Pirate Princess by Catherine Banks Read Free Book Online Page B

would be worried about an attack on us, even with half the King’s Steel ill,” he said with a scoff.
    “You know I’m right, Uncle. It makes sense to allow those who can and want to be in both to do so. It would help unite the factions too. There’s a lot of fighting between them.”
    “I haven’t heard anything about that.”
    I smirked. “Seems that your Chief doesn’t keep you apprised of all matters.”
    “What fighting is happening?”
    “It’s like two different Kingdoms within our walls. The King’s Steel think they’re superior to the Queen’s Fire and vice versa. If you get one journeyman walking alone on the street and three warriors see him they will pick on him. Not to say the journeyman couldn’t handle the three warriors, but it happens and I’ve seen a lot of people hurt and sent to healers over petty rivalry.”
    He rubbed his jaw and said, “I think Griffin and I need to discuss this.”
    “I think the Order of Elders should discuss unification.”
    “Don’t get too cheeky. Just because you’re with us all the time doesn’t mean you get such pull with the Elders.”
    “Maybe you shouldn’t be so far removed from such discussion,” I teased him.
    “I talk with all of our citizens.”
    “But you spend most of your time with the King’s Steel and they’re all too afraid to give you suggestions.”
    “You aren’t afraid.”
    “I’m a sweet, delicate girl. You wouldn’t want to intimidate me so I know I’m safe.” I laughed as soon as I finished.
    He laughed as well and we walked the rest of the way to the castle. We went inside and met Esmeralda, Faxon, and Griffin for dinner. Apparently I had missed lunch. I sat down and my uncle motioned Griffin to come talk to him off to the side of the room. Griffin listened to him and then turned and stared at me in shock. I met his gaze for a moment and then looked at Esmeralda who was talking to me. “Faxon says your first lesson went very well.”
    I nodded my head. “It did.”
    “So, I have a task for you,” she told me.
    “A task?” I asked.
    “She wants to test your unlocking powers,” Faxon explained.
    Esmeralda picked up a small chest and set it on the table in front of me. “Can you unlock this?”
    I examined it, ran my finger over the lock, and felt something burn my fingers in the middle. “Spell protected?” I asked.
    She nodded her head.
    I stared at the lock and after two seconds the lid popped open. I slid the open chest to her and said, “That stung a bit.”
    “Does it still sting?” Faxon asked me.
    I shook my head. “It just stung as I unlocked it.”
    “That fast?” my aunt murmured as she looked at the chest, “That’s amazing.”
    “It seems you’ve impressed everyone today,” Griffin said as he approached the table.
    I didn’t look at him and instead looked at my uncle who was smiling proudly. “I guess,” I answered.
    Esmeralda looked at her husband. “What did she impress you with?”
    “Her dagger throwing,” he said.
    Esmeralda nodded her head. “I think she might be better than you.”
    He arched an eyebrow and said, “Now I think you are forcing me to challenge my niece to a dagger throwing contest with that comment.”
    “You’re just afraid that you will lose,” she teased him.
    “He might,” Griffin said, “I’ve seen her and her form is pretty flawless.”
    “Now you’re all just being silly,” I said, “I could never beat any of you.”
    “I think this trip just became more exciting,” Faxon said with a smile.
    The food was served and I ate and listened to them discussing my feats of the day. I didn’t say anything, but it was nice to have them finally notice my talents. I did notice that Jared steered clear of the faction discussion, but I was okay with that. At least I had planted the idea in his head and he was going to think about all the points I made. We were served dessert, a rare treat, and I ate it slowly, enjoying the sugary goodness.
    “That’s