Dreamscape: Saving Alex by Kirstin Pulioff Read Free Book Online Page B

thought you might need some as well,” I stammered.
    Deakon stood by my side and held out his hand in
offering. “You’ll have our help regardless, my lady. We’re humbly at your
service. Just tell us where to go.”
    I smiled and pointed to the tree from which he’d
grabbed me. “I’m afraid it’s not very far, just difficult to see in the dim
light and overgrown brush. I appreciate your kindness.” I batted my eyes and
walked purposefully to the back of the tree.
    The sunken impression of my fall marked the soft
ground. I stood in front of it, hoping to block their view of my clumsiness.
The Golden Hero shouldn’t make mistakes.
    “Here?” he asked, pointing to the ruffled leaves
and debris.
    I nodded and knelt by his side. Before long, a
third pair of hands helped clear the ground and uncover the dark coins. I heard
them whistle as the box filled.
    “Thank you,” I said, breaking the silence between
us. “So, I gather you’re on your way somewhere special?”
    Deakon blushed and continued shuffling while Pipes
took the opportunity to stop searching through the leaves.
    “Yes, we’re on our way to the new capital for
tonight’s demonstration,” he said, checking to make sure all his weapons and
tools were secured on his belt.
    “Hmm?”
    Pipes took the invitation and continued: “We were
called away when we got word of the execution. We barely made it there in
time.”
    “Or out in time,” Deakon said.
    “Yes, or out in time,” he admitted, lowering his
head and covering his heart. “Bless the king. I wish he didn’t have to go the
way he did.”
    “How was that?” I asked, already knowing I didn’t
want to hear the answer.
    “Berkos,” he answered grimly. “He had him killed.
Publicly, no less.” He hung his head. “It’s a travesty.”
    I looked between the men. I still had no idea who
these people were or how this information could help me get home. “Is there
anything we can do?” I asked.
    Both their heads jerked up as they looked at me,
then each other. Deakon responded, “Of course, my lady. That’s why we’re in
such a hurry to get to the capital. We have to spread the word and make our
plans. You already have something in mind, no doubt.”
    I nodded and looked back to the ground. Ideas ran
through my mind, but they had nothing to do with these men or their cause, and
that unsettled me. “I think we’ve found all the money we’re going to. Thank
you,” I said, flipping a coin to each of them. Their faces registered a range
of extreme emotions until settling on grateful tears.
    “My lady, we’re forever in your debt,” Deakon
said, touching the ground with his forehead once more.
    “No,” I said, laying my hand atop Deakon’s. “I am
in yours. And I’m afraid I still need your help.”
    Deakon exhaled and lowered his eyes. “Of course,
my lady, whatever you need. It’s just—” He pursed his lips and looked back at
Pipes.
    “Just what?” I asked with an exasperated sigh.
    “It’s just that we need to get to Lindle before
nightfall. We’re the entertainment,” he said, exposing the bright clothing
beneath his cloak proudly.
    I smiled at the exaggerated costume, and then
glanced at the growing shadows in the forest around us. “You’re right. Of
course, we’ll need to be on our way then.”
    “We?” Pipes asked.
    “Yes. We. I’m coming too. I need to know more, and
you need to get to Lindle. It seems we can do both at once. Do you suppose
there’s a market there?”
    They exchanged looks again and burst into
laughter. “Oh yes, my lady. Only the most extravagant market you’ll ever see.
The new capital is full of shops, food, entertainment, and more luxury than
you’ll find anywhere else in the kingdom.”
    “Well then, it’s settled. We’ll go to Lindle, and
you can tell me more along the way.”
    “But my lady, I don’t think we should,” Pipes
said, running his fingers through his hair. “Lindle’s not…”
    “Not