Read Online The Archer's Heart by Astrid Amara - Free Book Online Page B

choose,” Mazar said. “Just remember, the more powerful the sharta, the more it will take from your body. Choose wisely.” And without another word, Mazar sprinted out of sight, dashing into the nearby citrus grove.
    Jandu quickly restrung his bow and chased after his master. He caught a glimpse of Mazar’s silver armor ahead, and charged towards him.
    As soon as Jandu was within range, he began uttering the Alazsharta, the words cutting his tongue as he spoke them. He could feel, rather than hear, Mazar’s counter-curse forming. As Jandu ran and spoke, he pulled an arrow from his quiver.
    “Chedu!” Jandu spat with the last word onto his arrow. The arrow brightened in his hand, and then returned to its former state. It buzzed in his hand, vibrating with power. He aimed and loosed the arrow at Mazar’s shield.
    The arrow struck Mazar’s shield, but the sharta did not follow through. Alazsharta supposedly put the victim to sleep. And yet Mazar stood tall and proud, panting heavily but definitely conscious.
    “How did you do that?” Jandu asked. He spit more blood from his mouth.
    Mazar gasped in a deep breath and then answered. “I don’t know.” He frowned. “I did not finish the counter-curse in time.”
    “I did.”
    Jandu swung around to face the intruder. He relaxed immediately upon seeing Keshan.
    “Hello.” Keshan walked up to both of them, smiling. Despite having just uttered a counter-curse, Keshan looked calm, not even a bead of sweat upon his brow.        
    “Greetings, Adaru,” Mazar said, bringing his hands together in the sign of peace.
    “And to you, Regent.” Keshan bent low and took the dust from Mazar’s feet. When he stood, he looked sheepish. “I apologize for intruding upon your training, but whenever I feel a sharta forming I habitually dissipate it. Sorry.”
    Jandu hid his surprise behind a smile. “I didn’t realize you were so fast.”
    Keshan shrugged.
    “It is a healthy habit to cultivate,” Mazar said. “And I am impressed. You were far out of range to be able to work so efficiently.”
    “I can feel them more than most.” Keshan turned to Jandu. “I was looking for you, actually. I have the evening free, and wanted to see if you cared to join me for the temple acrobatic performance this evening.”
    Pride flooded Jandu, and he almost stumbled over his words in his enthusiasm. “I would love to.” He turned nervously to his master. “Assuming it is all right with you, Master?”
    Mazar nodded. “I’m too old to exercise much longer anyway. You boys go ahead.” He patted Jandu’s shoulder. “Besides, I have duties of my own to attend to. But I always appreciate a respite, Jandu. Ask me to practice whenever you feel the need.”
    “Thank you, Master.” Jandu bowed low. He then turned to Keshan and the two of them made their way back towards the gates of the palace.
    The excitement of spending time with Keshan still had not faded. Jandu frequently sought him out, but it seemed that Keshan appealed to far more men than just himself. The second Keshan walked into any room, dozens of people gathered around him, vying for his attention. Keshan always appeared excited to see Jandu, but was also easily led away by other lords, leaving Jandu feeling uncomfortably jealous.
    To make matters worse, the flirtatious, intimate way that Keshan spoke with Jandu seemed to be the way Keshan spoke with everyone. Just when Jandu thought he was growing closer to his cousin, he would watch Keshan slide up to charm a young woman, or another Triya warrior, his smile sly and infectious.
    Jandu had to come to terms with the fact that he was no one special in Keshan’s world. If anything, he was an outsider who did not share his views or have a part in his mission. Often Jandu had to wait for Keshan’s attention and some days it seemed like Keshan had no time for him at all. The thought disturbed Jandu deeply.
    Because whenever the two of them were together, Jandu was filled