The Path of Giants by B.T. Narro (best novels to read .txt) 📕

a single town in Lycast with people who are welcoming of girls in my condition. I would go so far as to say that most of the men I encountered wanted to take advantage of me when they found out I was traveling alone. I received some sympathy from women, until I had to show them my papers. Afterward, most of them treated me worse than the men did. My only hope was going back to a large city. Newhaven, Tryn, even Koluk—I could blend in there, but I figured the king’s guards would be looking for me in those places. There was nowhere for me to go because I’m never going back to Rohaer!” She made little balls of her fists. “You have no idea what I’ve been through!”

“I don’t care,” Kataleya said to my surprise, while I had sympathy for Hadley. “Are you going to be able to keep up with us or not?”

“I’m not sure,” Hadley said with plain contempt. “I’ve never ridden quickly before.”

“Look, witch. I need to speak to the king today and see that he sends men into the forest to look for the escaped traitors.”

“Are you sure they’re going through the forest?” I asked.

“I don’t imagine Endell sticking around. Soon he’ll be a wanted criminal across all of Lycast, with a large reward on his head.”

“Then you two ride ahead.” Hadley suggested.

Kataleya lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not leaving you alone until I can trust you. Just get on your horse and try again.”

Hadley looked at her animal nervously, but she did climb up.

It didn’t take long before she lost control again and fell off, her horse about a hundred yards off path.

Kataleya and I watched her slowly lead her horse to us.

“I think she’s doing this on purpose.” Kataleya said.

“Why would she?”

“I don’t know, but I have to get to the castle.”

“Go ahead. I’ll take her.”

“Are you sure?” Kataleya asked.

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“You trust her too much.”

“No, I’m cautious, Kat. Don’t you remember that I was the only one ready for Endell to turn on us? I’ll be ready for her if she tries something.”

“What if she is working with Valinox and the two of them kill you after I go?”

“Well, then I’ll be dead.”

We were quiet a moment. Hadley had almost ridden back to us.

“What do you want to do?” I asked Kataleya.

“I guess I trust you to keep yourself safe as well as keep an eye on her. But I really don’t trust her, Jon. You shouldn’t, either.”

“After what she did, she has a lot of work to do to regain my trust.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. Perhaps I might see you on the way back, if I decide to return for my father’s funeral tomorrow.”

She rode off without a goodbye.

Kataleya was not herself, her mind clearly scattered. It was understandable, but I hoped she recovered soon because I missed the old Kataleya.

Hadley seemed to be holding back a smile as she rode the rest of the way to me. “She’s leaving?” she asked joyfully.

“Yes. We’ll ride at your pace, but try to go as fast as you’re comfortable going.”

“I will.”

I was disappointed when, a bit later, that pace turned out to be just a little faster than a walk.

The path was a dirt trail splitting the grass. Hadley and I didn’t speak over the next couple of hours, until she eventually posed a question.

“Is that girl really going to be all right on her own?” Hadley asked.

“She can fend off any attacker with water or fire. Unless someone comes up behind her and stabs her in the back, which isn’t going to happen, yes, she will be fine.”

Another silence stretched on for the better part of an hour.

“Can I have my things back now?” Hadley asked.

I was a bit tired of carrying two bags on my back, but hers was small and light.

“Not yet. I’m going to let the king decide what to do about them.”

“And me?”

“We discussed this,” I reminded her. “I promised you are not going to be punished if what you say about yourself and your past curses is true.”

“I just wanted to make sure nothing had changed after I took the essence of that girl’s father.”

“I stick to my promises.”

“Good, so do I.”

“Her name is Kataleya,” I said, figuring Hadley already knew this. But it was the easiest way to get her to stop calling her “that girl.”

“All right.”

We fell silent again.

I was fine if we didn’t speak. There wasn’t much she could say that would convince me to let my guard down. I had to see how she would behave when it came time to face our enemies. I didn’t know exactly how close a witch would have to be to curse someone, but she would have to make herself useful if she wanted to stay out of the dungeon.

She might end up in the dungeon after all, I was beginning to realize.

It was hard to imagine what else the king would do with her if she refused to assist us in our cause. Dteria was illegal. I had not heard of an exception until now. It was only because we were desperate that the king had made one.

“How is Remi doing these days?” Hadley asked me. She seemed a lot more cheerful now that Kataleya was gone.

“How well do you know her?” I asked.

“Not very well. She mostly kept to herself, but I could tell she was hurting because of something someone did to her. That’s why I chose to offer my help.”

“I think she’s still hurting,” I said. “And she still does keep to herself.” I didn’t see the reason why I should have to keep anything from this witch. She would find out eventually. “She was almost killed by a traitor—someone she considered a close friend.”

“This Eden you and Kataleya mentioned.”

“Yes, Eden Ledell.”

“Oh, I think I know her. She was a barber.”

“That’s the one.”

“I also cut hair.”

“I see,” I answered indifferently.

She looked at me with disappointment. It seemed like Hadley was