Read Online Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall) by Janet Lane Walters - Free Book Online

sense. Not only would she have a few free meals but she might learn more about the territory ahead.
    “In two or three days travel, we’ll come to a village. There are half a dozen farms on the way. Aren’t very profitable around here. Ground’s too rocky but we manage to sell goods made by the Artisan’s trainees.”
    Kalia frowned. Did the Artisans allow their trainees to sell the goods they made? Had she stumbled on a smuggler? She would give the peddler a chance. Hopefully along with the food he provided, she could purchase a few things from the farmers or in a village.
    “Will you travel with us?”
    “Until my road takes a turn in a different direction.”
    She accepted a bowl of stew from the woman at the fire, a mug of kafa and a chunk of dark bread. With her food in hand she sat apart from the others and ate.
    When the wagon train moved on, Kalia rode beside the lead one to gauge their speed. Then she rode ahead to find a site for the night.
    The journey fell into a routine. Once she stopped at a farm and bought cheese and apelons. Another day, she managed to buy grain and part of a ham. She smiled. She had almost enough food to last for a week or more. From the woman who did most of the cooking, Kalia learned of a few greens and herbs she could pick. Soon she could leave the peddler behind.
    What she saw in the small village made her decision easy. One of the men lifted a piece of jewelry from a display in a shabby shop. She witnessed the peddler’s thumb touch the scale when weighing kafa beans. She walked to Mist to check her packs, mounted and rode as far and as fast as she could before nightfall.
     
     
     

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Alric held onto the back of a chair with one hand and moved his injured arm in a series of exercises. The pinch and pull of the muscles told him the stitches were due to be removed. He finished the set and prowled the room. Inactivity made him want to scream. Five days had passed since the duel. Five days of boredom. He turned to Robec and saw him raising and lowering his leg.
    Alric nodded. “Keep at it.” At least his former rival, though not a friend, was no longer an enemy.
    Ganor strode inside. “Brought you a present.” He dropped several sand-filled leather bags on the bed. “These should keep strengthening your arm and back muscles.”
    Alric noticed a look of envy on Robec’s face. Was he regretting the loss of a friend? Had he realized Petan had done little to earn that title?
    “So what’s happening outside these walls?” Alric asked.
    Ganor glanced toward Robec. “Several assignments in the works. Requests from the Artisans and Justicars.”
    “That all?”
    Robec leaned forward. “Did the Swordmaster really banish Petan?”
    “He did. At first he tried to keep him but Petan refused to answer the Justicar’s questions. The patrol leaders demanded the banishment be made permanent so the Swordmaster agreed. Didn’t matter. Petan vanished. Didn’t take his steed. Bihorn savaged a stableman and had to be put down.”
    “Good riddance,” Robec said. “Beast attacked me once.”
    Alric lifted one of the weights. “Anyone know where Petan went?”
    “Who knows,” Ganor said.
    “And Kalia?” Robec asked.
    “Haven’t seen her. My mate and Sando’s visited her. They enjoyed the meeting. Patrols are insisting on the bonding.” He clasped Alric’s arm. “Ceremony will take place after you’re discharged.” He walked to the door. “Have to go. They have me working with the trainees.”
    Robec reached for his crutches. “ I don’t like that Petan vanished.” He faced Alric. “Watch your back. He doesn’t like to lose.”
    “I remember his rages during the training exercises. Though he was a year ahead of us his expression of anger was violent. Broken practice swords, bruised opponents. Do you know where he’s from?”
    Robec walked to the door. “He was found near a burned farm by my father’s Right Hand. The sole survivor of a rebel attack.