The King's Sword by AJ Searle Read Free Book Online Page B

keeping quiet. But Arien’s eyes were wild and he trembled though Ronan could not be sure if it were from fear or devotion to him.
    “Get back,” Ronan said lowly and raised his voice slightly when the boy did not obey. “I said to get back, boy.”
    “Forgive me but I will not.” Arien shook his head, and then looked at Bryan. “ I am the blacksmith you seek. I carry the King’s Sword.” Behind them, Ula groaned lowly.
    “Then give it to me.” Bryan smirked. It was clear he did not believe the boy was who he claimed to be. He would have been a fool if he did. Ronan assumed it was evident now which of them was really the blacksmith.
    “What are you doing?” Ronan demanded, and then nearly fell from the horse when Arien swiped the bundled sword from Sorcha’s pack.
    “If you want this thing, then come and get it!” Arien let the leather fall back and the white metal of The King’s Sword shown brightly in the sun. Ronan reached to take it back but Arien kicked Ahearn and they both went flying forward. The centaurs wasted no time and in moments were in pursuit.
    The whole world seemed to quake beneath the impact of the centaurs’ hooves hitting the road. It rumbled through Ronan’s chest in the split second he remained still. Their powerful legs echoed the strength each one possessed as they chased after the sword.
    “Dragon’s blood!” Ronan cursed into the thunder of the chase and kicked his own horse forward in a full gallop, praying Sorcha would do most of the work. “Arien!” Ronan called as the boy disappeared around a bend but he was ignored.
    Sorcha was as fast as Keegan had said she was and was quickly passing the centaurs on the road. Ronan felt the muscles of her moving beneath him and realized suddenly how powerful Keegan’s horses really were. However, he did not have the advantage of being connected to the beast he rode and Bryan’s heavy fist knocked him from Sorcha’s back. Blackness threatened to overtake him when his head cracked against a stone.
    Fighting to remain conscious, Ronan rolled out of the way of Keegan’s horse charging after the centaurs. The man looked like he’d almost become centaur himself, one with the animal he rode. Ronan was surprised to see Ula bent forward on her own animal, looking very much the witch with her hair flapping behind her. He clutched at his head and staggered forward.
    Come back. Ronan’s desperate thoughts pounded against his temple in pain. Ahearn, bring me my sword back! Ronan forced himself to head down the road, praying that Arien wasn’t killed for his stupidity. Maybe the boy would just give them the damned weapon to spare his life. They could always get it back.
    Bruised skin bubbled and swelled beneath Ronan’s fingers, easing blood out onto his hand. Still, he continued forward, blocking out the pain that summoned attention. He had to get to Arien.
    The sound of a horse approaching moments later caused Ronan to look up. Ahearn stopped in front of Ronan, breath blowing heavily from his nose. At first Ronan did not move. Had the horse heard his silent plea? Ahearn snorted as if in answer.
    Fear suddenly leapt in Ronan’s throat. He didn’t stop to think, reaching to pull himself onto Ahearn’s back. His hand connected to the cool metal of the King’s Sword. It had gotten caught in the reins and held on. But where was Arien?
    As he swung onto the horse, rage filled him. What if the boy was killed? Ronan bent forward as he’d seen Ula do when Ahearn headed back up the road in a full gallop. His fingers gripped the hilt of the sword, and he promised himself that he would cut off Bryan’s blond head if Arien had been killed.
    “Faster,” Ronan growled and to his surprise Ahearn leaned into the run, forcing his legs to pump harder. Around the bend and the horse reared up as he halted. Ronan’s eyes were wide as they fell to Arien’s crumpled body. Keegan and Ula stood, surrounded by the centaurs while Sorcha, Dermot, and