The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) by Nicole MacDonald Read Free Book Online

wasn’t your intention for the spell to work like this but you are partially responsible .
    Cat gave her that hard look again and Sian gave a tiny nod.
    Fine, let’s get this over with, she thought and sat up, glancing around the room until she met the eyes of a woman who stood observing them.
    Right, here we go—best stick as close to the truth as possible . Sian smiled at the woman.
    The woman stepped forward and the room went silent as everyone gave her their attention.
    'Greetings. Welcome to Lothost. My name is Henja and my husband and I own the Inn here,' Henja smiled at them.
    Sian inclined her head.
    'Greetings, Henja. Thank you for your welcome and for your town’s protection, it’s most appreciated.'
    The girls nodded in agreement.
    'What brings you here?' queried Henja.
    Sian hesitantly began.
    'We’re—searching—for someone who can help us. In a magical matter.'
    She watched, amused as her friends’ faces went blank then changed to apparent knowledge. Good girls, she thought, follow my lead.
    Henja looked fascinated.
    'Oh? Perhaps our town caster can help. What’s the issue?'
    'The shield which protects our realm has dissipated. We’re at a loss as to why. This means now creatures such as elgrids can get into our realm, where as before they couldn’t. While we’d heard of elgrids before, we’d never actually seen one.'
    There was a stunned silence as everyone in the room gaped at them. One of the men stepped away from his position at the window.
    'Never seen one? That must be an awfully strong shield.'
    'Yes, it was. We’ve been told there’s someone with great power in this realm. We hoped to locate them and ask for their help.' Sian mentally crossed her fingers.
    Please let this work.
    'Oh you’ll be talking about Elena the Sorceress,' chimed up a little old lady. Henja agreed.
    'Gran Nina is right; the Sorceress would be the ideal person to see.'
    Sian felt a rush of relief, it had worked!
    'Where does Elena usually reside?'
    Henja frowned.
    'Well normally at the Castle, but there have been some serious disturbances in the South and I believe she’s keeping an eye on that. Although that doesn’t mean she isn’t at the castle.'
    I listened to the exchange while observing the people in the room. Their accent was so unusual, like an odd combination of Scottish, American and Asian. I continued to listen as Sian asked Henja where the castle was.
    Their costume wasn’t what I’d expected either. Considering our weapons and outfits, I’d assumed the women would be in dresses and corsets. Instead there seemed to be some variety and absolutely no corsets. A couple of women wore heavy wrap-around skirts tied with a wide belt, paired with knee high boots and a fitted boat neck jersey. I was surprised; I guess our outfits aren’t that unusual then.
    Gran Nina wore baggy trousers held up by a wide belt and a fitting tunic with side splits that fell to her hips. My own pants had a wide band and laced up over one hip and were well made if you took into account the sprint we’d just done. What sort of fabric is it, I wondered.
    It isn't leather, maybe cotton, or something like it. I rubbed my fingers over my knee, trying to identify it.
    'We’d like to stay the night at your Inn if you have room, wouldn’t we, Catherine?'
    I blinked in surprise at Sian’s none too gentle shove.
    'Oh. Yes. Certainly, that would be great,' I assured Henja who beamed at us.
    Right, focus on the conversation Cat. It appeared Sian had arranged dinner and breakfast as well as a bath; I inwardly did cartwheels of delight at the idea of being clean.
    Loi interrupted Sian.
    'Henja, would you be able to arrange us some supplies, for the next few days?'
    Henja lit up, eagerness at the prospect of business apparent on her broad face.
    'Of course, it will cost extra though?'
    'That’ll be no problem,' Sian assured her. 'As long as it’s enough to reach the next village.'
    'Yes, yes. Though I should warn you, it’ll take