Heir of Amber and Fire by Rachanee Lumayno (read aloud books .TXT) 📕

Chapter Sixteen

THE DAYS PASSED BY in a similar rhythm. Covering the seemingly endless miles on horseback, Farrah and I would spend the days discussing magic theory. Through her tutelage I became better at using my magic skills.

Before falling asleep, I’d either read my spell book and practice, or listen to the stories my companions told. They had an easy camaraderie that I envied. Being royalty meant that people around me were always guarded, either on their best behavior or seeking something to help them advance. I had few truly real friends. But these three didn’t have those inhibitions in place. I learned that Farrah’s family had moved to Orchwell when she was five, and she and Beyan had grown up together. Rhyss had moved to Orchwell later, as a teenager, and the three of them quickly become inseparable.

I enjoyed getting to know my companions, although I remained wary. Once or twice I caught myself before I let something about my true self slip. Luckily, none of them seemed to notice.

One night, when we all were gathered around the campfire, Beyan asked me out of the blue, “So, Allayne, why are you looking for Joichan? I would think Queen Melandria of Calia could engage any of her knights to search, instead of sending an unarmed woman after a dangerous dragon.”

I had been hemming one of my dresses, which was a painstaking process. One dress, which would have taken Taryn just a few short hours to hem, was, so far, taking me the entire journey to fix. Beyan’s question startled me, and I jammed my finger with my needle. Blood welled up on my forefinger, and I pressed it against my thumb, hoping to stanch the flow immediately.

Seeing what had happened, Farrah said, “Oh, you’ve hurt yourself!”

“It’s nothing,” I said, as she fussed over my finger. Secretly, I was glad for the distraction, as it gave me a chance to think about how to answer Beyan.

Farrah held my hand, palm up, in hers. In seconds, she had magically sewn the wound shut. My finger was smooth and clean, no scarring, as if the gash had never been. Even the blood on my thumb and index finger were gone.

“Thank you,” I said, marveling at her handiwork.

She shrugged modestly, but I caught the hint of a pleased smile teasing the corners of her mouth.

Beyan was still watching me, patiently waiting for an answer to his question. What was it that Taryn had said? The best lies have a bit of truth in them.

Cautiously taking my needle up, I said, “My father was one of the knights who went forth to fight the dragon Joichan.” I didn’t have to say which knight. “I was just a baby.” Still true.  Somewhat. “He... he perished in the attempt. When I was old enough, I went into service at the palace to help my family. Because of my history, when the queen decided to track down Joichan, I volunteered.” Somehow I had said the rest of that without lightening striking me, and I sounded convincing. I hoped.

“You volunteered?” Rhyss said. “Why?”

“Volunteer might not be completely accurate,” I allowed. “I wanted to go because I hoped it will help my family gains.” Like by helping me gain a family.

The others nodded. As adventurers-for-hire, they could understand taking on a quest solely for financial reasons.

“What about all of you?” My eyes swept over each of them in turn. “How did you get started in all of this?“ I waved my hand around the campsite, encompassing Beyan poking the fire with a stick, Rhyss sharpening his daggers, Farrah lounging against her pack, and our four horses tethered and placidly chewing on grass nearby.

Farrah shifted lazily. “When Beyan started his seeking trade, I went along with him. Partly to see the world, partly to make sure he came home in one piece.”

“Be honest,” Beyan grinned. “I was just your excuse. It was completely to see the world. Making sure I got back safely so you could go on future travels was just an advantage.”

“You said it, I didn’t,” Farrah teased back.

“After a while, the jobs started getting harder,” Beyan said.  He held up his left arm in the firelight and pulled back his sleeve. A nasty slash of a scar ran from his wrist to his elbow. “Nearly didn’t make it back from this one.”

“I remember that,” Farrah said, a faraway look in her eyes. “It took all I had to heal you, I’ve never been so drained. As it was, I couldn’t completely heal you. I worried that we would have to amputate.”

“So naturally they asked me to come along and help,” Rhyss said.

“You begged us,” Beyan and Farrah said together, then laughed. Rhyss and I joined in.

“It sounds like between the three of you, I’m in safe, capable hands,” I said. “I’m glad I have nothing to fear. From any dragon.”

Beyan, who had been smiling just moments ago, dropped his stick into the fire and abruptly stood up. “I’m going to find more wood for the fire,” he said, and disappeared into the trees surrounding us.

I looked at Farrah and Rhyss. “Did I say something to offend Beyan?” I asked.

Rhyss seemed to be concentrating extra hard on sharpening his weapons, which, to me, already looked pretty sharp. Farrah heaved a deep sigh and shifted her weight again.

“He’ll be okay,” she told me. “Beyan is a very experienced seeker. It runs in his blood, and his father Kye was one of the best. Beyan would never admit it, but this particular commission has him worried.”

“But why, though?” I asked. “If Beyan has done so much already, this is just another routine job.”

Neither Rhyss or Farrah said anything, or would even look at me.

“Isn’t it?” I whispered.

“You’ve met Kye, right?” Farrah asked. I nodded. “So you know he had to retire from seeking because of an injury.”

“Kye mentioned that,” I said.

“When Kye got injured, Beyan was only about four or five years old,” Farrah explained. “While many seekers train