The Gods of Amyrantha by Jennifer Fallon Read Free Book Online Page A

'No, we just left half a day before you and didn't founder anything getting here, that's all. This is Warlock, by the way. And his friend, Boots.'
    The man handed his reins to one of his companions, who led the horses off around the yard to walk them a little while they cooled down. He then turned to the two Crasii and, to Warlock's astonishment, offered him his hand. 'I'm Aleki Ponting. Shalimar speaks highly of you both.'
    'Lord Ponting?' Boots asked, as shocked as Warlock at the man's lack of artifice. 'Of Summerton?'
    'You've heard of me?'
    'I grew up at Lebec Palace.'
    'Ah! Then you probably know my mother, yes?' Lord Ponting didn't seem particularly worried by the notion. 'She's a frequent guest at the palace.'
    Boots shook her head. 'No, my lord, I never met her. I mean ... I know of her.'
    Warlock thought it interesting Boots had automatically granted Aleki Ponting his title. She wasn't usually so accommodating.
    'I can imagine you do,' Aleki agreed with a smile. 'She's fairly notorious. Have you eaten?'
    'Yes,' Warlock informed him. 'Shalimar arranged —'
    'A snack,' Boots interjected. 'So if you want to stop for lunch, we don't mind staying for seconds.'
    'Thirds,' Warlock corrected under his breath.
    Boots grinned, wagging her tail. 'The stew here is pretty good.'
    'I know. Clyden is quite famous for his stew,' Aleki agreed. 'And we have the time, I suppose. Did you arrange horses for them, Shalimar?'
    The old man nodded. 'In the stable. And if you're happy to take care of these two now, I'd like to get going.'
    'Of course,' Lord Ponting agreed, and then he turned and indicated his two companions. 'Lon and Tenry will escort you.'
    'We've talked about this, Aleki,' Shalimar reminded him.
    'You're a lone old man on a road notorious for its highwaymen, Shalimar, heading into a potentially dangerous situation. Take the damned escort and be thankful.'
    The old man frowned. 'Declan put you up to this, didn't he?'
    Lord Ponting smiled. 'And what loyal servant of the king would dare defy the King's Spymaster?' 'This one, for starters.'
    'You know I'll only make them follow you if you refuse,' the younger man warned, making Warlock wonder where the old man was heading. The road from Lebec was well travelled and the city was a mere hour or two away, even on foot.
    Surely he's just going to turn around and go home?
    Aleki sighed. 'You might as well just accept them and enjoy their company.'
    Shalimar muttered something rude under his breath and then nodded with ill grace. 'It's not nice to bully an old man.'
    'I'll be sure to mention your displeasure to your grandson, when next I see him.'
    'I'm sure he already knows,' Shalimar grumbled.
    The old man turned to the bodyguard who was standing behind Lord Ponting, fixing his displeased gaze him. 'Well, don't just stand there, man! Fetch my horse from the stable. It's the piebald. And you,' he called to the other man walking the horses. 'Try to look a bit more intimidating, would you. If we are set upon by bandits, you'll be the first one they kill, just because you look so damned pathetic'
    Aleki smiled even wider, shaking his head, and then issued his own instructions to his men, which were to not let Shalimar Hawkes out of their sight. As he spoke, the first guard returned from the inn's stables with Shalimar's piebald pony. The old man shucked off any attempt at assistance and swung into the saddle with surprising agility.
    When he was mounted, he turned the horse until he was facing Warlock and Boots. 'You can trust Aleki. He'll see you come to no harm.'
    'Thanks for the help, Shalimar,' Boots replied. 'And the food.'
    'Thanks for the company,' the old man replied. He looked at Warlock and then bent down to offer him his handshake. 'It's been good knowing you, Warlock.'
    'And you, too, Shalimar,' the Crasii agreed, out of politeness more than genuine appreciation for the old man's help. He still wasn't entirely convinced this wasn't an elaborate trap, although why any human