Read Into the Dark Lands for Free Online Page B

doing?”

    â€œPardon?”
    â€œLeaving young Erin to live on her own, without even another Lernari for company?”
    â€œErin?” His blue eyes widened then. “Ah, Erin.”
    â€œShe didn’t lose her father that long ago, and her mother’s gone the same route. Where is your brain?”
    â€œKatalaan, she isn’t just a village child, she’s—”
    â€œShe’s still a child, even if she’s of the lines.”
    â€œShe’s not your concern. Her mother and I have arranged for her care between us.” Serdon’s words had grown distinctly more clipped.
    â€œIs that what you call it?”
    Swords could not have been as sharp as the glare that passed between them.
    â€œVery well, Kat.” The Grandfather’s voice said no such thing. “What would you have us do? The child wishes to remain at home. She approaches her adulthood quickly; we cannot just disregard her wishes.”
    The baker’s snort told him what she thought of that.
    â€œEnough, Kat. If you have a better idea, I’d be pleased to hear it. If you don’t, I have pressing matters here that require my attention.”
    â€œAll right then.” Katalaan headed toward the door. “I’ll stay with her.”
    â€œPardon?”
    â€œYou want her to stay with the line, and the line lives in the northern village. I live in the southern village, so she can’t stay with me.” She stopped, framed by the door. “I’ll move in.”
    Â 
    â€œYou’re going to live with me ?”
    â€œIf you’ll have me.” Katalaan looked at the open sky that the cloister walls framed. “I’ve been living on my own these past few years, since Gerris died. I’d be happy for company.”
    Erin bit her lip, not sure of what to say.
    â€œI asked the Grandfather, dear, if that’s what’s worrying you.”
    â€œOh. ” The wrinkles in her forehead deepened for a moment. “What did he say?”
    Trust her to ask. Katalaan smiled. “He said if I’d a good idea, I was welcome to it.”
    â€œSo he thinks it’s a good idea?” She smiled almost shyly and looked at the crimson splash of sun. “Then we’d better go; dinner’s really late.”

    Katalaan took her hand firmly. “Yes, we had. You’ll have to lead the way from here.”
    Erin smiled. “There’s not much to eat. But we—I have plenty of room.”
    Â 
    â€œChildren!” The word slammed into the four stone walls of the east courtyard. Telvar frowned in disgust as Kredan limped out of the drill circle. “All of you!” He drove the point of wooden sword into the packed dirt. Erin was surprised it didn’t splinter even though the ground was “soft” in the lesson area. “Time and again you forget yourselves. You let words interfere with your abilities!” Not that he thought much of the ability, either.
    Kredan was in tears. His left leg pained him; he knew well from his two years with Telvar that it would already be purple and swollen. He felt the sympathy of his classmates as he bowed his head under the open blue of the sky.
    â€œWell? What do you have to say for yourself?”
    Kredan said nothing. The sting of Telvar’s tongue was legendary—it hurt more than any injury the weaponsmaster might inflict.
    Today he was worse than usual. Everyone knew why. He had spent the last three days standing honor guard at the ceremonies of departure.
    He wants to be out on the front, but he’s too valuable here. He may be the best warrior, but he’s also the best weaponsmaster.
    Erin grimaced; she bore her own set of bruises from the day’s exercise, and Telvar’s grim fury showed no sign of abating. She smiled wryly; compared to Telvar, the enemy was going to be utter joy and ease.
    â€œYou! Is there something amusing about this?”
    Bright Heart, Erin