The Awakened: Book One by Jason Tesar Read Free Book Online Page B

in this city, there were plenty of places to do it.
    “I’ll need a moment alone with him,” he told the woman, who now had tears in her eyes.
    “Certainly, my lord,” she replied with a sniffle and started to walk out.
    “Oh, wait.  I need to see the arrow that you pulled from his leg,” he added.  It was the only clue that he had to go on.
    “Yes, my lord.  I will get it for you,” she said and left Adair alone with Bahari’s body.
    He sat down on the bed and grasped Bahari’s cold hand.  “The gods have not smiled on you today Bahari,” he said aloud.  Pausing to find the words, he continued.  “I will find the one who did this and I will make it right.  You needn’t worry about your wife; she will be taken care of.  I will see to that.  May you find the peace in death that escaped you in life.”
    After a few minutes the old woman returned and handed the arrow to Adair.  He fingered the tip of the arrowhead as a matter of habit, before turning the weapon over in his hands.  The construction of it showed skill, but nothing unusual caught his attention.
    “Thank you,” he said to the woman, tucking the arrow in his belt.
    “Shall I notify his family, my lord?”
    “No, that won’t be necessary.  I’ll take care of it,” replied Adair.  He rose to his feet and excused himself, a feeling of defeat replacing his prior sense of urgency.

Chapter 5
     
    The sun was touching the western horizon, turning the dark blue of the ocean a fiery orange as Adair entered the courtyard of his mansion situated in the hills overlooking Bastul .  All was quiet except for the voices of his son Kael and Ajani, the youngest of the slaves.  Ajani was only slightly older than Kael, but much taller.  The two were throwing makeshift spears at a nearby tree, and from the look of determination on their faces, it was a competition.
    “Hello, boys,” Adair said as he walked up behind them.
    “Hello, father,” Kael answered without looking.  The boy was holding a spear above his shoulder, readying himself for his next throw.
    “I don’t wish to disturb such a fierce competition, but I was hoping that you might know where I could find Saba?”
    “He’s gone until tomorrow,” Kael answered.
    Adair paused with his hand on his chin.  “Well, please continue,” he told the boys with a wave of his hand and walked toward the main entrance of the house.  To the right of the stairs, he found Maeryn sitting on a rock ledge which surrounded a broad-leafed tree.  She was pruning a flowering bush with her back turned to him.  Adair suddenly found a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he decided to sneak up behind her.
    “Those flowers just don’t stand a chance at looking beautiful when you are next to them,” he whispered in her ear.
    Maeryn jumped at the unexpected sound, spinning around.
    Adair couldn’t help the huge smile of amusement that spread across his face.
    Maeryn’s startled expression quickly melted.  She sprang to her feet and threw her arms around him.  “Where have you been?  Is something the matter?  You left so early!”
    Adair rubbed his forehead.  “There is always something the matter; never a moment’s rest for me.”
    For an instant, a flicker of some emotion crossed Maeryn’s face.  Adair had a talent for reading people.  It was one of the skills that allowed him to rise so quickly through the ranks to his current position of authority.  But sometimes his wife was a complete mystery to him.  And now was one of those times.  He knew he should ask her what was wrong, but it had been a long day and he wasn’t in the mood for an emotional conversation.  “Kael said Saba will be gone until tomorrow?” he asked instead.
    “Yes.  He left just after dinner.  I think he was going to visit a friend.  Anyway, he said he should be back before sundown.  Are you hungry?  I could fix you something to eat.”
    Adair smiled.  “I’m starving.  That would be