Enna Burning by Shannon Hale Read Free Book Online

Enna said softly. She heard similar gasps of disbelief and anger simmering throughout the camp.
    Isi took Enna’s hand. “It’s bad, Enna. This is bad.”
    “Our borders are already broken,” Geric said. His voice commanded attention, and the murmuring stopped. “We know they’ve taken Folcmar and Adelmund, and perhaps other towns closer to their border. They were moving north toward Eylbold and Ostekin, and by now those towns may have fallen victim to their invasion.
    “The king set out with his army today to defend our land from further conquest on the fields of Ostekin. I’m called to meet him there and to bring my own army, gathered as I may. I’ll not command you, Forest kin, as this will be your first service in the name of Bayern. But I will ask you in all boldness to offer your javelins, your swords, and, if necessary, your lives to stop the assault of the Tiran armies.
    “Will you join us? Will those javelins given to you by your king rise to fight beside him? Will you be Bayern?”
    The Forest boys banged javelins on shields, raised their fists in the air, hollered their affirmation, and swore to fight to the death. The quickness of the response tightened Enna’s throat.
    “So ready to die,” she said. “I hadn’t a doubt that Forest boys’d be quick to be loyal, but I never imagined they’d also be quick to offer death.”
    “They don’t know death yet,” said Isi. “They don’t know what it is they offer.” Her eyes were wet, and she rubbed her face as though to reach a deep headache. “I need to get out of the wind.” She gestured around her randomly. “It’s all so much.”
    Enna nodded and led her to the tent, then stopped when she caught a glimpse of Leifer. He was standing at the edge of the camp, his eyes on the prince.
    “Go on in, Isi. I’ll be right back.”
    Geric called the captains of the hundred-bands to him for counsel, and Leifer headed that way as well. Enna caught his arm and pulled him to her.
    “Leifer, you’re here.”
    “Enna.” He smiled at her, so honest and open that she was tempted to throw her arms around his neck and get a big-brother hug. “I was with Gebi when we heard. I almost didn’t come, but now . . . ”
    “I’m glad you came. This isn’t what I expected, either. I thought he’d just give some rousing speech to win your allegiance, you know, make you feel all cozy and Bayern.”
    “So did I.” His gaze hopped to the southeast horizon, and she could feel his arm tighten. “This’s better.”
    “Are you going, then?”
    “Of course. You think I’d leave my friends to follow our king without me?”
    Enna laughed. “ Our king. You’d think the boy from a few days ago wasn’t ranting about gathering a Forest army for rebellion.”
    “I want to be Bayern. I want to be loyal to the king. Before, I was just angry, and now, I don’t know, that’s all gone, and instead there’s Tira. They’re the enemy. It’s like the fire’s just been waiting for them, and now it’s time to burn. I should tell the prince.”
    She pulled his sleeve to stop him. “He knows. I told him about you.” She studied his face. “I don’t understand, Leifer. A fortnight past I’d’ve said you were as constant as a walnut tree, but first you get all riled up about Bayern, and then just as quickly you’re ready to fight Tira. Is it the fire doing this to you?”
    “I don’t know.” He frowned, then shook it off. “I don’t want to think about it. Right now, everything is so clear, Enna, it all feels right. I’m going to pledge myself to the prince so I can help fight Tira.”
    “But, Leifer . . . ”
    He held her shoulders and looked at her with a small, hopeful smile. “You’ll be proud of me, little sister. And that makes me happy.”
    Enna watched him approach the prince and explain something with his hands, his brow wrinkled in earnestness. The movement of his lips made Enna think he was probably stuttering. She smiled sadly. He could rage