Delivering Kadlin by Gabrielle Holly Read Free Book Online Page A

his ears while the women outfitted him with enough supplies for the two-day ride. Grima laid a bony hand on Kadlin’s shoulder. “Keep north, and you will come to the red rune stone by nightfall. Camp there tonight, and at dawn, ride east. You should reach the village before tomorrow’s sunset.”
    Kadlin nodded.
    The witch dug into her purse and pulled out a small pouch on a long leather thong. She tied it around Kadlin’s neck. “This will help Odin find you so he can watch over your travels and keep you safe. And if that doesn’t work…” Grima disappeared around the side of the cottage and returned with a yard-long pole with a square of deer hide lashed to one end. The old woman untied the cover to reveal a double-sided axe. “If the amulet doesn’t work, this will.”
    Kadlin turned the blades in the early morning sun. It was etched with scrollwork like she’d never seen.
    “It was from an Eastern traveler,” Grima explained. “He was my lover until he turned into a brute and beat me.”
    Kadlin knew the shock must have shown on her face. “If he was such a brute, why did he leave you with this beautiful gift?”
    Grima shrugged her narrow shoulders. “He didn’t put up much of an argument once I’d lopped his head off with it.” A wicked giggle filled the yard, and Kadlin realized it was the first time she’d heard the old woman laugh.
    “Now mind the blade, girl. It’s still plenty sharp.” Grima replaced the cover and slid the long handle under the saddle straps. Kadlin swung smoothly onto the pony’s back and smiled at her benefactor. “Thank you, Grima.”
    “And what will you do when you come to the end of this mad journey?”
    That very question had kept Kadlin awake all night. She looked at the kind old witch and blinked back her tears. “I will win Bjorn’s life by paying the jarl his due.”
    * * * *
    The sun dipped below the tree line over Kadlin’s left shoulder, covering the narrow trail in black shadows. It would be dark soon, and she’d seen no sign of the red rune stone that would signal the next leg of her journey.
    The woods seemed to close in on her, and she worried that she had ridden past marker. She was not even sure that she was on the right path. At times, it had been so overgrown that it seemed to disappear entirely. In the worst spots, sharp branches tugged at her trousers and tall ferns brushed the pony’s belly. Soon, she would not be able to see well enough to go forward, and yet, she couldn’t spend the night in the dense forest. There was no place to lie down, let alone start a fire.
    As the darkness gathered, she strained to detect movement in the foliage at her sides. Every rustling leaf and snapping twig sent a jolt of fear up her spine.
    A loud crash to her right caused every muscle in Kadlin’s body to tense. Her pony must have felt her reaction because he stopped short. Something very large moved through the underbrush.
    Kadlin felt frozen. She forced herself to move and reached down to grab the axe. She tugged at the handle, but it wouldn’t budge. The noises grew louder, and she thought she would faint from the fright. She tugged again at the axe handle, and it finally slid from the straps. She trembled, and her fingers couldn’t make purchase on the leather cover. She jerked her head from side to side, trying to find an escape route. There was nowhere to turn, and so she sat still and waited for her fate. She cringed, drawing her shoulders inward and squinting in the direction of the noise. She waited for the bear or wolf or whatever slobbering beast that would fly onto the trail and rip out her life.
    When the huge white stag stepped onto the path, Kadlin could not comprehend what she saw. The animal regarded her for a moment then turned and walked away. His snowy hide shone in even the waning light.
    She slid the axe handle back into place and urged the pony forward. The stag stayed a few paces in front of them, and Kadlin gratefully followed him