Read Online Wind Rider by Teddy Jacobs - Free Book Online

go, and they will give their
reasons, and we will vote.
    With my inner eye I could see Erik’s tendrils of
thought projecting out to everyone in the room. Suddenly all the faces around
me looked very serious.
    Who will go with these our adopted kin, who
will fight against the dark lord?
    I saw a rainbow of thought and excitement race
through the auras.
    Ulrike stood then, and I could not help staring at
her. Now that I was clear and transparent too, I felt a strange kinship to her.
But that wasn’t why I was staring. She was beautiful. I wanted to hold her and
protect her. I wanted her to stay, but I also wanted her to come with us so I
could get to know her. It was very confusing.
    Tell us, then, daughter, why you would
accompany them?
    I have skills they need. But of course that’s
not everything. There was a pause, and then her aura flashed red in anger. Almost
everyone knows here that it was the dark lord who took my mother from us. I
want my vengeance.
    Should I not take the same vengeance?
    Your place is here, father — the mother tree
needs you, and our people need you too.
    Erik slowly sighed, his face resigned. I will
let you go, and stay for our tree and for our people. But if the dark lord
takes from me now my only daughter after robbing me of my wife, no one, not
even the mother tree, will keep me from seeking my vengeance. For the good of
all, be careful.
    Ulrike nodded.
    Then I seek the approval of the rest of you —
those I would leave, and those I would follow.
    Erik stood up. Stand then, with me, those who
would let her leave.
    The tree folk stood up all in unison. There were
silent tears, but no one was left seated.
    They all stood down again.
    Stand, now, those who would let her accompany
them.
    Woltan met my gaze, and
Elias too. In a split second, it was Elias who decided for us, sending us a
private thought. Stand. She is strong and true, and her mind and heart are
set. We cannot hold her back.
    We stood as one.
    Not only do I lose my daughter, I lose one of
our strongest fighters and wizards. Ulrike Erikson, you will be missed.
    Stand now, anyone else who would accompany
them.
    Two young men, little older than me, stood up
together. They were identical in appearance, and I realized they must be twins. We are Lars and Gustaf Larson. Since our birth 17
years ago we have dreamed identical dreams, and for the few weeks we have
dreamed of your journey. In our sleep we have seen you Anders as you sparred
with your blademaster , escaped your confinement,
fought the Keiler and entered the ancient forgotten
city. We are strong in stealth, skillful scouts, and battle-ready; our minds
are full of magic as well. We feel that we were born to bring a change to this
forest, to bring it back in balance by removing the pollution of the dark lord.
    Erik frowned. Their dreams are news to me, news
I wish they had shared earlier.
    Lars and Gustaf look
embarrassed for a moment, and a ripple of color went through their green auras. We ask your pardon, Uncle, but we did not know what to think of our dreams
until we saw they were true, when Anders Tomason arrived here among us.
    Erik nodded. They are strong and wise beyond
their years. I trust them to be a strong addition to your voyage.
    Elias nodded, and Woltan too. I could see why: just a look at their auras and you could see how strong
and pure they were, the one just like the other.
    All those who approve their departure, please
stand.
    Erik stood and his people stood with him. But one
girl was left sitting.
    It was Ulrike.
    All eyes turned to her.
    I would be heard.
    Erik nodded, and we all sat once again.
    Just as I do not worry for my own life, I worry
doubly for my cousins, and since there are two of them, perhaps four times
more.
    There was a ripple of amusement.
    But I too approve their departure. They are
strong, and we will be stronger yet together.
    Erik nodded once again. I risk now my daughter
and my twin nephews. But there is much to gain. And more is at