Read Online The Pearls by Deborah Chester - Free Book Online Page B

with some fool notion of saving time by cutting through yon hills.” He pointed to the north.
    Lea swung around and stared at a distant purple smudge. “I’m all for a shortcut, anything to reach Trau more quickly.”
    But Thirbe was scowling, his eyes fierce with resentment. “Ain’t quicker to stand here with a wagon stuck in the mud and three-fourths of the available manpower too pretty to heave it out. When imperial roads are abandoned, it’s for good reason.”
    â€œIs that what this is?” she asked in surprise, looking at the paving stones that were cracked, in places broken enough for weeds to grow there. Tall grass, flattened by a killing frost, sprawled over the crumbling edges, and ahead of them, past the bog where it looked like the stones had been taken up—perhaps stolen—she could see wind-eddied drifts of fallen leaves. “It doesn’t look like an imperial road. It’s so narrow, and in bad repair.”
    â€œThe really old roads are narrow,” he said. “Gault knows I’ve ridden over most of them.”
    â€œThen do you know this one?”
    â€œNo.” He made an exasperated sound in the back of his throat while orders rang out and the servants heaved again to free the litter. “We’re lost. That’s the long and short of it. Lost and on a road gone bad. Darkness will be coming early today, and I’ll lay half my wages that it’s going to snow.”
    â€œOh yes, there’s no doubt of snow,” Lea said happily, sniffing the air. “I’ve missed that most of all.”
    â€œWon’t miss it when you’re halfway through them hills and got sleet freezing the road and nowhere to camp.”
    Before she could answer, an adjutant came riding up, reining his horse with a flourish and throwing her a salute. “Compliments of the captain, my lady. A tent and fire for your comfort will be set up shortly.”
    â€œI want neither, thank you, Barsin.”
    He was a handsome boy, perhaps her age or a year older, staring down at her with friendly admiration. “It’s going to take time to free that litter, my lady.”
    â€œIs it?” she asked with such delight that Thirbe shot her a suspicious look.
    â€œNow, there’ll be no prowling about,” he began, but she waved away his protest as she smiled at Adjutant Barsin.
    â€œTell Captain Hervan thank you, but I shan’t require the tent.”
    The adjutant saluted again and wheeled his horse away.
    Thirbe turned on Lea at once. “Now, what the—”
    â€œI’m tired of being cooped up,” Lea said. “I shall ride.”
    â€œNo, m’lady, that you won’t.”
    She fixed him with a determined eye. “Yes, I shall. Not to explore, but to keep going. If we’re to make the best use of this shortcut, we shouldn’t waste time sitting about.” She clapped her hands, and a lackey came running. “My horse, Wim.”
    Bowing, the groom darted away to do her bidding before Thirbe could gainsay her command.
    â€œNow, m’lady, you don’t—”
    â€œYes, Thirbe?” she asked, turning her blue eyes on him in wide innocence. “What don’t I want to do? Is there a town in this valley unfriendly to my brother’s throne? Or some reason why I should not take exercise and breathe fresh air?”
    â€œCatch your death out here in this cold.”
    Her laughter rang out merrily, causing several people to look in her direction. “Oh, Thirbe, I was born within sight of a glacier. This is merely a mild autumn day, and quite delightful. Come,” she said as her gelding Ysandre was led up and the groom held out his hand to help her mount. “Let us continue.”
    But Thirbe was shaking his head. “We’re off the map, off the approved route you were to take,” he said stubbornly. “Ain’t sensible to keep going.”
    With the reins in