Read Into the Dark Lands for Free Online

Grandfather had allowed their request, with the provision that he come to check in on her in the evenings.
    Evening was still hours off.
    Her head turned to look at the smooth market path, and she dug deep into her pockets before giving a little sigh; there were coins there.
    Her mother had gone with the warriors to the front.
    She couldn’t follow; no one would allow that. And she’d been excused from class for the day to attend the ceremony.
    Her mother was gone.
    Shaking her head to clear her eyes, she began to march down the path, keeping her eyes on it. Her fists were clenched in her student robe so no one could see them. Even if she had seen only ten summers, she was still of the lines, and war was the way of life. She wasn’t going to embarrass her mother by crying.
    The flags were flying in the circle; she searched their colored triangles until she caught sight of the brown and green of Katalaan the baker.
    Katalaan had been part of the market circle for as long as Erin
could remember; longer, as she’d come to Elliath on merchant caravans years before Erin’s birthing. She was a short, plump woman whose hair had grown grayer as the seasons passed. Sight of her, covered nearly from head to toe in the colors she’d chosen, was always welcome, especially to the children of the village, whether Lernari or not.
    Erin wanted to see the old woman now, even if the pastries had already been sold or given away. She began to hurry, hiking the folds of her robe well over her knees.
    The market square was almost empty, as the remaining shoppers packed up their purchases and made their way to their various homes. Erin drew a deep breath and looked up at the flagpoles to see that Katalaan’s still flew full mast. They hadn’t packed up yet; there was still time.
    She followed the perimeter of the circle until she hit its northern edge. There she stopped, her hands touching the counter of the baker’s stall.
    Korfel came out from the back, holding a towel that looked as if it needed several good poundings. He worked with Katalaan, as he had done for years, yet he still wore initiate’s gray and silver. No greens and browns for a warrior, not even if that warrior had retired.
    â€œErin,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “What brings you here?”
    â€œI’ve come to see Katalaan.”
    â€œClass is out early today.” He stopped for a moment, and his eyes narrowed. “Today was the day the warriors left for the front.”
    She nodded.
    â€œDid Kerlinda leave with them after all?”
    She nodded again, bowing her head. It wasn’t Korfel that she wanted to see.
    â€œErin.” He leaned over the counter, carefully balancing himself. “You understand about the warrior’s duty?”
    â€œY-yes.” She looked at her feet. “Is Kat gone for the day?”
    â€œNot quite.” Korfel reached out to touch her chin. “But don’t change the subject, Erin.”
    She wanted to tell him that he was the one who was changing it, but years of respect held her tongue. That and the knowledge that he was many years adult, and had done all he could in the Bright Heart’s name to combat the Darkness.
    â€œEveryone’s parents must go to the front, sooner or later. The war is important, if all of this—” Here he swept one sturdy
hand to encompass the market circle. “—is to continue. Do you understand?”
    Yes, she understood. Hadn’t her mother left?
    â€œWe have to be strong, Erin, we of the lines. We have to be stronger than any other mortals. Let’s keep the tears to ourselves, shall we? I know it isn’t easy, but we have to keep a good face to let those we defend know that the war goes well for the Light.”
    It was easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one who was crying. Mortified, Erin nodded and turned blindly away from the refuge of Katalaan’s stall.
    â€œThat’s the most