Read Silent Kingdom for Free Online

closer. Glancing up at the branch stretching over my head, I felt adrenaline fire through my body, giving me another round of strength. I leapt, catching hold of the branch and swinging my body higher, higher, until my muscles strained, ready to give out under my weight, and I managed to slip one leg over the limb. Beneath the nightgown, my bare legs scraped against the rough bark as I straddled the branch. I clung to a crevice in the trunk and pulled myself to my feet. Stretching on tiptoes, I found I could reach the next branch.
    Twigs snagged at my gown and cloak, but I tore the fabric away and kept going. The branches grew thinner until they began to shake beneath my weight, and still I pressed onward. I wasn’t satisfied until I found a perch tucked safely against the trunk, secured by three branches that gave me enough support and space to sit with my back against the tree and my feet tucked up beneath me. From here, I could see the tops of the smaller trees surrounding me. Though most of the tree branches were bare, anyone scanning the trees from below would still have trouble finding me in my perch. I pulled my knees to my chest and willed myself to be smaller, pressing close against the branches and letting them shield me. Then I held my breath as I listened to the approaching footsteps. The men were jogging, moving quickly in their pursuit, yet slowly enough to scour the forest.
    Giver of Protection, hide me safely in Your arms… The words from the old song the palace priest recited, or at least the closest translation we had of it, flew into my mind and became my prayer.
    “There is no way she is here, in these woods,” one of the guards panted. “We should head back now.”
    “I wanted to be sure. That couple seemed to be hiding something, and I was certain I saw a figure in the woods. Besides, if I show my dedication, perhaps the king will retract his decision to name a boy Captain of the Guard.”
    The footsteps were right below me now. I held my breath.
    “You probably saw an animal.” The first guard stopped and forced authority into his tone. “And you would do well not to speak ill of our captain, who we both know has proven his skill, or I will report you. Let’s go back.”
    “Aren’t you a brave member of the guard?” the second man sneered. “Or shall I report you as a slovenly coward?”
    My foot slipped, dislodging a loose patch of bark. I bit my lip; the noise seemed amplified in the quiet of the nighttime forest.
    The second guard’s posture changed, his puffed-up chest and swaggering confidence morphing into a shrinking look as he reached for his sword hilt. “Wait…did you hear that?”
    “It was probably a squirrel. Come, if you’re in such a hurry to report back to Narek and impress him with our search of Evren Forest, then follow me!”
    The footsteps retreated and relief eased its way through my limbs. I relaxed out of my cramped huddle and, once I felt the guards were a safe distance away, began my descent. Several times I slipped and my weary, trembling limbs almost couldn’t support me anymore. I hit the ground panting and exhausted, but my desire to put space between the guards and me overpowered every other feeling. I burst into a run, forming a meandering trail through the underbrush.
    Seconds turned into minutes. My cheeks burned in the cold and my lungs ached. I kicked up dead leaves and twigs and tripped more than once. The cloak grew hot, clinging to my arms and hanging heavy against my body. As it dragged behind, it caught in the branches littering the ground and snagged until it tore and sent me sprawling on my face. My chest heaved; I coughed and gasped for air.
    I struggled to my feet and slipped the cloak off, draping it over my shoulder. Shaking and struggling to catch my breath, I stood motionless, straining my ears for any sounds of pursuit. Wind shuddered through the trees and stirred dead leaves across the ground. A squirrel scampered out from between two