Tapestries 03 - Woven Dreams by N. J. Walters Read Free Book Online

tapestry.” The first warrior stepped beside his brother.
    Her mind whirled with possibilities. She knew the legend of the tapestry. Everyone in Javara knew it. If they thought her a tapestry bride, she might be able to keep her secret from them for three days. At the end of that time, she could slip away and they’d think that the tapestry had taken her home. It was her only choice.
    28
    Stiffening her spine, she struggled to keep a blank expression on her face. “It’s about two feet by three and has a picture of a castle and two warriors standing in front of it.” It was only now that she realized that when she’d finally filled in the features of the warrior these past few months, she’d used the Bakra brothers as a guide. All those months of listening to Leon rant and rave about them during his drunken rages had obviously affected her. They were the ones who had defeated her brothers and emerged triumphant over their evil. Who better for her to weave her dreams around?
    A smile slowly crossed the first warrior’s face. “If the tapestry brought you, then you belong to us.”
    “I don’t understand.” She glanced away, the lie bitter on her lips. But it was better than the alternatives.
    “I am Garrik Bakra.” He gave her a solemn bow. “This is my brother Jarmon.” Jarmon continued to stare at her, his gaze unwavering. He was making her even more nervous. She focused on Garrik instead. “Pleased to meet you both.” He cocked his eyebrow at her. “And you are?”
    Oh gods. Panic threatened to overwhelm her. She couldn’t tell them her real name.
    She had no idea if they knew it or not. Radnor’s face popped into her head and she closed her eyes in relief, sending up a prayer of thanks. “Genny. You can call me Genny.” It was a name she would readily answer to and that was all that mattered.
    “Genny.” Her head jerked around to Jarmon as he said her name softly. “Well, Genny, let’s go and gather your belongings and get moving.” He didn’t believe her. She could sense it in the way he watched her. Every fiber of her being was telling her to run, that he was a danger to her. She forced herself to walk back to the river and retrieve the chemise she’d been using as a washcloth. Wringing out the cloth, she folded it and tucked it under her arm as she began to walk slowly toward the woods. “I don’t understand what you mean about the tapestry.” Pay attention Genita, she scolded herself. No, Genny. She had to start thinking of herself as Genny if she was going to keep up this charade for three days. It was the details that would give her away if she wasn’t cautious. She had to remember that she wasn’t supposed to know anything about the tapestry or the prophecy.
    “We’ll explain everything later.” He was right behind her, matching her step for step.
    Reaching behind a rock, she pulled out her satchel and bedroll, thankful that the tapestry was still safely wrapped in her spare dress within the blankets. She tucked the wet chemise into the satchel. Jarmon took it from her, easily tossing it over his shoulder.
    Wrapping his hand around her wrist, he tugged her deeper into the woods. His grip didn’t hurt her, but there was no way she could get free. He had effectively manacled her to him.
    Garrik joined them, his own pack on his back. They stopped only for a moment as Jarmon gathered his own pack from where he’d hidden it. With Jarmon leading the way 29
    and Garrik following behind them, Genny found herself being pulled further into the unknown.
    Jarmon held his tongue as he and his brother set up camp. They’d walked for several hours, wanting to reach a spot where there was plenty of food, water and shelter if it became necessary. He still didn’t quite believe that the woman was out here on her own. The only reasonable explanation was that what she’d told them was true and the tapestry had indeed brought her to them. They’d kept their pace slow and stopped several times