Light of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 1) by Karen Hancock Read Free Book Online Page B

was his sister doing… ? Oh, the Festival of Arms.
Her husband, chief of the border lords, must have come down for the contest,
bringing her with him. And she, seizing the opportunity, had come to see
Eldrin. For the first time in eight years.
    Trepidation tempered his rising delight. As fraternal twins he and his sister had been inseparable throughout childhood, and she’d been devastated by
his decision to enter the Mataio. They had argued hotly during the weeks
before he left. Afterward her letters had been brief and cool. That, of course, could be due to their having been censored, but as far as he knew, she’d never
forgiven him.

    The boy was eyeing him nervously. “Shall I t-tell her you are unavailable,
Brother?”
    “Of course not. Where is she?”
    “B-by the pool in the g-guest’s garden. I c-could lead you there if you
w-wish.”
    “Please.”
    The garden lay across the main court, west of the Keep itself. Graveled
paths wound between hedges of redhart and hockspur and beds of smaller
herbs laden with fragrant purple-and-white flowers. Downslung branches of
tall, stately weepers provided shady bowers for meditation or counsel, their
yellow, fleshy blossoms abuzz with bees and hummingbirds.
    The boy led him to a small court with a stone-lined pool and looked
around. “I had t-trouble finding you, Brother. She was t-to have been escorted
here, but … p-perhaps she did not stay.”
    Eldrin doubted that. He swung round searching, then heard a familiar
voice ring briskly over the hedges. “I’ve been waiting over half an hour,
Brother? I will be put off no longer.”
    With a nod of thanks to the acolyte, Eldrin headed for the voice. Rounding a spherical bush, he spied a tall, amber-gowned figure near the rear portico, half hidden by the weeper that stood at the path’s bending between
them. She’d cornered a young Initiate Brother.
    “But you must know everyone here, sir?” she exclaimed. “How hard can
it be to find him?”
    The Initiate, shorter than she, had retreated up against a pillar, hands
offered placatingly. “I’m sorry, my lady,” he said. “There are many newcomers
this week.” His gaze caught on Eldrin. “Here comes another. Perhaps he will
know where to find the one you seek.”
    As it happens, I do,” Eldrin said, coming up beside them, straight-faced.
    Carissa whirled to confront him. “Then, why is he not…” She trailed
off, blue eyes wide. He couldn’t keep from grinning then, while the Initiate
retreated hastily.
    The last time Eldrin had seen her, his twin had been a chubby, freckled
adolescent. Now she was a beautiful young woman, slender and graceful in a
full-skirted gown of amber silk. Her thick blond hair was twisted into ropes at the crown and netted into a club at the nape of her neck. Soft tendrils
framed a smooth complexion with features gentler than his own, though she
shared his straight, narrow nose and deep-set blue eyes.

    Those eyes traveled over him now, head to toe and back again. “Plagues,
Abramm?” she croaked. “Your hair’s nearly as long as mine?”
    “I’m told it grows exceptionally fast.”
    `And you’re so tall. And you look so much like-“
    “Like Father. I know.”
    She grimaced. “Well, except for the hair, of course.”
    `And a few other attributes.”
    They looked at each other and burst into laughter. She flung her arms
around his neck. “Oh, Abramm, it is so good to see you again?”
    After a moment Eldrin pushed her gently away. He was sworn to chastity,
and even touching a woman, sister or not, was frowned upon. “It’s Eldrin
now,” he murmured.
    They stood awkwardly for a moment. Then he said, “Have you come
down for the Festival, then?”
    “Rennalf has, yes.” She stroked the folded paper fan looped to her wrist.
`And I’m going to Thilos in a couple of days. To visit Aunt Ana.”
     
    Again they fell into silence.
    “Of course,” she burst out, “I won’t go until after the