Read Online The Key by Jennifer Anne Davis - Free Book Online

Rema was only five, Uncle Kar began bringing her deep into the woods, pointing out certain trees, terrain, and rocks. He made sure she knew how to find the cave on her own, even in the dark. When she asked him why, he simply told her it was good to be prepared. For what, she never knew. Now she was beginning to understand.
    Uncle Kar had brought Rema to the cave often, always careful not to leave a trail. They brought provisions with them, keeping the cave fully stocked with food, blankets, water—everything they would need to survive for a couple of days without leaving.
    T he cave’s opening was about another mile north, hidden between two boulders on a hillside. The entrance was small and well camouflaged. Rema wondered how Uncle Kar had discovered it in the first place. The inside was pitch-black but lanterns were stashed throughout, and she remembered that once they were lit, the ten-foot-by-ten-foot cave wasn’t so scary. However, she had never spent more than a few minutes alone inside it before.
    The deeper into the forest she traveled, the denser the trees became and navigating Snow at this speed was difficult. When the wind blew, the leaves rustled, creating a song all their own. Rema’s skin prickled. She wasn’t alone.
    Even without seeing anyone, Rema felt the prince’s men gaining on her. At the top of a hill, she chanced a look back. Soldiers were spaced evenly apart, heading in her direction. She recalled learning how to herd sheep atop a horse. Uncle Kar had taught her what to look for and where to maneuver the horse in order to get the animals into the paddock. These soldiers reminded Rema of herding with their lethal speed and swift movements—but this time she was the sheep.
    As they tracked her, s he realized they weren’t ordinary soldiers. Even though they wore the King’s Army uniform, there was a variation that Rema had never seen before. A black line extended the entire length of their sleeves and up over their shoulders.
    Riding down the other side of the hill, Rema knew it would be difficult evading the soldiers, yet she had to try. She dismounted and sent Snow westward, then took off on foot in the opposite direction. She prayed it would take the soldiers a while to realize she was no longer on her horse. Luckily, Snow was familiar with these woods and would eventually find his way home.
    Rema picked up her skirt and held it close, making sure it didn’t get caught on a twig and tear, leaving a trail. At the bottom of the hill, she glanced around. There weren’t any trees small enough for her to climb and hide. Running out of options, she sprinted toward the cave, praying she’d make it in time. Moving as fast as her legs could go, she tried to remain quiet while running over the dry-leaf flooring of the forest.
    A series of whistles rang through the air. The soldiers had to be communicating with each other. The pounding of horse hooves grew louder, closing in on Rema. She dodged between the tree trunks, hoping to remain hidden. There was a sturdy tree with a branch low enough for her to take hold. Grabbing the thick limb, she pulled her body up from the ground. One leg made it over the branch, and she hoisted herself up into the tree.
    A soldier on a brown horse slid from his mount, nocked an arrow, and pointed it directly at her. She froze, her hands and legs tightly gripping the limb.
    “Prince Lennek has ordered your detainment on the grounds of disobeying a royal summons,” the archer stated.
    For a moment she considered climbing higher, assuming the branches and leaves would shield her from the deadly arrow. But then what? She couldn’t stay in the tree forever, and these men wouldn’t leave until they captured her.
    Having no other option, Rema unhooked her leg and released the branch, landing on her feet. A bush rustled, and a second soldier stepped out from behind it. She hadn’t realized anyone else was so close. The archer lowered his weapon as the other soldier seized