First Comes The One Who Wanders by Lynette S. Jones Read Free Book Online

brother.
    "Even if we had horses, we couldn't just ride out of the city. They'll be looking for Mother and Brenth."
    "And you," added Joshuas, quietly reminding her she was a princess as well as a crafter. "We might be able to stack the odds in our favor. I have a few tricks up my sleeves."
    "Just a few minutes ago, you didn't want to take the chance." Leilas blurted out what was on her mind. "What's different now? I won't put my mother and brother in danger for no good reason."
    "And we won't put you in danger unnecessarily," replied Queen Daina. "The Echoes are too dangerous. We'll find another way."
    "I can make it through the Echoes, Mother. You don't have to worry about me," retorted Leilas with more bravado than she felt.
    "Can you?" Queen Daina didn't wait for her answer. "Show us this passage to the stables, Brenth."
    Brenth took the lead, leaving Leilas nonplussed behind him. His mother followed behind him and Joshuas put his hand under Leilas’ elbow and pulled her forward as he passed.
    "You should pay attention to what your mother has to say," Joshuas spoke conversationally as they moved through the passageway, swords at the ready. "She's one of the most powerful seers alive, even if she hasn't used her powers in a very long time. She swore she'd never use them to help your father and as far as I know, she never has."
    "But she does use them."
    Joshuas shrugged. "I've lost touch with her since her marriage. She didn’t want to have anything to do with anyone from Menas or with anyone who was friendly with the people of Menas. But I'd imagine she does. It's almost like breathing to a Menas, –seeing."
    "I don't blame her for not helping father. I don't blame the people for not helping him."
    "King Dane should have never forced your mother to marry Leyhan," Joshuas continued as if they weren't walking down corridors that could hold danger around every turn. "It seems everyone knew it was treachery on your father's part, but him. And in the end, sacrificing his daughter didn't keep Menas from falling to your father, despite the treaty. The Menas banished King Dane from his own kingdom after it fell and put his brother Mildas in his place."
    "Will the Menas accept Brenth into their community? Or were you just saying that to convince my mother to come?"
    "I almost never say what I don't mean. You might keep that in mind. Menas will gladly accept Brenth. He's almost as powerful a seer as your mother. As far as you thinking you might be able to stay in Menas, you won't stay there. Your destiny isn't in Menas."
    "I thought it was mine to choose."
    "It's a funny thing that. It's yours to choose, but the mists speak to the way you'll choose. There are those who've been interested in you since the day you were born. You're part of a prophecy of Master Greyan's, or at least those who're interested in the prophecy believe you are."
    "And my mother knows about this prophecy?"
    "I believe she does. She's always known that you were chosen to a special destiny."
    Leilas nodded. "Perhaps that explains her attitude toward me."
    "Perhaps," agreed Joshuas. "But it doesn't excuse it."
    "It doesn't matter." Leilas shrugged off the pain that Joshuas had probed. She'd always hoped it wasn't quite so obvious how much it mattered that her mother had rejected her.
    "Not so obvious, unless you know all the facts," said Joshuas. Leilas cursed silently and strengthened her defenses against mind probing. "That's probably a good idea." Joshuas responded to her action. "You don't want to give any of these magiks an advantage and they are waiting for us. I can feel them."
    Leilas tightened her grip on her sword. "I don't feel anything."
    "When you're as old as I am, you begin to develop a sense for knowing when other crafters are about, especially evil ones."
    "How old are you?"
    "I’m old enough to know better than to take on an apprentice."
    Leilas looked sideways at him as she turned the corner behind her mother and started up the stairway