Read Outcasts of Velrune for Free Online

hair on his head. Max could only imagine the foals he and Starlight might have because the two would not have anything to do with one another.
    Tyco gripped Teak’s reins. “Well, are we ready then?”
    Max’s gaze wandered up the street. “Yeah, I guess so.”
    Tyco, impatient, chided him. “Then you might want to try getting on the horse. We’ll move quicker that way.”
    “Yeah, okay.”
    Max mounted Starlight and moved her beside the other two. They faced out towards the open countryside. The morning dew sparkled in the sunlight, but Max sat unaware of its beauty.
    “I thought she would at least come and say goodbye.”
    Tyco nodded his head. “Good. It’s just as well that she didn’t.”
    Max looked oddly at Tyco. “What do you mean by that?”
    “You’ll see soon enough. Besides, it’s time we got moving.”
    Tyco nudged Teak with his heels.
    “But…”
    Mr. Penna smiled. “Do not worry about it, Maxwell. Tyco likes things neat and orderly. We both know that is not exactly Evangeline’s style.”
    Mr. Penna followed Tyco. Max didn’t feel that’s what Tyco meant, but he wasn’t going to contradict Mr. Penna. Instead he leaned forward in the saddle, preparing to follow the others, when he heard someone call his name from behind. Turning, he saw Eve running up the street towards them.
    “Hey, Maxy! Wait up!”
    Max turned Starlight around, a smile forming on his lips as he also saw Mrs. Tassi running a good distance behind Eve. Max laughed at the sight. He had yet to meet anyone who could keep up with Eve when she was in a hurry. Eve reached Max in no time, not even winded by the run.
    “What’s the big idea, trying to leave before I could get here?”
    Max felt a little ashamed that he had thought she wouldn’t come and say goodbye. “I thought you might have had more important things to do than to see me off.”
    Eve grinned slyly. “You bet I did, but then I figured as helpless as you are there was no telling whether you’d ever make it back alive or not. So, I figured I had better get my last goodbye in while I had a chance.”
    Tyco and Mr. Penna had heard the commotion and came up behind Max. Mr. Penna nodded at the bedroll and backpack Eve had slung behind her.
    “Good morning, Miss Evangeline. I see you have decided to come along with us after all.”
    “Yep!”
    Max had not expected that. He had missed the backpack when she arrived. He only knew that last night she certainly did not want to go. Now he was confused, which happened a lot around Eve.
    “I thought you only came to see us off.”
    Eve swung the backpack down to the ground. “You really aren’t very observant, are you? Worse yet, it’s not even dark this time.”
    Max’s face flushed red. “Now wait…” but before he could finish Mrs. Tassi arrived, somewhat out of breath. Tyco used the opening to speak.
    “I’m glad you could make it in time to say goodbye, Evangeline. Unfortunately, I’m sorry to say, you won’t be able to go with us since the only horses Hektor has left need to stay here for the villagers.”
    Eve shrugged, unconcerned. “That’s okay, Tyco. I can walk.”
    Tyco snorted. “Walk! It’s over a week’s time, even by horseback, to the capital.”
    Eve got annoyed. “Unless you plan on riding full out the whole way, I’ll have no trouble keeping up.”
    Mr. Penna broke in before things could go further. “I’m sure you can, Evangeline. Besides, you can ride with Maxwell for at least part of the trip. Starlight will hardly notice the difference.”
    Eve perked back up. “That sounds great, Mr. Penna.” Eve narrowed her eyes at Max. “At least someone doesn’t think I weigh too much.”
    Max threw his arms up. “You were crouched on my chest!”
    Having finally caught her breath, Mrs. Tassi said. “Well, now that that’s settled, you’d best be on your way.”
    Behind them Tyco turned Teak back around and start off again, but not before Max saw the agitation in his face. He