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

We had reached another part of the market. Up ahead, I saw Beyan walking around, laden with new supplies for our group. I started walking faster, hoping to catch up to him. As if he knew I was following, Beyan turned and saw me. Our eyes met across the crowded market, and he nodded at me and started making his way toward me. Waving back in acknowledgment, I was just about to call his name when a tall shadow fell between us.

A horse nickered a few feet in front of me. Astride it was one of the Calian plain-clothes soldiers.

I abruptly checked my pace and instantly shrank back into the shadows. My new friend Pazho, who had been trying to keep up with me, nearly plowed into my back. He instantly caught my apprehension, but didn’t say anything. Instead, his eyes narrowed as he observed me, then the lone rider.

Fortunately, the man was looking the opposite way and didn’t notice me. But he did catch sight of Beyan, whose clothing and general look marked him as a foreigner to Annlyn. And when the soldier had cut off Beyan’s path, Beyan had almost been trampled and had to rapidly juggle his purchases before he dropped something.

Beyan scowled. The rider didn’t apologize. “You there.” He addressed Beyan imperiously in a voice that carried across the marketplace. “You’re not from here, are you?”

“What’s it to you?” Beyan responded warily.

“I am looking for someone,” the rider said, ignoring Beyan’s tone. “A woman, nineteen years old, dark hair and eyes. Perhaps you’ve seen her on your travels? She’s from Calia, like me, so if you talk to her we should sound similar.”

“Why are you looking for this woman? What has she done?” Beyan asked. Their voices weren’t particularly loud, yet somehow I was attuned to every word they exchanged.

“She is wanted in Calia, as she has stolen something from King Hendon. A gold necklace, with a milky white stone hanging from the chain. I have orders to bring her, and the item she has taken, back to the king as soon as she can be found.”

The rider looked at Beyan, assessing. Temptingly, he added, “There is a very handsome reward for the person who knows her whereabouts.”

Across the distance, Beyan’s eyes locked on mine. I held my breath, afraid that he would give me away.

But then Beyan’s gaze softened and his eyes continued to sweep the marketplace. He was so fast, most people would not have caught his momentary pause. I relaxed, only a little, hoping that Beyan’s actions had drawn the rider’s attention from where I was standing just a few feet away.

“I’ve met no one by that description, sir,” Beyan told the rider. His tone was perfect: just the right touch of firmness and humility. The soldier inclined his head toward Beyan and turned his horse’s head toward another part of the market.

“I must continue my search,” the soldier said. “But if you see or hear of anything... remember the reward.” He kicked his horse into motion, and they trotted away.

Once the soldier was out of sight, I stepped out of the shadows as Beyan walked over to me.

“What was that about?” he asked. “Why are there Calian soldiers looking for you?”

“It’s hard to explain. But I didn’t steal anything. The necklace was given to me by one who had the right to give it. If anything, King Hendon is the thief. I was told he stole it from its rightful owner, and it is my duty to bring it back.”

“Who is the true owner?”

What could I say that wasn’t an outright lie? I hated keeping secrets from the ones I counted as friends.

“A man, who lives somewhere in this area,” I finally said. It wasn’t the complete truth, but it was close enough.

Beyan opened his mouth to question me further, but I cut him off.

“Thank you,” I said. “For not giving me away. For... a lot of things. Thank you.”

Beyan shut his mouth, obviously changing his mind about what he was going to say. “We don’t betray our own,” he grinned at me. I smiled back.

Pazho stepped forward. Glancing from me to Beyan, he greeted Beyan with the same hands-out-palms-up gesture he had given me. “Hello, traveler. I am Pazho. You are a friend to this young woman?”

Beyan repeated Pazho’s gesture. “My name is Beyan. Yes.”

“I met Pazho in the marketplace after we all split up,” I explained. “He’s been explaining the history of the kingdom of Annlyn to me.”

“That sounds fascinating,” Beyan said sincerely. “I’ve only been in Annlyn once, when I was a child. I don’t know much about the kingdom, and never had a chance to learn.”

“We are such a remote kingdom that we tend to remain a mystery to the rest of the Gifted Lands,” Pazho said. “Which, honestly, is the way we like it. But you and your friend Allayne seem to have an interesting story of your own, one which I would enjoy learning.”

Beyan hesitated. “I don’t think — ”

“Are there more of you? Where are you staying?”

“We haven’t secured rooms yet for the night,” I said. “I don’t think so, anyway?” Beyan shook his head, confirming my guess. “There’s four of us total.”

“Oh, then you must stay at the Red Antler Inn,” Pazho said. “It is run by my mate, Denaan, and has the best food in all of Annlyn. You shall stay for free, in exchange for satisfying my curiosity.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“That’s extremely generous of you,” Beyan said. “But may I have a moment with my friend?”

“Of course,” Pazho said. He pinned Beyan with a suddenly serious look. “I know you are wary, as is wise. But you have nothing to fear from me. I know what you seek, and I know how to help you.” He walked away from us and into the marketplace, looking over some of the wares on display.

After he left, Beyan turned on me. “Did you tell him