Read Online The Mapkeeper and the Rise of the Wardens by Katie Cash - Free Book Online Page A

at a rapid gallop. To Lucy’s surprise, the muted collective thundering of hooves was soothing. To her right, Luke clung to his reins in a mild panic. She laughed out loud at the sight of his long, boyish hair blowing straight back in the wind while he struggled to stay upright in the saddle, clinging to the horse with his thin legs.
    Mack rode well, keeping pace in the midst of the group behind Cadmus. Lucy was proud of him. He looked so muscular and grown-up. The unknowns of what lay ahead troubled her, but she had to admit that she felt safer with her older brother by her side.
    They reached the town and slowed to a trot. Lucy was grateful to be at the back of the group—that way Nel followed the cues of the rest of the horses and she didn’t have to work the reins much. They were on a wide dirt path now, which led to a cobbled avenue lined with quaint A-frame houses. The houses were colorful, with intricate wood-worked faces. Most had dark shingled roofs and shuttered windows with overflowing flower boxes beneath them. Charming pink, white, and purple buds nestled in the boxes, flourishing in the warm weather. Little round doors with center-mounted knobs popped open as the riders trotted past, the heads of curious villagers poking out in hopes of catching a glimpse of the strangers.
    Children playing with a ball in the street up ahead were shooed to the side by a teenage girl. The girl met her gaze with shocking deep violet eyes, but glanced away as soon as their eyes met. She wore the same hair style as the woman in the riding group—a pony tail secured with thin leather rope. I wonder what it’s like to grow up here , Lucy thought, still in disbelief that any of this was real.
    “We’ll take the Royale Byway up to the palace where you will meet the royal family and be shown to your quarters.” Cadmus explained, turning in his saddle to face her.
    She swallowed hard and her eyes narrowed. She met Mack’s gaze as her brother turned to look at her. Thinking through the situation, at the moment she saw no reason not to trust Cadmus and this group of strangers—they hadn’t yet done anything to cause her to believe they were a threat.
    “We’re… staying in the palace?” she replied. She wasn’t sure she had the proper manners to mingle with royalty. Glancing down, she noticed several grass and dirt stains on her jeans.
    “Of course!” Cadmus seemed surprised. “You are the Mapkeeper, after all. It’s not safe for you in town right now.” He faced forward and increased the pace to a light gallop. She gulped.
    The road widened and began to climb up a gentle, sloping hill. Lucy could see the castle in the distance between patches of evergreens. It was tall and majestic, overlooking the town on the crest of the hill. She remembered seeing this hill on the map.
    They galloped onward in silence. What did Cadmus mean when he said, “it’s not safe for you in town right now?” she wondered. She was now in the middle of the pack, surrounded by riders. They’d shifted position without her noticing. She scanned the surroundings, her nerves on edge. Parts of the road were entirely shadowed by dense groves of trees. Could this all be a trick? Are we in danger?
    Mack rode on her left side. He smiled at her, bringing her a small amount of comfort. Luke was to her right, at last looking a bit more relaxed in the saddle. He was too focused on riding to notice Lucy trying to catch his eye.
    The dirt road wound uphill through the trees. Lucy could see Cadmus up ahead, the red pennant whipping and snapping in the wind high overhead. His white shirt billowed behind him. The road here was lined with many more red pennants identical to the one Cadmus bore, strung high on shafts of gold.
    The group rounded a final curve in the road and Cadmus eased the pace to a trot. The trees thinned around them and they spilled out into a clearing. Across a large field of grass, a wide moat encircled the castle. Lucy shaded her eyes