Van Laven Chronicles by Tyler Chase Read Free Book Online Page A

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    CHAPTER 10
     
    Dusk was upon them and Comron was guiding them away from the stream they’d been traveling along. The nocturnal creatures would most likely gather near the water, some to drink, and others to prey on them. Best to avoid them.
    In the thick, sweltering atmosphere, they were both drenched through as they maintained an aggressive pace. Eventually, they reached a small clearing Comron judged to be adequate enough to accommodate two people with a modest degree of propriety. He stopped and peered out, surveying the land. Vaush pulled up alongside him breathing heavily.
    “I estimate another day and a half’s travel to reach the coast,” Comron announced.
    “Two more days of this,” Vaush said, catching her breath.
    He glanced at her and moved off. Though he believed Vaush was innocent, he still hadn’t made up his mind whether or not this whole situation had been concocted by Larrs for some nefarious reason.
    “Even if we had the means, it wouldn’t be prudent to light a fire,” Comron commented, hoping to avoid any uninvited guest.
    Vaush gazed at the darkening sky. “No matter, we’ve got a clear sky and two full moons.”
    Comron made no reply. He flipped the lid off his water canister and tilted his head back, taking several long swallows. He removed his shirt and poured the remaining water over his head, cooling his body. He felt Vaush’s eyes upon him, but when he looked, she abruptly turned away and drank from her own canister.
    Larrs Bastionli’s daughter! he reprimanded himself, trying to extinguish the pleasure he felt at catching her staring.
    He pulled a blanket from his satchel and stretched it out at the base of a tree. Vaush followed suit at the opposite end of the clearing, as far away as the space would allow. That he felt offended by this annoyed him.
    He checked his wrist chronometer. Certainly by now, Crausin would realize something had gone wrong and would send a search party for him. A slight beeping noise from his chronometer signaled an incoming message. He tapped the device to view the message. Unfortunately, it was merely a reminder of an upcoming appointment. Just as he had suspected, no communications could be received or sent.
    The appointment was with a design engineer for the final approval on the remodel of Comron’s new home, the Tristain Hall estate. Crausin had observed Comron admiring the property one day and thus decided to make it a gift to him for his upcoming nuptials. The grand estate rivaled the Van Laven ancestral home in many ways. Indeed, it was a property fit for a Duke, but more importantly to Crausin, it was adjacent to the Northridge Castle estate, which would make them neighbors. Comron would remain as always, under Crausin’s watchful eye and constant control.
    Even his betrothal had been scrupulously arranged by Crausin, every single detail of it. He shut his eyes against the rising bitterness. I must do this to obtain the Eskridge holdings.
    Love was not a factor in the betrothal negotiations, the transfer of wealth and invaluable assets was all that mattered. In fact, Crausin had gone to great lengths to ensure that Comron would never come to love his future bride.
    Initially, Comron had been enraged by Crausin’s cruel betrayal, but in the end he understood that his father had simply wanted to expose Spira’s true lascivious nature before Comron had the misfortune of falling in love with her. Despite the humiliating indignity of it, the marriage would proceed as scheduled, for house Van Laven required the coveted banking deposits held by Eskridge. The grand wedding would be nothing more than the celebration of a lucrative business deal.
    He touched the Oath Medallion that hung from his neck. I sacrifice myself so Nethic may gain a seat on the imperial reserve board, and from there, a place among the Great Houses. I will toast to the glory of Nethic…
    When Comron suddenly saw the humanoid figures