The Lost Library of Cormanthyr by Mel Odom Read Free Book Online Page A

deep of the forest. Golsway had always assured him that those feelings would someday be followed by the kiss of edged steel. Baylee didn’t doubt his old mentor’s words, but the temptation blew fire through his veins at times.
    “I didn’t bring any orcs with me.”
    Baylee!
    The ranger turned in response to the telepathic warning screamed into his mind. His gaze swept the tree line to the south as the first of the orcs burst into view.
    The creature screamed at once when it realized it had been seen, an ululating wail of presumed triumph. The orc wore a mustard yellow tunic that showed days of accumulated wear, and months of hard usage. Tears revealed the rusty chain mail beneath. An open-faced iron helm covered its head, baring the brutish snout and close-set eyes. The mottled gray-green skin showed lighter against the onset of night.
    Baylee turned instinctively to protect Jaeleen. He flipped his hand, dropping the length of sling and seating the round stone. He whipped it around his head and took a step forward. He released the stone before the orc had covered another three paces.
    Moonlight glinted off the upraised axe in the orc’s hand. Then it disappeared as the stone struck home, shattering the creature’s low forehead between its eyes. The orc dropped to a suddenly silent heap on the forest floor.
    Baylee seated another stone as two more orcs crashed through the wilderness and came at him. He glanced over his shoulder to check on Jaeleen, finding her in full flight a half-dozen paces away.
    And you risk your life for someone such as that, Xuxa rebuked.
    It wasn’t like I thought about it, Baylee responded, falling into cover beside the oak tree. It was a reflex.
    Faugh! You humans would do better off going into season once a year and having done with it. At least there would be an end to such foolishness and it would not insist on being a constant part of your everyday life.
    Baylee snapped another stone toward the approaching enemy. The stone bounced from one of the orcs’ chests with a metallic thud.
    The orc stumbled and almost fell. Hoarse gasps exploded into the clearing as it fought to recapture its breath. The creature’s companion ducked into cover, drawing back the string of its bow. At least eight others moved through the forest around Baylee.
    The ranger turned and ran after Jaeleen. His longer legs gave him the edge over the orcs for the moment. As he ran, his mind raced, laying out the terrain for the coming battle. Giving up the dig before he’d fathomed the truth of it was not an option. His muscles responded somewhat sluggishly, his body already taxed by the days of traveling through the brush and the day spent working his way deep into the earth.
    Leathery wings beat the air above him.
    Xuxa, he called.
    I am here, Baylee.
    Stay with the girl. Protect her if she needs it. Baylee saw her again, still fleeing through the forest, instinctively reading the terrain herself and making for a defensible position. Her rapid departure from the area bothered him somewhat. Together, they could have made a stronger stance against the orcs. And Jaeleen had weapons.
    We owe her nothing.
    No, but I mean to see her protected. Still in full flight, Baylee sprang for a thick limb overhead. Skillfully, he transferred his forward momentum into climbing as he scampered up the tree as easily as most men might scale a ladder. The leather work gloves protected his hands from the rough bark. He carried the sling in his mouth as he took care not to disturb the branches with his climb.
    My place is with you.
    Xuxa, please don’t argue now.
    The azmyth bat made a sound of displeasure.
    Glancing upward through the tree, the sky limned by the quarter moon and looking a dark sapphire color now that the sun had dropped below the rim, Baylee saw the angular bat’s body suddenly flip in mid-flap and alter course. Thank you.
    Be safe, Baylee. Until we are together again. The bat streaked after the woman.
    Baylee felt