Read Online Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) by Dionne Lister - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Dionne Lister
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lack of foresight, but once she had become part of the little group, her repast matched the fruit, bread, and cheese, of which she was now heartily sick.
Avruellen paid the couple a few coppers. They took the food to the cottage to eat in private. The interior proved to be homey enough, albeit with a mildly musty odour. It was apparent it had been vacant and closed up for a while, but remained in good order. A small, square table, surrounded by two chairs, sat in the corner opposite the door , and two single beds crowded the other back corner, next to them a comfortable rocking chair. The beds were bare, so Avruellen made the girls drag the mattresses outside to release some of the dust. Whilst they did their job, Avruellen dusted the table and laid out the food, plates, and cutlery they had been given.
Bronwyn moved the rocking chair to the table and ate with her plate in her lap. She had never realised how comfortable furniture really was. This trip was the longest stretch she had ever gone without sleeping in a proper bed or sitting upright in a chair. Nature was beautiful, but could be terribly uncomfortable.
The warm food elicited lots of “mmms” from the girls. Fresh, soft bread with a generous spread of butter on top was a nice change from the bread they had brought, which apart from now being hard and stale, was almost gone. "Do you think the lady would sell us some food? With Corrille here, no offence, the food won't last until we get to the city."
"I'll ask her tonight. Maybe if she doesn't have enough fresh bread, you can get up early and make us some." Avruellen smiled at Bronwyn’s horrified expression.
"Ah, no thanks. I suppose I could go without bread for three more days."
After dinner Corrille and Bronwyn took the plates to the homestead and washed them. The lady of the house gave them some cups and a fresh pot of tea. Avruellen smiled to see the girls enter with the fragrant brew. Avruellen had appropriated the rocking chair and was soon comfortably rocking and sipping. When they finished their tea they went to their newly made beds, which Avruellen had prepared. No one wanted to sleep on the floor, so Corrille and Bronwyn shared a bed top to tail.
A voice speaking in Avruellen’s head woke her shortly after she had drifted off. She sat up. Arcon ?
Sorry to startle you, but I had to warn you. Blayke and I were attacked this afternoon, and he was almost killed. You must be extremely careful. We had to leave more than one body behind. The enemy must know who we are, and I wouldn't be surprised if they knew about you and Bronwyn.
Oh gods, I've had a weird feeling since the meeting. I feel as if we're being watched. At fir st I thought it was Corrille...
Arcon interrupted . Who's Corrille?
Bronwyn's childhood friend, long story. Anyway , it wasn't her. The feeling won't go away and seems to be intensifying the closer we get to Bayerlon. Are you alright?
Apart from Blayke's blunt introduction to death , we're ok. Be careful. We can't lose anyone. Sorry I can't come and help, but we've got our own problems. I’d better go. Take care.
You take care too. The presence left Avruellen's mind.
Arcon had taken a great risk to warn them. If the enemy were watching his symbol in the Second Realm they may have followed him to Avruellen. He must have thought the other risk outweighed what he had just done. Things were not going well. How many people had Arcon killed? Avruellen had to assume they were coming for her and Bronwyn already. She just hoped they weren’t close. Sleep was not going to return, so she lay awake thinking until morning.
They were packing their belongings when there was a knock at the door. Avruellen opened it to see the farmer's wife with a basket full of food. "I've prepared some breakfast. There are also a few things for your journey."
Avruellen stood aside and let the woman place the basket on the table. "Thank you. Your hospitality is without measure. If only everyone were
Avruellen paid the couple a few coppers. They took the food to the cottage to eat in private. The interior proved to be homey enough, albeit with a mildly musty odour. It was apparent it had been vacant and closed up for a while, but remained in good order. A small, square table, surrounded by two chairs, sat in the corner opposite the door , and two single beds crowded the other back corner, next to them a comfortable rocking chair. The beds were bare, so Avruellen made the girls drag the mattresses outside to release some of the dust. Whilst they did their job, Avruellen dusted the table and laid out the food, plates, and cutlery they had been given.
Bronwyn moved the rocking chair to the table and ate with her plate in her lap. She had never realised how comfortable furniture really was. This trip was the longest stretch she had ever gone without sleeping in a proper bed or sitting upright in a chair. Nature was beautiful, but could be terribly uncomfortable.
The warm food elicited lots of “mmms” from the girls. Fresh, soft bread with a generous spread of butter on top was a nice change from the bread they had brought, which apart from now being hard and stale, was almost gone. "Do you think the lady would sell us some food? With Corrille here, no offence, the food won't last until we get to the city."
"I'll ask her tonight. Maybe if she doesn't have enough fresh bread, you can get up early and make us some." Avruellen smiled at Bronwyn’s horrified expression.
"Ah, no thanks. I suppose I could go without bread for three more days."
After dinner Corrille and Bronwyn took the plates to the homestead and washed them. The lady of the house gave them some cups and a fresh pot of tea. Avruellen smiled to see the girls enter with the fragrant brew. Avruellen had appropriated the rocking chair and was soon comfortably rocking and sipping. When they finished their tea they went to their newly made beds, which Avruellen had prepared. No one wanted to sleep on the floor, so Corrille and Bronwyn shared a bed top to tail.
A voice speaking in Avruellen’s head woke her shortly after she had drifted off. She sat up. Arcon ?
Sorry to startle you, but I had to warn you. Blayke and I were attacked this afternoon, and he was almost killed. You must be extremely careful. We had to leave more than one body behind. The enemy must know who we are, and I wouldn't be surprised if they knew about you and Bronwyn.
Oh gods, I've had a weird feeling since the meeting. I feel as if we're being watched. At fir st I thought it was Corrille...
Arcon interrupted . Who's Corrille?
Bronwyn's childhood friend, long story. Anyway , it wasn't her. The feeling won't go away and seems to be intensifying the closer we get to Bayerlon. Are you alright?
Apart from Blayke's blunt introduction to death , we're ok. Be careful. We can't lose anyone. Sorry I can't come and help, but we've got our own problems. I’d better go. Take care.
You take care too. The presence left Avruellen's mind.
Arcon had taken a great risk to warn them. If the enemy were watching his symbol in the Second Realm they may have followed him to Avruellen. He must have thought the other risk outweighed what he had just done. Things were not going well. How many people had Arcon killed? Avruellen had to assume they were coming for her and Bronwyn already. She just hoped they weren’t close. Sleep was not going to return, so she lay awake thinking until morning.
They were packing their belongings when there was a knock at the door. Avruellen opened it to see the farmer's wife with a basket full of food. "I've prepared some breakfast. There are also a few things for your journey."
Avruellen stood aside and let the woman place the basket on the table. "Thank you. Your hospitality is without measure. If only everyone were
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