Read Online Shade of Destiny (The Foreseeing) by Shannon M Yarnold - Free Book Online

painfully.
         “What is going on here?” A voice yelled. It seemed as though it came from far off in the distance, her mind was so clouded with fear. The soldier jumped away from her and glanced down the alley at the man who had shouted. Wynn could somewhat see and hear the two men argue.
         “What are you doing? This one is mine,” the young soldier growled, receiving a slap around the head from the second man.
         “Do not speak to me in that tone. This is the Master’s girl, only he has her, see the mark on her face and split lip, she had angered him, I doubt he would want her back after you damaged her further. I just saved you a whipping boy, you best treat me with respect,” the other man hissed, then turned to Wynn and motioned for her to leave. In the back of her mind a voice screamed at her to comply and she almost ran from the alley until she was back on the travel beaten path that led to the Manor.
         Wynn walked to the edge of the path and leant against a tree whilst she calmed herself down. Her legs still shook and her breathing was shallow. After a long time of inhaling deeply Wynn felt strong enough to walk, but what the older soldier had said revolved around her mind. The Master’s girl. Wynn’s face contorted in disgust and bile rose in her throat. Men were not to be trusted she thought, spitting on the ground in a flurry of rage. She clenched her teeth and forced herself to allow the sounds of the forest to envelope her. The sound of twigs snapping underfoot, of animals scurrying close by and the gentle rustle of the wind through the leaves.
         She began to hum loudly, blocking everything out, every wave of nausea that consumed her when she thought of the Master, the indescribable loneliness which gaped inside her, a roaring wound that had never healed, and the events of the day. She would have time to think things over but for now she would be free, free to walk and sing and dance in the beauty of the forest. She swung the wicker the basket around in time to the song, watching despondently as a loaf of bread suddenly fell from it onto the dirt of the forest. She bent over and picked it up, throwing it angrily back into the wicker basket.
         The bread itself symbolised nothing, but with the other ingredients, it spoke of supplies for the men of the army. Today was the sixteenth day of the month, and that meant the Master was holding a lavish party for the army and other important guests. It was an extravagant affair to celebrate their unchallenged rule over Inlo and their every growing control over Terra. Wynn despised the parties, the Master always made sure she was around so he could hang her off of his arm and pretend they were lovers. She saw the way the men idolised him, and the way they looked jealously at her. It made her stomach churn.
         As Wynn neared the Manor she crept around the back and walked past the stables, spying the new man, Byron he had been called, brushing down the horses. They locked eyes briefly and Wynn lowered her head quickly before any words could be exchanged – she was too pent up to be anything but coarse with the only man she had ever met who had been kind to her – and ran to the kitchen. Cook motioned for her to bring the basket to her.
         “You have no idea how helpful that was to me, I hope the trip was uneventful?” Cook smiled, Wynn nodded her head stiffly, she could not face explaining what had happened, Cook continued, “The Master’s gathering is in four hours, he has given me strict instructions for his wife to be cared for, she is feeling under the weather,” Wynn’s heart sunk as she waited for her instructions and Cook’s face was awash with sadness, “He has informed me that you are expected at his chamber at the ninth hour.”
         Wynn nodded sadly and patted Cook’s arm before leaving the heat of the kitchen. After following her strict chores, she headed for the library; the Master