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

blanket around his waist. He was setting his boots on the hearth and laying his wet clothes in front of the dying embers when Risan came in.
    Risan put a log in the fireplace, arranged it in the coals, and encouraged it to light with a pair of bellows. The log began to smoke and a fire rose on one end. Then he knocked on the closed door. “Do you need help, chishen ?”
    “No, I am fine,” Arlet called. “Would you bring us some tea?”
    “Please have seat,“ Risan said to Gavin. ”I have hot water on stove.” He scurried to the kitchen.
    “Did you make these weapons?” Gavin called out.
    “Some,” Risan replied. He returned with a steaming kettle and three cups stacked precariously, and set them on a table. He pointed to the broadsword mounted over the window and the axes beside the fireplace. “Those I made many years ago. Lots of good memory in them. My father made that halberd and those knives. My grandfather made that sword there. He served as blacksmith to emperor of Fartha, you know.” Risan stroked his long black beard and rocked back on his heels.
    “Is that so?” Gavin asked. “That’s a fantastic weapon.” As Gavin’s gaze caressed each of the blades, his respect for Risan’s skill swelled, and he longed to feel the solid weight of the weapons in his hand.
    “Smaller than you are use to,” Risan said, “but not so unwieldy for Farthan warriors.”
    “Your skill’s admirable. I ‘specially like the design of this one,” Gavin returned, pointing to a longsword.
    Arlet came out of the bedroom dressed in dry clothes and bundled in a blanket. She’d combed out her wet hair and tied it back. Risan smiled and went to her, brushing his hand over her face.
    “Please, let us sit and have warm tea,” Risan said. “I am eager to hear of rescue.”
    Gavin sat on the couch across from the fireplace so that Arlet could sit closer to its warmth. Risan settled beside his wife on the couch and pulled her close with an arm around her shoulders while she told him about her ordeal. Although she exaggerated Gavin’s heroics, he kept quiet and let her tell it.
    “Then come black spots and I know here is my end. I think I soon will be in Afterworld. I wonder what it will be like. For first time in fifteen years, I pray. I ask Yrys to keep Risan safe, and with my last thought in my heart, I die.
    “Then I am coughing. I see man kneel next to me and he help me to sit up. He is so big I think he must be god, mayhap even Yrys Himself.” Arlet smiled at Gavin. “Does he not look like god from myths of old?”
    Gavin felt heat spread across his face. “There now--”
    “So big and strong, with dark curls and deep eyes. I think his gaze so intense, he must see through my mind to back of my head.”
    Risan and Arlet laughed in a gentle, teasing manner, and Gavin forced a smile.
    “Then he brings donkey back, and I know he is real man and I am still in realm of living. I see he has blood on his head. My hero is injure to save my life. I am not surprise to learn he is great-kin of Ronor Kinshield.”
    Gavin prepared to divert the conversation away from Ronor Kinshield’s false heroism, but Arlet said no more. Risan drew her into his arms, kissing her soundly on her forehead and cheeks, nose and lips. Then he hugged her and rocked back and forth.
    Looking away, Gavin tried to give them as much privacy as the circumstances allowed, but still he could hear Risan whispering his love to her. He thought of the last time he’d held Talisha in his arms and told her he loved her. Tell her now, Risan. While she’s still alive to hear it.
    Then, Risan stood and offered his hand, and Gavin stood also. “There are no words for expressing how deep is my gratitude.” He grasped Gavin’s forearm with his free hand and pumped hard. “I will give you special reward to match value of your deed. Warrant knights call it valour-gild, yes? We Farthans call it fël . Let me see your sword.”
    Gavin handed him the sword, and