The Kinshield Legacy by K.C. May Read Free Book Online Page A

everything…”
    “There now, you’re all right,” he said, clumsily patting her shoulder. Despite years of saving people from death and terror, he felt awkward comforting the distraught. Children were easier – his three years as a father had awakened an instinct within him for that.
    Arlet took a moment to compose herself and dabbed her tears with her wet sleeve. “I never met hero before,” she said. “What you are call?”
    “Gavin Kinshield,” he said. He knew what her next question would be.
    “Oh! You are relation to champion of King Arek?” she asked.
    “My great, great grandfather’s great, great grandfather.”
    Arlet tilted her head to look up at him. “Now I see. You have blood of hero.”
    Gavin sighed. Why did people forget that Ronor Kinshield had failed to protect the king? That had hardly made him a hero.
    She directed him through the market and down a side street, then pointed to a short but sturdy man kneeling on the front stoop of a clean, white cottage. “There is Risan on front of our house.”
    Riding up with the man’s wife in his arms wouldn’t be the best start to a new friendship. Gavin had received more than one bloodied nose from misunderstandings and hasty conclusions. He started to dismount so that he could lead Golam by the reins, but then Risan turned his head toward them. Oh hell. Too late.

    As Golam approached the house and stopped, the Farthan man rose and shielded the sun from his eyes with the flat of his hand. He spit out the nails he was holding in his mouth. “What is going on?”
    Gavin couldn’t tell whether Risan was angry or concerned. “Hail, good sir,” he called, dismounting. He wished he didn’t have to handle the man’s wife while he looked on, but Golam was too tall for her to climb down unassisted. Gavin made sure to lift her down in the most gentlemanly way possible.
    “What hell is it? What is wrong?” Risan asked, stepping forward.
    Arlet went to her husband’s side, and he put his arm around her and held her protectively, maybe possessively. “This is Hero Kinshield,” she said through chattering teeth. “He saved my life.”
    Gavin offered his hand. “It’s Gavin.”
    “Saved…?” Risan took Gavin’s hand absently. “By Yrys! How? What happened?”
    “I almost drowned in river,” Arlet said. “Let us go inside and warm up with tea by fire, and I will tell you story of rescue.” She went into the house.
    “You have my deep gratitude, Gavin Kinshield,” Risan said, gripping Gavin’s hand more firmly. “I am Risan Stronghammer. Welcome to my home. Let me take your horse to backyard while both you put on some dry and warm things.”
    Gavin inclined his head. “I just wanted to make sure Arlet arrived home safely. I’ll be on my way now.”
    “Nonsense,” Risan said. He pulled Golam’s reins down and looped them around the tree in the front yard. “You saved my wife. At least let me offer you warm drink and meal. You would not do less if you wear my boots.” He gestured to the door to show Gavin inside.
    The home smelled of fresh mint, prompting a memory so strong, Gavin expected his grandmother to walk through the kitchen door with tray of warm tarts and homemade jelly. A squat table and two small couches, their covers patched with mismatched cloth, took up most of the greatroom. An assortment of bladed weapons covered the walls, their edges and surfaces stained with evidence of heavy use. Ahead sat a round dining table with three chairs, and to its left, a doorway to what Gavin assumed was the kitchen. Behind a closed door on the right, Arlet’s voice called, “Risan, get blanket for Gavin from other room.”
    “Of course,” Risan said. He ducked into a small room beside the closed door and emerged with a patchwork quilt, which he handed to Gavin. “You can take off wet clothes in there. I will see to your horse while you get dry.”
    Gavin slipped into the room and peeled off his wet clothes, then wrapped the