Rise of the Red Harbinger by Khalid Uddin Read Free Book Online Page B

stupid enough to believe three strange men who show up on my father’s farm in the middle of the night? Give me a reason to believe you. Prove to me that I can trust you.”
    “We were sent by someone else to find you, Baltaszar. We are simply messengers for a greater man. He had hoped that your father would have educated you about the world long ago, and that you would seek him out. But he has waited long enough. With your father’s passing, the time has come for you to understand the world beyond your town.”
    Could it be? Could there really be a connection between Father and their master? What if Baltaszar was right? “What are you talking about? What is beyond this town?”
    “Baltaszar, you are quite a special young man. Our master has known about you for a long, long time. There are things outside of Haedon that depend on you. My master simply wishes to guide you and protect you.”
    What was that name Baltaszar said? Damn it, what was it? “Who is this master of yours and how does he know about me? Is his name Da…Darian? Is it Darian that you’re talking about?”
    Linas paused, and then turned to look at one of the men behind him. The man nodded approvingly, and Linas turned back and looked directly up at Bo’az. “Yes my friend. We answer to Darian. At least your father mentioned something to you. Now please, come down. If we really meant harm, we would have just broken into the house and attacked you.”
    Maybe it should have just been Baltaszar here instead of me. What am I doing? If he had just come with me, this wouldn’t be so difficult. And now he’s off on his own, trying to find Darian, when these men are willing to take him right to Darian. Fool.
    It was too coincidental that so many people were showing up after their father’s death, trying to get them out of Haedon. Someone found Baltaszar, and these men had now found him. Going with them seemed wisest, now that Yasaman had intruded upon his house and made it no longer safe.
    I guess it’s either go with them or wait for her parents to chase us. Stupid girl. Is kissing her really worth the trouble? Bo’az turned and stared down the dark hallway to see her petite silhouette peeking from a doorway on the right. Linas hadn’t mentioned anything about her. There was a chance he didn’t know she was here. Turning back toward the window, Bo’az leaned out. “I need to pack some clothes, tools, and supplies. Give me a moment and I’ll come down.” Linas nodded in agreement.
    “Did you hear that?” he asked Yasaman.
    “Somewhat. I mostly heard your side of the conversation, and tried to make sense of it all. I guess we’re leaving, then?” she pulled him close again.
    Be natural . Bo’az wrapped her in his arms and kissed her forehead. “Looks like it. They want me, though. I don’t think they know you’re here.”
    She pushed him away. “So what, you’re going to run away with strange visitors in the middle of the night and leave me here?”
    “You know that’s not what I mean, Yas.” He almost felt he was Tasz at this point, arguing with her. “I’m just saying that when we walk outside, they might be surprised to see you. So don’t do anything crazy or stupid.”
    “Thanks.”
    Perfect. Now she’s mad at me, and she doesn’t even know who ‘me’ is . “Come on, let’s just get our things packed and go.”
    Bo’az returned to his room and put on his black cloak. He went back to the closet and grabbed another pack, randomly threw clothes and another cloak in it, and slung it onto his back. Yasaman waited in the hall after getting her pack from Baltaszar’s room. “Why are you taking your brother’s clothes instead of your own?”
    Great. Questions . “I…uh, I was going to see if we could stop in the forest first to give these to him. Even if he won’t come along, he could use these.”
    “Wait, he’s not coming with us?”
    “He’s not going to want to. Besides, the man out there, Linas, only seems to be