Destiny's Kingdom: Legend of the Chosen by Daniel Huber, Jennifer Selzer Read Free Book Online

them in a gesture of grand success.
    "Your first ten thousand chid contract," Trina said, "congratulations on achieving your goal. You were right about it coming to you roundabout now."
    "Yes, and perfect timing too. I know a certain Keystone's daughter whose birthday is but a few weeks away."  
    "Ah, it comes to light! The reason for your rise in price is because of my birthday. Well, fear not my friend, you needn't get me anything for my birthday. There's nothing that I desire."
    "Of course there isn't," Clea said, "And so I shall get you something that I desire and then borrow it shamelessly."
    "Oh actually, Clea," Trina said, leaning down, "I do need something."
    "What's this?" Clea asked with surprise, raising her arms from her forehead, "A request?"
    "Of sorts. Since you're going to Tal-Min, can you pick up some magnetic sand for me? I've almost run out. I didn't even have enough to bring with me today."
    "Ah, a present that can be had for free. The best kind," Clea replied, rolling her eyes. "I should have known a request from you could only be banal!"
    "Well it's all that I need. And I can't get it myself."
    "I would have gotten that for you anyway. Surely you can think of something else you want. I'd wager some of this cargo will have jewels of a most unique variety…" Trina waved her hand, disinterested.
    "I don't need anymore jewels," she said. "I need magnetic sand for my paintings. And for you to be home to ride with us at the Twilight Bloom."
    "I've never missed the Twilight Bloom, Trina. Not once since we were little. I wouldn't imagine missing it this time."
    "Yes well, now that you're commanding such high fees for your runs, you might be tempted to stay away longer, and more often." A twang of worried truth weighed in Trina’s voice, and she rapped her paintbrush against the leg of her easel to knock some of the moisture out of the bristles.
    "No, never," Clea replied, taking a deep breath of the sweet smelling air that surrounded them, her voice sounding simple and assured. "I could never stay away from home that long. No matter what the price." Trina laughed.
    "Glad to hear that you're still just like Quade on that count," she said, glancing up and acknowledging a new person who'd come by looking to get a sketch.  
    "Where is Quade anyway? Wasn't he supposed to be back, what…last night?"
    "Yes," Trina answered, taking out her pencils and beginning to sketch on a large, stiff sheet of paper. Clea peered out from under her arms again.
    "And you've not heard from him? That seems strange, for Quade."
    "It is."
    "Are you worried?"
    "No," Trina replied, barely paying attention to the conversation now, becoming absorbed in her art. "Quade always comes home."

CHAPTER 3

    M idway mark, and Quade was at his final jump point in the spider web design of the leylines, just now coming up on the Kosch system. He didn’t have to check the countdown clock to know there was only two more hours travel time to Bethel. He sighed, anxious to be home. Quade found no comfort in the loneliness of space, and occasionally wondered how his parents had fared once cast out into it, banished for their unthinkable crimes. He didn’t linger on it though; thirteen years had passed and he’d only been a kid after all, not responsible for the heinous act they’d committed. As he always did, Quade forced the memory from his mind, with the irrational hope that if he could forget what happened, so would the rest of the world. As he moved through open space and came upon the Bet/Kos nexus point, Quade saw another ship lingering close to the nexus but not actually moving. It was a teaching vessel, designed to transport about two hundred people. As he came closer and the greenish glow of the Bet/Kos nexus became clear, he wondered why the other craft was hovering but not jumping, as was standard procedure for using the leylines. He sent an automated hail but after a few seconds of silence his impatience got the better of him and he sent