Artesans of Albia: 02 - King's Champion by Cas Peace Read Free Book Online Page A

younger woman fell almost instantly asleep. She was deeply unhappy about what Sullyan had prevented her from doing. When Marik left the hut, she once more followed him into the night. He seemed unable to stay with them, probably realizing how much pain his presence caused Robin. Rienne knew he didn’t believe the Captain’s forced apology.
    Before he could reach the sanctuary of the barn, Rienne caught his arm. Staring up at him, ignoring his alien eyes, she said, “That poison is killing her. Why wouldn’t she let me deal with it?”
    He tried to turn away, but she held him. Unwilling to free himself by force, he said, “Rienne, this is not something I can speak of. Ask Sullyan if you must. But if I were you, I’d leave it as she asked you.”
    She could hear the pain in his tone. “It’s something to do with what Rykan did to her, isn’t it? That’s why she had you seal it off instead of me.”
    He scowled. “It has to do with Andaryan blood, yes. More than that, I can’t say. I respect you, Rienne. Please do me the same courtesy. It really isn’t my place to tell you.”
    She let him go then and he marched stiffly into the barn.

Chapter Four
    R ienne woke to the sound of someone calling her name. She had been deeply asleep, safe within the circle of Cal’s arms and dreaming of the power she had held in her hands just hours before. She sat up without waking him and looked around the dimly lit hut. She could see the slumbering forms of Taran, Bull, and Robin, but there was no sign of either Sullyan or Marik.
    Slipping from the blankets, she shrugged into her jacket. Her boots were by the fire, and she took them with her to the door. On a sudden impulse, she picked up her medical bag and slung it over her shoulder. Quickly lacing her boots, she cracked the door and stepped outside.
    It was barely dawn. A pale peach light was just seeping into the eastern sky. The ground was damp. It must have rained during the night, and that purple bank of clouds Rienne could see on the horizon threatened more. A pale, watery sun was rising, its first rays glinting in the rain droplets on the roof.
    Rienne glanced around, finally seeing Sullyan over by the corral. The Major was stroking the nose of Robin’s chestnut warhorse, Torka. She was wearing her spare shirt and breeches from the pack they had found at Marik’s mansion, and her glorious hair was partially braided, the weight of it falling like a ripple of amber down her back. Despite the potency of that wonderful whirl of healing power earlier in the night, Rienne was amazed to see her on her feet.
    Sullyan didn’t stir as Rienne approached and leaned on the railing beside her. The horse turned to her in hopes of a tidbit, but lost interest when it smelled she had nothing to offer. It moved off to crop the wet grass, and Sullyan watched it with unreadable eyes. Rienne thought the younger woman’s face looked sad under the fading pattern of bruises. The dark circles under her eyes had all but gone and the healthy skin was regaining its tawny glow.
    The healer kept her voice soft. “I thought I heard you call me.”
    The woman at her side turned from her contemplation of the grazing warhorse. “I did.”
    “How was I able to hear you?” This speaking and hearing without words was new to Rienne.
    Sullyan flicked a glance at her and Rienne had a sudden impression of great sadness before the Major schooled her expression.
    “First, it has to do with your being an empath. And then with how you helped me when you removed the spellsilver.”
    “I still don’t understand that,” said Rienne. “I don’t know how it happened. I could somehow see what Robin was trying to do, and I knew he was going about it the wrong way. I was getting so frustrated and I just wanted to shove him aside and help you. I guess that’s just what I did.”
    “Poor Robin,” murmured Sullyan. “He tries so hard, but despite my teaching, he still sometimes fails to understand.”
    Rienne