Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1) by Sharon Gibbs Read Free Book Online

cold, Sir?’
    ‘No, I’m fine.’ Gerard said and smiled with joy, happy to be out in the open. He tucked his hands under his canvas cloak and was eager to see all that he could.
    By early afternoon Gerard was cold and wet and finally he relented to Devon’s pleas and returned to the carriage.
    He climbed down and removed his waterlogged gloves and cap. Inside the carriage he found an old cloth and dried his hair, removed his boots and wet socks then curled up in the warm furs and fell asleep.
    The rain had stopped by early evening and the wind had picked up. They ate a simple meal of cheese and bread as they continued on. Gustov said if they kept their current pace they’d be in Canistar by midnight. He’d friends who owned the inn in Canistar and they wouldn’t mind if they turned up late. So on into the night they travelled. Devon and Gerard slept for a while. They woke to the clatter of the horse’s hooves on the wooden bridge as they crossed the Meer River and entered Canistar from the south.
    The stars twinkled in the sky and the moon loomed overhead illuminating the road into the village. In the moonlight they could make out the small houses along the road. There weren’t many at first as they were still on the outskirts of the village, but as they drew near, the houses became more abundant and the dirt roads slowly turned to cobblestone. As they ventured further the buildings increased in size and the road on which they travelled led them past the market square and Gustov headed towards the inn.
    He pulled the carriage to a halt and climbed down from his seat. He hitched the team to the rail in front of the porch and climbed the steps to knock on the door. He waited and before long he heard someone shuffle towards the door. Gustov peered through the window and watched as a candle hovered towards him.
    ‘Who be there?’ a voice grumbled on the other side.
    ‘It’s Gustov, Zeek, with the travellers from Reist,’ he said.
    ‘I wondered when you’d arrive.’ Zeek said. There was a scrape and a thud as the bolt slid back in its holster and the door opened. A stout man held the candle and peered out into the darkness. ‘Come on in with ya,’ he said as he waved Devon and Gerard towards the inn, ‘or you’ll freeze to death out there.’ Zeek was known to be dramatic.
    They climbed the few steps onto the stoop where Zeek waited and Gustov introduced them. ‘This here be old Zeek,’ Gustov said to Devon. ‘This is Mr. Devon Antrobus and his son Gerard all the ways from Reist. They’ll be off to the Keep tomorrow.’
    ‘Come in, gentlemen, before ya freeze ta death.’ Zeek led the way inside the two-storey establishment and led them over to the hearth. Around the fire comfortable leather chairs had been placed for guests to relax in while they visited the inn. Between the fireplace and the counter on the opposite wall were tables and chairs for patrons to sit and on the back wall in the corner was a fine staircase which led to the upper level. He bid them to sit while he stoked the fire to provide warmth for his guests.
    ‘Take your team round the back to the barn, Gustov. If you wake young Johnny, he’ll help with the horses and luggage. June saved food for you all. She thought you’d be in late tonight,’ Zeek said as he placed some sticks on the fire and waited until they lit before he added more sturdy branches. ‘It’s a bit of a trip from Reist to here in Canistar.’
    ‘Well it was quite exciting really,’ Devon said.
    ‘I’ll get you and your son something to drink, Sir, and heat the food June prepared earlier. Keep an eye on the fire and give it a stoke if needed. There’s more wood in that box over there,’ he said and then left them. As Gerard watched, Zeek disappeared through the curtain behind the counter. They heard him as he moved and banged pots and pans around. Devon and Gerard were pleased to be in front of the warm fire and they watched the flames flicker and catch light