Dauntless (Valiant Hearts Book #1) by Dina L. Sleiman Read Free Book Online

search. But Timothy had already decided he would need to return to the woods alone and on foot later. “However, we might catch sight of footprints or a fire pit, a piece of fabric, perhaps. Stay alert for anything that could point to human habitation.”
    “In the meantime, why don’t we hunt for a fine stag, as we are supposedly doing?” Bradbury slung his bow over his shoulder and pulled an arrow from his quiver. “What good is a hunting party that catches nothing? It will help to heighten our senses and keep us alert. We can bring home supper, if nothing else.”
    “Might as well have a bit of fun while we’re about it, I say.” Hadley grinned.
    “Why not? But let us leave the mounts behind for a while.” Timothy hopped down to tether his horse, and his men did likewise. He nocked his bow, then led them stealthily down the valley and up the other side.
    How he adored this lush world of green and brown. All the vibrant memories it stirred. So different than his shadowy, grey existence at Castle Wyndemere. This forest fed a place deep in his soul. The cool wind grazing his cheek. The fresh scent of leaves and earth. The bright sound of birdsong. The— A snap of branches to his left drew his attention.
    Thinking to spot a rabbit or a deer, he turned and drew back his bow. The guards followed suit. Something stepped through the thicket. As Timothy’s fingers twitched to release the bowstring, a child’s blue tunic alerted him. “Halt,” Timothy commanded his men before tragedy struck.
    The small boy took one look at them, and his eyes grew huge. He tossed a bucket of berries into the air and dashed back into the bushes.
    Timothy gave chase. What was such a young child doing alone in the woods, leagues from the nearest village? “Wait! Stop! We will not harm you. You are in no trouble with us. Please, let us help you.”
    Hadley soon caught up to the child and spun him around.
    The boy trembled. His chin quivered as if he might cry, but he drew himself up to his full height, which must have been all of four feet, and bit his lip. Judging by his missing tooth, the child could be no more than seven years of age. “I’m sorry, m’lord. Please don’t whip me. I’ve been lost in the forest for ever so long. I didn’t mean to steal your berries, I didn’t. But I got so hungry, you see.”
    Timothy did not wish to frighten the boy further, but he also did not wish for the guards to think him weak. “I see no reason to press charges in such a case. Do you agree, men?”
    “I suppose anyone might grow hungry when lost in the forest. No harm done,” said White.
    Hadley and Bradbury nodded their agreement.
    “Then never fear, little one. You shall not be tried for thievery under my watch.” Timothy crouched down to put himself at the boy’s height and ruffled his brown hair. He examined the clean freckled face, the healthy plumpness to the boy’s cheeks. Someone must be missing the lad terribly. “Tell us where you hail from, and we shall return you posthaste.”
    “Might as well,” said Hadley. “We’ve had little enough success hunting today.”
    True enough. Although they had barely begun their hunt for game, their hunt for ghosts had proved fruitless.
    “I say, you haven’t seen any deer in these woods, have you?” asked White with a wink. “Or perhaps a boar, or for that matter . . . any men?”
    The boy appeared more terrified than ever. His voice seemed to strangle in his throat. But he managed to squeak out a simple, “No.”
    “Of course not.” Timothy took the boy’s hand in hopes of soothing him. “So where are you from?”
    The boy’s blue eyes grew larger and larger. A tear slid down his cheek.
    “Please do not be afraid of me. You know, I used to play in these woods when I was a child. Got lost a time or two myself. I am from Greyham Manor. Where is your home?”
    “I don’t . . . I don’t remember. I . . . we . . . ’tis just the village . The village what I always called