Branded Mage by D.W. Read Free Book Online Page A

face. As he reached the throne, he went to his knees touching his head to the flagstone. “Your Majesty.”
    The queen silently raised her hand signaling him to rise. “Thaddeus, I have requested your presence for an important reason. We have learned that the Kingdom of Abla is planning an attack as soon as the pass clears against Southpass. It takes great time to mobilize the individual armies available to the Queendom, and time is something we don’t have. We ask that you travel to Southpass and render whatever aid you can.”
    All eyes were trained on him waiting for his response. He already knew his answer , but the simple pleasure he gained from making the queen wait, was too tempting to pass up. After what he figured was suitable amount of time he cleared his throat.
    “It would be my pleasure.” The words were simple and clear and shocked more than a few people , including the queen.
    Eloen walked over and grabbed him in a tight headlock. “I knew you would come around without much fuss.”
    He wasn’t sure if he should be happy, or annoyed at the current situation. She was chocking him slightly, but his face was in a rather nice position. The internal debate ended shortly when something grabbed his right arm, jerking so hard he thought it would come out of socket. He would have gladly followed the princess, but Eloen stubbornly refused to let go of her hold on his neck. So the battle presumed, with both ladies trying to see what would break first, him or the others grip.
    The queen was able to stop the two girls before they did any permanent d amage. As he sat on the floor gasping for breath, he noticed that both the queen’s and Bren’s eyes were puffy and red. He knew they had enjoyed a good laugh at his expense. He wanted to get mad, but his body hurt too much for the reaction to take hold.
    Bren helped Thad to his feet . Thad quickly backed away from the two girls, who were staring each other down like two Billy goats that were about to see whose head was stronger. The whole thing would have been funny, if he was sure they weren’t going to use him in another tug-of-war match.
    “ The attack shouldn’t happen for some time, but I would like you to leave for Southpass as soon as you are able. If there is a rapid warming spree, the pass will clear and honestly we stand little chance of holding it without your help. Eloen and the soldiers she brought with her have agreed to escort you safely to your destination.” The queen spoke with authority her face back to its usual stone-like quality.
    Thad could see the princess was anything but happy with the arrangement. She was his best friend and he cherished her deeply , but sometimes she was overly possessive. He found it both charming and annoying to have someone treat you like their personal possession.
    “I should be able to leave in the morning. I will have to get word to Shariel of my leaving , as well as gather some material for the trip. Will that be good enough?”
    The queen merely nodded h er head and dismissed him to begin his preparations. The thought of going to war scared him, but it also excited him. He wasn’t sure why there was such a mix of emotions and for a brief second wondered if all soldiers felt the same.

C HAPTER V
     
    He was met outside the city gates by Eloen, who was accompanied by nine other soldiers. The young lady cut a beautiful and commanding figure with her chestnut colored hair that was cropped short and her narrow brown eyes looked like twin drops of chocolate. Her dark leather outfit fit tight against her body, showing off luscious curves, and hints of soft cream-colored skin.
    Though she smiled sweetly at him , her eyes looked him over intensely, making him more than a little uncomfortable. His last meeting with Eloen had been less than formal and while she had turned a blind eye to let him escape, he wasn’t sure if he should trust her.
    As he reined the horse the queen had given him next to Eloen, he reached down