Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles by Eliza Tilton Read Free Book Online

death stare.
    “I didn’t know she would put us under a spell!” I said. “Only The Order can use magic!”
    Derrick stepped around the fallen table, his eyes wide with fury. “For all we know Jeslyn could be dead. All because you had to listen to some wench sing.”
    His words were daggers, slicing into my soul. I pushed him back. “Shut up!”
    Derrick charged at me, pummeling into my chest. We crashed into a nearby table, knocking it over. I twisted out of his grip before he could get a lock on me.
    “Fighting isn’t going to get anyone, anywhere,” Rudy said as he pulled us apart. I tried to break free, but age had given that man a bearlike strength. “Let’s be on our way. No more fighting, unless it’s with the enemy.”
    He released us and we both grunted in agreement.
    “And you.” Rudy pointed a stubby finger at me. “Don’t ever trust a woman that beautiful, especially if she’s taken an interest in you.”
    Derrick picked up his pack and shoved past me. I watched him leave the tavern. I’d always gotten us into trouble, either with a stupid prank or a crazy idea, but this was different. For the first time, I realized how much he was right.

The world inside this wagon became the only reality I knew. Bread and water twice a day and nothing more. I longed for the suns and a bath and for home. The girl in the wagon spoke very little. I don’t think she was well at all. Her wheezing gave me shivers.
    We stopped. I prayed we were finally at our destination. I didn’t care where we were going as long as I could leave the horrible stench of this prison. Anything would be better than sitting in here.
    The dark material covering the wagon window flapped with the wind. A breeze blew in and I inhaled the sweet fresh air. I could hear the sound of rushing water, loud and powerful, like thunder. I desperately wanted to see outside, to see anything.
    My hands trailed the wall until I grasped the small bars. I squeezed my hand through, and pushed the fabric to the side. A dark face scowled at me.
    I stifled a scream and jumped back.
    The door unlocked, and the captain stood before me. “Come,” he said. “And don’t try to escape or we’ll slit your throats.”
    I was too stunned to obey.
    “I said, git.” He grabbed my leg and dragged me out. The girl with me screamed as the next guard pulled her out as well.
    It took a moment to readjust to the bright sunlight. I shielded my eyes.
    “Over here.” A man dragged me to a huddled group of girls. He pushed me onto the grass.
    “They smell like dogs,” said one of the guards, covering his nose while another brought over a bucket of water.
    The captain was as tall as my father and just as frightening. “You three,” he said. “Start cleaning out the wagons. We can’t be bringing them in with that stench.”
    Outside, the sound of water thundered. I tried to pinpoint our location. The Great River ran through the center of Tarrtainya. We could be in ten different territories, ranging from the royal lands of King Corban to the low marshlands of Hasideon. The options were too many and entering in the wrong territory would be deathly. With no weapon, I’d be a walking meal for some horrible beast.
    One by one the guards dumped cold water on us, seeming annoyed by the task. Four girls cried from the cold while others screamed. I covered my ears, shivering and dreaming of home. A cold body huddled next to me. She wheezed. I recognized the sound and allowed her to lean into me.
    Even covered in grime, she was pretty. In fact, all the girls were beautiful. I counted nine altogether. I shuddered at the thought of what was to become of us. Who would kidnap girls? And in this number? I recited the prayer for protection—and repeated it over and over until the warmth of the suns dried my skin.

We rode hard, only stopping to let the horses rest. The twins were ahead, scouting the area. The caravan led us towards the Great River. Few bridges would be big enough