The Soul Sphere: Book 02 - The Final Shard by David Adams Read Free Book Online Page A

horizon and saw what he expected—no sign of clouds at all. “Riders,” he said, swiveling his head, looking for a place they could go to ground. A small copse of trees several hundred yards to the right was not dense enough to hide them, and the hills here were shallow.
    Alexis drew herself up tall in the saddle. If she was afraid, she did not show it. “Should we stay on as we are? Those trees will not hide us, and even if we want to flee, we cannot do so until we know what direction they come from.” The Plain was still visible to the east and clearly the riders were not there, but north, south, and west were all still possibilities.
    “We stop and listen.”
    They waited while the distant hooves grew louder. Finally, from the west, they saw the riders outlined against the horizon as they crested a hill. They rode swiftly, and more or less directly at them.
    “If we run, must be east,” said Lucien.
    Alexis shook her head. “It’s the wrong direction, and we will be easy to spot.”
    “We go on. If they see us and want talk, we talk.”
    “It might even be your pack.”
    Lucien smiled his eerie goblin smile. “Our luck not that good.”
    “Hasn’t been that bad either, all things considered.”
    They rode on, casually, as if oblivious to the approaching riders. As they moved south, the riders continued for a time in a straight line, such that the intersection of the two groups’ paths would be well behind where Alexis and Lucien currently were. But just as they began to hope they would be missed, the riders turned and moved at them with renewed vigor.
    Lucien reined in his horse. “Wait now.”
    Alexis nodded and studied the approaching group. They numbered thirty or more, and they wore purple and green, rather than the black and red Lucien donned. “Do you recognize them?”
    “Yes. They are Salesh.”
    Alexis waited a time for more, but Lucien was unwilling to comment further without prodding. “Is that good or bad?”
    “Not as good as hoped for. Maybe not as bad as I fear.” He turned to look at her. “If not want to give extra horses as gifts, send home now.”
    “They are not mine to give.”
    “Then send away, or they be taken. Horses we ride we might keep. Excess easier to take.”
    Alexis whispered a few words to the four horses that were currently without riders. They paused for a second, looking from Alexis to the goblins riding toward them. Alexis spoke again, her tone more stern. The horses pivoted and raced away to the northeast. She had to check her own horse to keep him from following.
    The riders were upon them two minutes later, encircling them despite the fact they had shown no interest in fleeing. Several goblins had warblades drawn, but most did not. Lucien took this as a good sign, but he noted several archers in the group as well. Even if he believed the Lorgrasian horses superior to those of the goblins—and he did—he knew if they tried to race away they would likely earn arrows in their backs for the attempt.
    Lucien’s eyes settled quickly on the largest of the goblins. This one was nearly his size, but not quite. He could tell the goblin measured him as well. This large goblin finally spoke a few words to him in their own tongue.
    “I am Lucien in common tongue,” Lucien said. “This Alexis.”
    The large goblin smiled. “You speak common language for guest? I will also. Are you lost?”
    “Travel to find pack.”
    “Is woman hostage?”
    “No. Sister-in-arms.”
    The goblin studied Alexis. “Lorgrasian?”
    “Yes,” Alexis replied.
    “I wonder if you prisoner, and he say not to speak. We do you no harm here. I not interested in trouble with humans. You go if you want.”
    “I travel with Lucien freely,” Alexis replied. “I will stay.”
    The goblin shrugged. “You spy, Lucien?”
    “I have been many things, but never spy.”
    “Then why out here, so far from pack, traveling with Lorgrasian female?”
    “Was sent to treat with humans, to join forces