Dirt (The Dirt Trilogy) by K. F. Ridley Read Free Book Online

Our bodies could not tolerate the harsh
environment. We
began to age
faster. We
began to change.”
There’s more, but he’s careful. I know he speaks the truth, even
though it’s hard to understand and hard to believe. If my mother
was from this strangely
beautiful place, then I’m
definitely
someone other than who I was raised to believe I am.
The ground begins to shake making my feet feel uneasy. The
blades of
grass
quiver. “What’s happening?”
I
shudder
with
uncertainty.
“You’re not supposed to be here. Stay quiet. Don’t say a
word.” He presses one finger softly against my lips. I look at him
with obvious question. I stand up and am about to ask what he
means. He situates his stance directly in front of me, pushing me
behind him with a gentle, but protective gesture, He’s tries to hide
me from whatever is about to happen.
Through the tree line, burst three men each riding giraffe-sized
winged horses. They’re breathtaking with exaggerated necks and
full flowing manes that meet their shoulders. As they race toward
us, I can feel tremors travel through my legs, up through my
fingertips. They slow to a trot, stopping directly in front of Rowen,
lining up side-by-side. Air forces its way from their flaring nostrils.
I keep my mouth shut as I was told. If I had any speck of doubt
regarding Rowen’s explanation of things, it’s gone now.
The riders look to be about the same age as Rowen, in their
twenties except for one riding the white horse. His innocence is
transparent. All are some shade of blond with blazing eyes of blue
or green.
The
blond riding
the
palomino turns
his head slightly
acknowledging us.“Welcome home, my brother.” He pauses for a
moment looking my way. “I see you have brought the secret to
Durt.”
Rowen bows his head a little in return. “Yes, Alder, I have. Her
safety was in jeopardy.”
The horses have a difficult time standing still, picking up their
legs which are covered with long flowing hair, and pounding their
hooves, rattling the ground beneath me. They wear no reins, bridles,
nor saddles, but each horse seems to knowthe rider’s expectations.
“What have you done, Rowen?” the apparent leader of the
group asks with a deep voice laced with disdain.
“I had no other choice.” Rowen answers.
I step out from behind my towering protector. Each one of
them looks at me like I’m from another planet. Rowen told me this
was my mother’s home. These are her people. It’s obvious I’m that
person, that human and I’m not supposed to be here. Their eyes
glare, gawking at me. Yeah, okay I’m from another planet, another
realm, another somewhere, but I haven’t done anything wrong. Not
anything I know about anyway.
“I’m taking her to Ivy’s,” Rowen says.
“We’ll do what we can to keep the news from Arcos, but you
do know, my brother, sooner or later he will discover the truth?” I
remain silent. It seems to be the best thing to do considering the
circumstances. I want answers, but this isn’t the time for questions.
The slightly darker blond on the black horse eyes me as if he’s
trying to harm me with his intense stare. Intimidation soaks me to
the bone. What have I done? What has Rowen done?
The innocent one, however, gives me a slight grin. He glances
at me with a sense of understanding, but says nothing knowing his
place.
“We’ll catch up with you later.” Alder raises his right arm and
the others follow behind him causing a thunder as they gallop away.
In the distance, the enormous winged creatures take flight, elegant
and gracious, owning the radiant sky, rising above the treetops as if
they’re weightless. The ground is still once again.
“Who are they?” I ask.
“Sentries…like me. Protectors. We are bound to one another.
One blood. One brotherhood. One’s purpose is also the others. Coll
rides the black stallion
and Ruis the white mare. Alder, the
palomino.”
“Who do they protect?”
“Depends on orders. They change from