Read Online Knights: Legends of Ollanhar by Robert E. Keller - Free Book Online

will either show up with them at my side tomorrow, or
not."
    Lannon nodded. He couldn't begin to understand the
mysterious ways of Rangers, so it was indeed best if Saranna handled the
recruiting.
    She finished her stew in silence and then left the tavern.
    ***
    As Saranna stepped out into the dusty street, she was
apprehensive. She was about to leave behind the only life she knew, on a quest
that was certain to gain her plenty of new enemies. She stood in contemplation
for a time, wondering if she should abandon this madness and stay in Red Barrel
where she had a chance to live in peace and do things her way.
    She savored the pleasant breeze, her gaze moving past the
vegetable stands and sprawling oaks. A young girl was playing with a tame wolf,
and a farmer was washing vegetables in a tub of water. A fisherman was selling
poles and lures of many bright colors. There was not a soldier of Bellis to be
seen.
    But those soldiers were everywhere else, punishing the
innocent, causing endless misery. People were suffering all over Gallamerth.
      Yet Saranna wasn't
a Knight, and it wasn't her duty to make war on King Verlamer. If she rode with
Dremlock's servants, she was choosing to become an enemy of the king--which
could come back to haunt her in many ways. While Verlamer might excuse her
simply because she was hired help doing a job (paid mercenaries were seldom
held accountable, thanks to ancient laws that were still respected), the king's
behavior was hard to predict. It was unlikely, but he might take it personally
and seek to have her arrested or executed.
    On the other hand, why should she expect others to fight
for her freedom? She had skills that were useful to Dremlock. Could she simply
leave this small band of Divine Knights to their fate? They were the only ones
left to challenge Bellis' tyranny, and they needed her help.
    By choosing to go with them, Saranna was surrendering peace
and relative comfort for extreme peril and hardship. She was certain of that.
And while she might return richer if all went well, she might be forced to live
like a fugitive--afraid even to walk the streets of a remote town like Red
Barrel in daylight.
    But it was her choice alone.
    She was still a free woman and had to decide for herself.
If she opted to remain in Red Barrel, life would go on. No one would think ill
of her, and Lannon and his Knights would simply move on. After all, she wasn't
a legend like the two Rangers she was about to meet with. She was a woman
filled with doubts and regrets, weary of combat and struggle--someone who
dreamt of an easier life. She wasn't the Ranger of years before who had first
met Lannon in the Bloodlands. She was tired. So why had she agreed to a mission
that favored those with bold and adventurous spirits? What had she been
thinking?
    "Freedom," she whispered to herself. That was the
answer. If she went on this quest, it was for the sole purpose of defending
freedom.
    And the possibility of gaining vast treasure , a
little voice in her mind added.
    She sighed, hating that little voice.
    You fool , she thought. You're buying into it,
just like Lannon wants you to. You'll probably come back with nothing--if you
come back at all.
    ***
    The innkeeper--a tall, mostly-bald, heavyset man--emerged
from the kitchen. Lannon motioned him over. He had a friendly face but stern
eyes. He extended his hand. "Name's Balerus. And you are?"
    "Lannon Sunshield, Knight of Dremlock."
    Balerus bowed. "Welcome to my humble inn, Lannon. My
apologies if things are a bit chaotic in here."
    Lannon shrugged. "This is a tavern, after all."
    "It's more than that," said Balerus. "This
place binds the whole community together. Sure, there is fighting and bloodshed
in here now and then, but life is hard in this region. People need a place to
have some fun."
    "How safe is this inn for a boy?" asked Lannon.
"Around twelve years of age, with a bit of a mouth on him."
    "Safe enough," said the innkeeper. He lifted a
heavy club from