Read Online The Hunter's Surrender by Kaenar Langford - Free Book Online Page B

evidence,” Roddenham said.
    Around the semicircle Lord Marberry went, and man after man called out ‘not guilty’.
    Turning from the final member, Lord Marberry approached the prisoner’s dock. “It appears, Your Majesty, that the council has unanimously found you innocent of the charge. You are free to go.”
    “Not so fast, Lord Marberry.” It was the councilman with the twin sons. “We need the advice of King Rochar. This matter needs to be dealt with. There are obvious changes that must be made to the law. What are we going to do? Do we want the women to come back? How will we even find them? Who will be our spokesman as we try to locate the mothers of our children and tell them the truth?”
    King Rochar stepped down from the prisoner’s box and stood in the half circle. “My lords, I have the perfect person in mind. I think she will be glad to help us sort it all out.”
    Before he had a chance to elaborate, all eyes were drawn to the loud sounds from outside the chamber doors. Angry voices could be heard, followed by the thumps of something falling against the portal.
    He smiled as it was flung open and Maddie stepped over the unconscious guards, a nasty looking phason pistol in her hand. Santara followed close behind.
    “What is the meaning of this outrage?” Lord Marberry cried.
    Maddie strode over to the assembly and stepped in front of the king to protect him. “It should be fairly obvious. This farce is over. We’re here for King Rochar.”

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    Lord Marberry took a quick pace back when she gestured at him with her weapon. Santara took up a place beside the king.
    The king’s tone was affable as he turned his head to Santara. “What took you so long?”
    Santara’s reply was given in the same vein. “I figured you’d have the matter well in hand.”
    “I was doing all right, but I’m glad to see you both.”
    “Will you two be serious?” Maddie hissed at them.
    “Is this her?” Lord Roddenham called. “The woman they brought for you.”
    The King nodded. “This is Maddie. She’s a bounty hunter from The Duskrider .”
    Roddenham laughed. “Good luck, son. You’re definitely going to have your hands full with her. She’s a little spitfire.”
    “She certainly is,” Rochar agreed.
    “What in Joram’s name is going on here?” Maddie asked as she holstered the pistol. “I thought you were on trial. Everyone seems so happy.”
    King Rochar moved beside her and took her hand. “It turns out that the council members all felt as I did. They missed the women who bore their children, were lonely for companionship and are now planning to change the law.”
    Maddie frowned. “How are they going to do that? They can’t drag the women back. And where are they all? Who will find them?”
    King Rochar beamed at her as Santara took up a position on her other side.
    “If I’m reading things correctly, they want you to help them figure all this out, Maddie.” Santara said. “Am I right, Your Majesty?”
    “That is exactly what we were discussing before you two exploded into the room. And don’t think I’m not grateful. I wasn’t really sure what the outcome of the trial was going to be.”
    Maddie delighted in the way he squeezed her hand to emphasize his gratitude.
    Lord Darkenfold left his council seat and joined the little group.
    “This is who you have in mind to help us, isn’t it?” he asked, surveying her from top to toe.
    “She’s clever and strong, with years of experience as a bounty hunter,” King Rochar said. “Plus, she’s a woman, and who better to give us a woman’s point of view and to help us retrieve the mothers of our children.”
    Despite her delight with his scheme, Maddie couldn’t keep the combative tone from her voice. “Retrieve?”
    King Rochar squeezed her hand again. “Sorry. I meant ‘bring them home’.”
    “That’s better,” she said, pressing her lips together and nodding. Then she turned on him and