city. People shouted greetings, tradesmen yelled out orders, merchants plied their wares, animals grumbled and wagons rumbled.
Visitors and tourists gaped at sight of the Draca Cats. Kellan noticed giant Cymans walking among the much shorter and darker Damonians. Hiberians in their colorful scarves and billowing silk trousers bartered with native Massans at the multitude of shops and stands that lined the docks.
“Whoa! Whoa!”
A horse drawing a cart on the opposite side of the road suddenly reared in its harness when it caught scent and sight of Maks and Jain. Izzy quickly threw out her hand and the horse immediately settled, blowing out contentedly through its large nostrils.
Kellan gave Izzy an approving nod, and her violet eyes lit up at the praise.
Gregor waved Kellan forward. “We should stable the horses here and continue on foot. There will be too many people in the wharf district marketplace for the horses.”
“Do you have a place in mind?”
“I do.”
Kellan nodded and followed as Gregor steered them off the main road to a well-kept establishment tucked in along a side street. The strong smells of hay and manure preceded their arrival at what the sign out front proclaimed to be The
Kenley instinctively reached her hands out to Baya, but her friend was already moving away toward Felice, her stride slow and unsteady.
Mother!
Kenley covered her mouth as she watched Baya nudge Felice’s shoulder with her nose to try to urge her to stand.
Get up, Mother! I came! I am here, Mother!
Baya pawed frantically at the dirt next to Felice.
Princess! Help me get her up!
Baya…
A high-pitched whine escaped Baya’s mouth when the truth she must have already known became too hard to ignore. Her head fell heavily between her shoulders, and she sagged to the ground.
Kenley turned away helplessly when her friend crept closer and laid her head gently across her mother’s lifeless form.
* * * * *
Kellan wondered why so many people were gathered in the city square just inside the Northfort gates and then realized by the scattering of nervous conversation that drifted his way that the crowd was there to glimpse sight of the dark-haired strangers that had returned to Massa.
A tense energy infused the throng, but as soon as they spied the shifter royals, a sense of calm seemed to restore the mood.
“Look! It’s the Princes!”
“Thank the Highworld! The Princes are here!”
Startled by the shouts, Kellan straightened his shoulders in the saddle. Never before had he been expected to assuage the fears of the people. All his life, it had been his parents to whom people looked. Even Kenley to some extent when his parents were otherwise occupied, but never him. Now, the citizens of Northfort were taking comfort from his presence and plainly believed in his ability to keep them safe. Am I worthy of their confidence? For the first time in Kellan’s life, he was feeling the weight of his mantle.
Gregor Steele and Haiden Lind took the lead as they passed underneath the thick curtain wall, shouting out at people to step back from the gates. When some had difficulty hearing the orders of the Royal Sabers over the commotion, Maks and Jain leapt into action, and the twin roars of the Draca Cats scattered the milling crowd like leaves in a strong wind.
Kirby leaned in close so Kellan would hear him over the noise. “I will go find the mayor and meet you at the harbor.”
Kellan nodded his acknowledgement and watched as Kirby pressed his horse along the cobblestone road that led to the mayor’s estate and wharf district beyond. With the Scarlet Sabers and Draca Cats still out front and the Dwarven and Elven protectors behind, Kane, Izzy, and Jala urged their mounts forward to ride next to him for the ride to the docks.
Air thick with the scent of salt and fish battered at him and all around the clatter of activity rippled through the city. People shouted greetings, tradesmen yelled out orders, merchants plied their wares, animals grumbled and wagons rumbled.
Visitors and tourists gaped at sight of the Draca Cats. Kellan noticed giant Cymans walking among the much shorter and darker Damonians. Hiberians in their colorful scarves and billowing silk trousers bartered with native Massans at the multitude of shops and stands that lined the docks.
“Whoa! Whoa!”
A horse drawing a cart on the opposite side of the road suddenly reared in its harness when it caught scent and sight of Maks and Jain. Izzy quickly threw out her hand and the horse immediately settled, blowing out contentedly through its large nostrils.
Kellan gave Izzy an approving nod, and her violet eyes lit up at the praise.
Gregor waved Kellan forward. “We should stable the horses here and continue on foot. There will be too many people in the wharf district marketplace for the horses.”
“Do you have a place in mind?”
“I do.”
Kellan nodded and followed as Gregor steered them off the main road to a well-kept establishment tucked in along a side street. The strong smells of hay and manure preceded their arrival at what the sign out front proclaimed to be The
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