The Keeper's Shadow by Dennis Foon Read Free Book Online

the earth.
    Stowe senses a power, potent like nothing she’s ever felt from him before. The Fandor’s horses sense it too, and slow to a canter despite being brutally whipped across their flanks by their riders. The Fandor, however, seem immune. When they come to a halt only a few paces from Willum, they spring from their horses’ backs, swords ready to slash him to pieces.
    Do not move, do not speak—that is what Willum said. She has to trust him. She has to. She will not; she will not scream. But how can she stop herself? She so wants to make them sprawl on the ground, blood bursting from their ears. Willum must not die. Stowe feels…tears? Tears! How can she bear this helplessness?
    His movement is so swift she does not see exactly how he gets close enough to touch them. But deftly evading their slashes and jabs, he makes contact with each Fandor. His hand covers each face like a claw until they all stand looking benignly at him, like simpletons.
    â€œSleep,” Willum orders.
    And without hesitation, every Fandor lies down on the ground and sleeps.
    This display of Willum’s has aroused the Eater’s suspicions. Like a bony scavenger, she scurries over to examine the snoring men. “What did you do to them?” she demands.
    How dare she! If Stowe could stop crying, she would hurt her. From a corner of her consciousness, she hears Willum respond calmly, “I’ve simplified their minds. Tomorrow they will wake up feeling entirely refreshed, with no memory of today’s event. Perhaps you would like to forget it also?”
    Stowe laughs at the sight of the Eater’s stunned expression. She laughs and laughs, gulping for air, unable to stop. Willum’s mind, ever so gently, touches hers. A time of grieving will come but it is not now. Now you must rest. And then there is nothing but the sound of his voice repeating over and over, Soon, though. Soon you will be home .
    Willum gently nudges Stowe awake, then points to a village gate in the distance. The purple haze of sunset glints across its surface as if off a mottled gem. “This is where I spent the summers of my youth,” Willum says, “with my sister. Some of her people, my people, are still there. We will be welcomed.”
    â€œYou never told me you had a sister.”
    â€œThere were moments I feared you might never learn anything about me.” Willum’s eyes sparkle and he’s smiling broadly. Why is he so happy? It’s unsettling. “It’s good to return here,” Willum says, as if reading her thoughts. “It’s been almost fifteen years.”
    As they draw closer, Stowe can see that the town’s walls are fortified with scrap metal—rusting car fenders, steel barrels squashed flat, angular pieces of iron plate. From a battery of watchtowers, helmeted warriors aim crossbows at them. But when Willum looks up, they lower their weapons. One whistles loudly. The gate slowly opens and the four dusty travelers ride in from the plain.
    Several of the tower guards leap from their posts and rush toward Willum. Tugging off their helmets, Stowe sees that the soldiers are tall, muscular women. And they all know her guardian well. Very well.
    â€œWilli Boy!” A broad-shouldered woman with plaited hair is giving Willum a good-natured poke in the ribs.
    Boy?
    â€œTorin! It’s been too long.” Willum’s poking her back while his other arm wraps around yet another brawny warrior. “Resa!”
    This one hugs him so tightly, Willum groans in pain. “Whoa, Resa, you don’t know your own strength!” he says and as soon as she releases him, he punches her hard in the arm.
    They’re giggling. Like silly schoolchildren. Appalling.
    â€œLet’s get you and your friends cleaned up and fed,” Torin says, giving him a good pound on the back. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”
    As Willum lifts Stowe from their horse, she asks as