Forging Day (Crucible of Change Book 1) by Noelle Alladania Meade Read Free Book Online

Beast Lords normally arrive Friday mid-afternoon. At least they have for the past few years. While I did plan a disturbance, I had every reason to think it would be a minor annoyance at worst, occurring in the middle of the day. I was very careful to make sure the bells were not in a position to do anyone physical harm.”
    A moooooooooooo came from the crowd just then, and I’m sure this time Queen Gwendolin was aiming that exasperated look at Korembi instead of me.
    “Thank you, Archer Olivia. I will take your intentions into consideration. I will also note that I have been given no reports of any injuries from Sir Mehmet or any of the rest of his people. Were there any injuries?”
    “No…Your Majesty.” was the grudging response.
    “Then this is my judgment. While the actions of Archer Olivia were ill-considered, and did break the noise curfew, they were not performed with malice and there was no harm to person or property. For this reason, I will not banish her from this gathering, as some have requested. There will, however, still be consequences for her rash behavior. She will assist in the kitchen for the remainder of the day in preparation for tonight’s stone soup. Since her actions affected everyone at camp, she will atone to everyone at camp through her labors.”
    It wasn’t my favorite way to spend the day, but it beat being sent home. Sir Mehmet, however, was not satisfied. “I demand justice! She invaded our campsite and insulted my people. I want trial by combat!”
    “I don’t think I can oblige you, Sir Mooohmet. Bullfighting isn’t legal in these parts,” I told him. I could imagine him pawing the ground and smoke coming out of his nostrils like an old cartoon as he gave me his look of death.
    Just then Korembi picked up one of the abandoned cowbells. “What’s the matter, mon? You don’t appreciate a little music?” He loudly beat the cowbell with the hilt of his dagger. “This party needs more cowbell, mon. You got to mooooove it, mooooove it.” He waggled his hips and danced out of reach of one of Sir Mehmet’s other Minotaur-garbed people.
    The queen shook her head at his antics and ignored me. “Sir Mehmet, your request is denied. There will be no trial by combat. You’ve heard my verdict. I suggest you accept it.”
    Loralei loudly announced, “Justice has been served. Court is dismissed.” Everyone stood as the queen rose from her seat and left the court area.
    I didn’t say a word as Korembi’s wife, Razaini, casually scooped up the rest of the cowbells while Sir Mehmet was busy demanding a chance to appeal the queen’s judgment.
    * * * *
    Lady Caitlyn was making certain I had no shortage of vegetables to peel and chop, in between fetching pitchers of potable water for her from the nearby pump. Kat kept poking her head in to check on me, and I kept sending her away. She was in charge of the feast tomorrow and I didn’t want her to spend all day today in the kitchen, too. “Go have fun, Kat. My fault. My punishment.”
    Things were a little frosty in my direction at first, but the other helpers stopped glaring at me once they saw I was doing my fair share of the work, and without whining. I’m sure it didn’t hurt that they saw Kat and I were friends. Kat was well liked, especially by the cooking volunteers.
    I’d just sliced the last carrot and was ready to move on to the potatoes, when I noticed one of the Beast Lord slave girls perched at the end of the table. “You here for Lord Mooohmet to make sure I’m actually working?”
    “No,” she said quietly. “I’m here because I’ve never seen someone stand up to him like that before. You didn’t even look afraid.”
    I could tell by how quiet the rest of the kitchen got that I wasn’t the only one listening to this. “Ask anyone. I don’t have the sense to be afraid. I take it you know Derek outside of Sylvan Faire?”
    “You could say that. I live with him.” She looked so young−except for the eyes, and