Read Ashborne (The Ashborne Trilogy: Book 1) for Free Online Page B

mine. Inside the large
bowl was some type of brown, potato stew and it tasted even better
than it smelled. I must have been hungrier than I thought, because
if only for a moment, as I indulged myself, I completely forgot
about the awkward moment that had just occurred, the pain in my
leg, and the fact that I was at the mercy of a Shadowbark Raider I
barely knew.
    “ There's more if you'd
like,” he chuckled, seemingly pleased that I was enjoying it as
much as I was as I shoveled it into my mouth like a man. I didn’t
care; I was starved.
    I finished my meal and smiled, a
little embarrassed at my own gluttonous behavior. Full and content,
I laid my head back in bed while resting the empty bowl and flask
in my lap.
    “ Thank you,” I said,
smiling and turning my head toward him.
    “ I'm glad you like my
cooking.”
    “ No, I mean, thank you for
saving me. And Gentry. For everything.” I said as I began to get
lost in his eyes again.
    He just smiled back at me.
    “ But, I don't understand,
if you're a raider, why save me?”
    “ I may be one of the
Shadowbark, but we're not killers. We're not like the Kaliborians,”
he said, looking a little insulted by what I was accidentally
insinuating. “They're savages. We try to keep to ourselves here,
but when they attack us, or helpless people in nearby villages, we
do what we can.”
    “ No. I- I'm sorry. I
didn't mean-” I stumbled poorly over an apology before being
interrupted by a dark-haired man who was now leaning through the
tent's entrance.
    “ Emoren,” the man said
sternly, beckoning him over.
    “ Don't be rude, Belafor.
Come in and say hello to the Princess of Ashborne,” Emoren
responded as he signaled the visitor to enter.
    Not fully recalling the events at the
pass, I had hoped he didn't realize who I was. Hearing him say my
title out loud sent an uncomfortable chill up my spine. Even though
I didn't seem to be in danger, I would have felt better had he not
recognized me.
    Belafor reluctantly took a few steps
inside the large tent and stood in the center of the room. He stood
up straight – much like a soldier. He was much older than Emoren
and I. His thinning jet black hair, strong build, and mercenary
swagger reminded me of Gentry.
    “ M'lady,” he said, bowing
his head as he eyed me with a look of worried disapproval before
turning back to Emoren.
    “ Princess, Belafor.
Belafor, Princess Amber.” Emoren said politely, extending his hand
as he introduced us.
    Emoren was surprisingly well-mannered
for someone who appeared to have lived in the woods his whole life.
He had a calm, confident disposition, and hearing him interact with
Belafor and myself, he seemed almost regal.
    “ Emoren, a word.”
Belafor's tone matched the serious expression he was
wearing.
    “ Hmm. Wait for me outside.
I'll be right there,” Emoren said, realizing that Belafor was not
in the mood to be sociable.
    Belafor gave me one more disapproving
glance as he turned and left the tent. I suddenly started feeling
as though I must be an unwelcome burden on this unfamiliar
pair.
    “ I don't think he likes me
very much.”
    “ Don't mind him. Despite
his tough exterior, he's a good man. He's saved my life many
times,” Emoren said as he continued gazing toward the exit Belafor
had just used, his mind obviously recalling the events he was
referring to.
    “ Is he your
father?”
    “ He might as well be.”
Emoren began going through a leather pouch that was under the bed
he was sitting on. “We've been together for as long as I can
remember. He's raised me as his own.”
    Hearing him say that made me realize
why Belafor must have reminded me of Gentry. It seemed Emoren and I
had something in common – both being raised by fathers that were
not our own.
    “ Ah. Here it is!” he said,
pulling a glowing green vial from his pouch and waving it at
me.
    “ Here's what?”
    He took a step forward and handed the
vial to me before touching my shoulder, signaling me to lean up a
bit