Read Online The Seer And The Sword by Victoria Hanley - Free Book Online
Authors: Victoria Hanley
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the boy would be sent away, perhaps killed. And Torina? She’d be restricted to the castle and her embroidery.
Emid envisioned Torina, pale and listless, sitting by the hearth with her needle. Then came the memory of her standing in the trees, colour high, eyes bright as she bent the bow.
Emid sent the boys back to the barracks and remained alone on the practice field, pacing distractedly. If I tell the king, I destroy this boy I’ve come to respect and like. And the princess will pine away. If I keep it from the king, do I forfeit my vow to serve the royal family?
Back and forth, back and forth, Emid paced. He kept seeing Landen in his mind’s eye and found himself shaking his head in admiration and fear.
Kareed had taken in an eaglet and had it carelesslyfostered as if it were no more than a clipped chicken. Was it possible the king didn’t expect his captive’s heritage to show? It was said that when Kareed’s legions arrived in Bellandra, they were met by gentle soldiers, interested in negotiating rather than battling. Did Kareed so despise Bellandra’s weakness that he assumed the Bellandran prince would never be a fighter?
To Emid, it was obvious every day from the way Landen spoke to his penchant for following his own course, that he was a king’s son. He was mastering every bit of information taught. He’d grow up to be a dangerous warrior.
What was better for the house of Archeld? Send Landen away, kill him? Or try to make him a commander in Archeld’s army? The boy would not only be skilful in battle, but a brilliant strategist as well. But could he offer unquestioning loyalty to the land that had destroyed his own? Could anything truly bind Landen to Archeld?
Again, Emid saw the glade in his inner vision. This time he focused on Landen looking at Torina, all the fervour of true friendship shining in his eyes.
Landen would never feel loyalty to Kareed, but for Torina, he already felt it. Torina was the future of Archeld. The princess had unknowingly converted what could have been her country’s worst foe into an ally. How had it happened?
Emid suspected he never would find out. He drew a long breath. He had made up his mind. The boy did not deserve to die for befriending Kareed’s daughter. Hisfriendship was a protection on her future. Emid would say nothing.
He knew it was possible someone else would discover them. He hoped they would be crafty.
Chapter Five
A few days after Torina’s twelfth birthday, Landen met her by the great pine. It was only the fourth time in three years they’d used that particular spot.
Her ocean-coloured eyes were wet. ‘I escaped my chaperones, Landen. They say Gramere is too old to look after me. They’ll be guarding me always now. I pleaded with them, but they don’t care: “You are becoming a young woman and must conduct yourself as such.” They have no ears when I tell them I don’t
want
to conduct myself as such.’
Landen’s heart squeezed in sudden pain. The secret meetings with Torina had put life into his exile. What had begun as archery lessons had become much more. Not only could Torina shoot remarkably well, she was his dearest companion. For years, at least once a week, they’d found a way to meet, playing and talking together as only equal friends can do.
For she was his equal. Not because she was born and raised royal: in fact, he found her imperious bearing tiresome. It was something about Torina herself. Landen admired the girl’s vivacious flaming spirit, solike her hair. With him, she often forgot to be an arrogant princess, showing innate kindness and a keen sense of honour. Buoyantly, she shared confidences, trusting him with her many triumphs and defeats, telling him of her mischievous little rebellions. She was guileless. He felt able to ask her anything in the world.
There was one thing, though, he’d never enquired of her, though he’d often thought of doing so. He hadn’t asked her to look in the crystal and find the
Emid envisioned Torina, pale and listless, sitting by the hearth with her needle. Then came the memory of her standing in the trees, colour high, eyes bright as she bent the bow.
Emid sent the boys back to the barracks and remained alone on the practice field, pacing distractedly. If I tell the king, I destroy this boy I’ve come to respect and like. And the princess will pine away. If I keep it from the king, do I forfeit my vow to serve the royal family?
Back and forth, back and forth, Emid paced. He kept seeing Landen in his mind’s eye and found himself shaking his head in admiration and fear.
Kareed had taken in an eaglet and had it carelesslyfostered as if it were no more than a clipped chicken. Was it possible the king didn’t expect his captive’s heritage to show? It was said that when Kareed’s legions arrived in Bellandra, they were met by gentle soldiers, interested in negotiating rather than battling. Did Kareed so despise Bellandra’s weakness that he assumed the Bellandran prince would never be a fighter?
To Emid, it was obvious every day from the way Landen spoke to his penchant for following his own course, that he was a king’s son. He was mastering every bit of information taught. He’d grow up to be a dangerous warrior.
What was better for the house of Archeld? Send Landen away, kill him? Or try to make him a commander in Archeld’s army? The boy would not only be skilful in battle, but a brilliant strategist as well. But could he offer unquestioning loyalty to the land that had destroyed his own? Could anything truly bind Landen to Archeld?
Again, Emid saw the glade in his inner vision. This time he focused on Landen looking at Torina, all the fervour of true friendship shining in his eyes.
Landen would never feel loyalty to Kareed, but for Torina, he already felt it. Torina was the future of Archeld. The princess had unknowingly converted what could have been her country’s worst foe into an ally. How had it happened?
Emid suspected he never would find out. He drew a long breath. He had made up his mind. The boy did not deserve to die for befriending Kareed’s daughter. Hisfriendship was a protection on her future. Emid would say nothing.
He knew it was possible someone else would discover them. He hoped they would be crafty.
Chapter Five
A few days after Torina’s twelfth birthday, Landen met her by the great pine. It was only the fourth time in three years they’d used that particular spot.
Her ocean-coloured eyes were wet. ‘I escaped my chaperones, Landen. They say Gramere is too old to look after me. They’ll be guarding me always now. I pleaded with them, but they don’t care: “You are becoming a young woman and must conduct yourself as such.” They have no ears when I tell them I don’t
want
to conduct myself as such.’
Landen’s heart squeezed in sudden pain. The secret meetings with Torina had put life into his exile. What had begun as archery lessons had become much more. Not only could Torina shoot remarkably well, she was his dearest companion. For years, at least once a week, they’d found a way to meet, playing and talking together as only equal friends can do.
For she was his equal. Not because she was born and raised royal: in fact, he found her imperious bearing tiresome. It was something about Torina herself. Landen admired the girl’s vivacious flaming spirit, solike her hair. With him, she often forgot to be an arrogant princess, showing innate kindness and a keen sense of honour. Buoyantly, she shared confidences, trusting him with her many triumphs and defeats, telling him of her mischievous little rebellions. She was guileless. He felt able to ask her anything in the world.
There was one thing, though, he’d never enquired of her, though he’d often thought of doing so. He hadn’t asked her to look in the crystal and find the
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