The Sword of Light: Book One of the Veredor Chronicles by E J Gilmour Read Free Book Online Page A

think she’ll let us stay a little while longer; at least
until you’re completely well, but we definitely have to pay her
something, and you’re the only one of us who has any
money.’
    ‘ Sure, I will pay, but I don’t want to be a burden on her.
Maybe we should leave sooner rather than later.’
    ‘ Oh, don’t worry,’ replied Red. ‘She likes having us around.’
Red put his feet back up to warm them again.
    ‘ She doesn’t seem to like you much at all.’
    Red’s threw
his head back and laughed. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. Of course she
likes me.’
    ‘ Are you sure?’ asked Eben, not convinced.
    Red didn’t
answer. He watched the flames of the fire for a few seconds. ‘So,
you were saying about your meeting,’ he said, changing the topic.
Eben thought he probably shouldn’t ask about Red and Stella’s
relationship.
    ‘ Yes, the meeting was brought to an end when the house was
attacked by a sorcerer.’
    ‘ A what?’ cried Red, his eyes widening in shock.
    ‘ They were discussing some very serious matters and the house
was attacked. I made it to the roof in an attempt to escape. I fell
when the house collapsed, and that was when I was injured, but I
managed to escape through the back alleys and made my way back
here.’
    ‘ We did warn you. Getting involved in anything that questions
the King is dangerous,’ said Red, taking an unfamiliar serious
tone.
    ‘ Red’s right,’ said Stella as she came back into the room from
the kitchen. ‘He may be a bad king, but King Ignis is our
king...’
    ‘ He’s your king, Stella. Remember I’m Silvorian,’ said Red,
lifting his chin proudly.
    ‘ Actually he’s not a king at all. He’s an imposter,’ said
Eben. Stella and Red froze.
    ‘ An imposter!’ shouted Red, almost slipping from his
chair
    ‘ That’s what the meeting was called to discuss. The real King
Ignis is imprisoned in a dungeon on the island of Zyran. An
imposter sits on the throne of Ortaria. It’s all an evil plot put
together by a group of Zyranian wizards,’ said Eben. There was a
stunned silence. Only the crackle of the fire made any
sound.
    ‘ Surely this can’t be true,’ said Red. ‘How can they be sure?’
Stella looked to Red and then her eyes darted back to
Eben.
    ‘ They believed it enough to put their lives at risk,’ said
Eben. ‘And look what happened to me. I was lucky to escape. The
authorities didn’t want anyone to get out. They want to make sure
no one knows what I just told you.’
    Stella looked
to be deep in thought. A moment later there was a thudding knock at
the door. Stella took a quick breath and anxiously stared across at
Eben.
    ‘ They don’t know where you are staying do they?’ asked Stella,
whispering fearfully.
    ‘ I don’t think so,’ whispered Eben.
    They all stood
up and walked toward the door. Again the heavy knock rang out.
    ‘ Who is it?’ asked Stella.
    ‘ I’m looking for Eben. Is he staying here?’ asked a man’s
voice from outside. Stella backed away, and she looked back at Red
and Eben. Red signalled for her to reveal nothing.
    ‘ There’s no one by that name here,’ she answered.
    There was
silence for a few moments. Suddenly the locked bolt of the door
started moving and opening by itself.
    ‘ Bloody magic!’ gasped Red, clenching his fists. Stella
stepped back behind the young men. A moment later the door opened.
Cassiel stood in the doorway.
    ‘ Die Zyranian!’ shouted Red, instantly leaping forward.
Cassiel lifted his hand and stopped Red in his tracks; an invisible
wall barred his way. Red pushed forward but couldn’t
move.
    ‘ Red, he’s not against us,’ shouted Eben. Red stopped trying
to press against the barrier and moved back a little. Cassiel
walked into the room and gently closed the door.
    ‘ That’s the kind of bravery we need,’ said Cassiel with a
slight smile. ‘I’m sorry to surprise you like this.’
    ‘ Who is he?’ asked Stella nervously, glancing across at
Eben.
    ‘ This is