WayFarer by Janalyn Voigt Read Free Book Online

Although he did not blame Elcon for wanting time alone with Raena Arillia, he thought it a poor choice for the Lof Shraen to go out without a guard. Elcon would no doubt call for him upon his return, but for now Kai was free to climb the earthen path that skirted the hill, a trail no doubt made by deer. The sun beat on him as he emerged from beneath the trees , but he didn’t mind it. Soon enough they would trade summer’s warmth for the cold, overcast days of winter.
    A crashing in the brush warned him of the stag before it appeared. As the magnificent beast leaped past him Kai had little time to sidestep. Thwack! The stag arrested midair and crashed to the ground below the path. Kai looked, not toward the slain deer, but uphill, one hand going to the hilt of his blade, the other to the dagger tucked into his belt. His posture relaxed. “Well, then. Good day to you.”
    Dorann lowered his bow and gave a nod. “I’m sorry I startled you.”
    “You came a bit close with that arrow.”
    Dorann slung his bow across his back and half-slid down the hill to draw abreast of Kai. He pulled a hunting knife that gleamed and dove into the brush below the path. “You were safe enough.” Kai followed, coming upon Dorann in time to see him slash the dead beast’s throat. “I suppose I’m used to lesser marksmen—excluding, of course, Aerlic.”
    Dorann bent to examine the motionless animal, then stood and gave Kai a grin.
    “It’s well I came across you. The Lof Shraen requires at his meeting table this eve all who accompanied Shae.”
    Dorann gave him a long look but nodded without speaking. He turned to hoist his kill upon his shoulders. The great head hung backward, its antlers branching down, and swung as Dorann started up the hill, dragging the dead beast behind him.
    “Here, let me help you.”
    Dorann shook his head. “I’m balanced this way.”
    “How is it you still hunt and track while your brother serves as a guardian of Rivenn? Should I speak to Craelin on your behalf?”
    “He already asked.” Dorann puffed out the words. “I said no.”
    “You said no? Why?”
    Dorann paused at the top of the hill. “Each man has his place in this world. Here’s mine.”
     
    ****
     
    “How did you come upon the Elder youth you brought into Torindan?”
    Why did Elcon ask the same question twice? Kai, seated beside Craelin, frowned. Had Elcon not heard their answers when he first asked, or did he look for another truth?
    Across the Lof Shraen’s meeting table Aerlic, Eathnor, and Dorann quaffed steaming cider after a fine meal. Beside Kai, Guaron kept his own counsel. Farther down the table Benisch still attacked a roasted crobok leg.
    Kai tried again. “Emmerich came into Elderland at Gilead Riann in place of Shae.”
    Elcon’s green eyes lit. “You saw this?”
    “I saw this.”
    Dorann cleared his throat. “As did I.”
    Elcon said nothing for a time then gave a curt nod. “I believe you.”
    Benisch waved the half-eaten crobok leg. “Begging your pardon, but whether or not you saw the Elder come from the gateway matters not. That’s not the question t’ask at all. You want to know just who came through the gateway.” He looked first to Elcon, and then swept a glance to all those seated. “ Who is this Elder?”
    Kai considered Benisch’s question. How could he say with certainty he knew the answer? And yet he felt he did. Try as he might, he found no words to speak his heart.
    Elcon lifted a tankard to his lips, his expression meditative.
    Benisch eyed them. “Am I to understand none can answer my question? And yet you brought this Elder, whoever he might be , into Torindan and into the presence of your Lof Shraen.” He shook his head in apparent amazement at such perfidy.
    Elcon put his tankard down. “Thank you, Benisch. You’ve clarified matters.”
    Benisch sat back with a grunt and gave himself once more to his food. Kai averted his eyes. Although Benisch had excellent manners, he did not