Read Online Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) by Dionne Lister - Free Book Online
Authors: Dionne Lister
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do that to you? Oh, Corrille, I'm so sorry. You should have come to me sooner. Auntie would have protected you." By this time Avruellen had come to see for herself. She shook her head when she saw what the girl had suffered.
There was little talking while they ate, and Bronwyn’s usually voracious appetite had diminished after hearing what her best friend had been subjected to. Each woman was lost in her own thoughts. They slept next to each other; Avruellen and Bronwyn shared their blankets with the new arrival, who snuggled between them. Although the days were lengthening toward spring, the nights were cold. As usual, they had a big day ahead of them so they said their “good nights” early.
Avruellen couldn't say why, but she didn't trust her niece's friend. She felt great sympathy for what Corrille had endured at the hands of her father, a person who should have protected her, not abused her. However, having been a victim didn’t ensure you were of good character. Well, she was here now, and maybe that was for some good; didn't they say “keep your friends close, your enemies closer”? Maybe enemy was too strong a word, but friend didn't feel right either. Just to be on the safe side, Avruellen asked Flux to hunt in the morning so he could watch over them as they slept. The fox, Avruellen's life-long companion, did as he was asked. Nothing unusual happened though, and he wasted no time bolting into the woods for breakfast when Avruellen woke.
Porridge and dried fruit was breakfast for the humans, whilst Flux broke his fast with a warm rabbit. They were travelling with few possessions, so it took only minutes to clear the camp. Avruellen led the way out of the campsite while it was still early, the girls chatting behind, Flux trotting at the rear. Avruellen wasn’t taking any chances where their safety was concerned. She had known Corrille was following them from the first night and had waited to see how long it would take for her to show herself. When it seemed the girl might follow them “secretly” all the way to the city, Avruellen had thought it better to get her where she could keep a closer eye. It didn't hurt for Bronwyn to have a companion; there were times when Avruellen needed to think in silence and her niece wanted to chat. Also, she thought it might distract Bronwyn from wanting a creatura.
Something else had been worrying the realmist ever since she had dragged Corrille into their immediate company. Avruellen had assumed the sense of being watched would disappear when the girl had been “discovered,” but it had not. She hoped The Circle’s meeting hadn’t been compromised. The eerie sense of being followed had not diminished at all; in fact it felt stronger. She wondered if the enemy knew what they were up to. Even though Avruellen knew her fox was always wary, she contacted Flux and warned him to be extra watchful.
Lunch was a welcome time to rest sore feet. They found a clear, inviting stream not far from the road. Large, flat, moss-covered rocks were in abundance under the trees and they were comfortable enough to sit on. The trio took off their shoes and rubbed tired feet through the cool grass. Flux padded to the water’s edge and put his nose delicately near the flow, tongue flickering in and out too fast to follow, drinking in the cold water. Their meal was another simple affair of hard cheese and fruit, after which they all bathed. It was too cold to luxuriate for long, but no one liked being whiffy. They hadn't bathed since before the meeting. The day was warm for this time of year, so everyone felt it was a good opportunity to be clean for a change.
Avruellen’s pace increased after lunch, the growing sense of urgency spurring her on. She had been unable to figure out why, and that worried her all the more. The girls were practically jogging to keep up with Bronwyn's tall aunt. "Your aunt has the stamina of a person half her age."
"You have no idea." Bronwyn and her
There was little talking while they ate, and Bronwyn’s usually voracious appetite had diminished after hearing what her best friend had been subjected to. Each woman was lost in her own thoughts. They slept next to each other; Avruellen and Bronwyn shared their blankets with the new arrival, who snuggled between them. Although the days were lengthening toward spring, the nights were cold. As usual, they had a big day ahead of them so they said their “good nights” early.
Avruellen couldn't say why, but she didn't trust her niece's friend. She felt great sympathy for what Corrille had endured at the hands of her father, a person who should have protected her, not abused her. However, having been a victim didn’t ensure you were of good character. Well, she was here now, and maybe that was for some good; didn't they say “keep your friends close, your enemies closer”? Maybe enemy was too strong a word, but friend didn't feel right either. Just to be on the safe side, Avruellen asked Flux to hunt in the morning so he could watch over them as they slept. The fox, Avruellen's life-long companion, did as he was asked. Nothing unusual happened though, and he wasted no time bolting into the woods for breakfast when Avruellen woke.
Porridge and dried fruit was breakfast for the humans, whilst Flux broke his fast with a warm rabbit. They were travelling with few possessions, so it took only minutes to clear the camp. Avruellen led the way out of the campsite while it was still early, the girls chatting behind, Flux trotting at the rear. Avruellen wasn’t taking any chances where their safety was concerned. She had known Corrille was following them from the first night and had waited to see how long it would take for her to show herself. When it seemed the girl might follow them “secretly” all the way to the city, Avruellen had thought it better to get her where she could keep a closer eye. It didn't hurt for Bronwyn to have a companion; there were times when Avruellen needed to think in silence and her niece wanted to chat. Also, she thought it might distract Bronwyn from wanting a creatura.
Something else had been worrying the realmist ever since she had dragged Corrille into their immediate company. Avruellen had assumed the sense of being watched would disappear when the girl had been “discovered,” but it had not. She hoped The Circle’s meeting hadn’t been compromised. The eerie sense of being followed had not diminished at all; in fact it felt stronger. She wondered if the enemy knew what they were up to. Even though Avruellen knew her fox was always wary, she contacted Flux and warned him to be extra watchful.
Lunch was a welcome time to rest sore feet. They found a clear, inviting stream not far from the road. Large, flat, moss-covered rocks were in abundance under the trees and they were comfortable enough to sit on. The trio took off their shoes and rubbed tired feet through the cool grass. Flux padded to the water’s edge and put his nose delicately near the flow, tongue flickering in and out too fast to follow, drinking in the cold water. Their meal was another simple affair of hard cheese and fruit, after which they all bathed. It was too cold to luxuriate for long, but no one liked being whiffy. They hadn't bathed since before the meeting. The day was warm for this time of year, so everyone felt it was a good opportunity to be clean for a change.
Avruellen’s pace increased after lunch, the growing sense of urgency spurring her on. She had been unable to figure out why, and that worried her all the more. The girls were practically jogging to keep up with Bronwyn's tall aunt. "Your aunt has the stamina of a person half her age."
"You have no idea." Bronwyn and her
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