Read Stones of Power 01 - Ghost King for Free Online Page B

to react, you hold his neck in yours.' Thuro smiled, 'That would be kind.' Culain's eyebrows rose. 'Hold out your hand.' Thuro did so and the warrior tipped salt from the shaker directly on to the wound. It stung like needles of fire. 'That should suffice,' said Culain. 'Now I would like you to do me a service.'
    'I owe you nothing. I have paid for my breakfast.'
    'Indeed you have, but I would like you to carry a message to Laitha. I don't suppose you would want to leave without wishing her goodbye?'
    'Very well. Where is she?' 'She and I built a cabin, higher in the peaks. She likes the solitude.
    Go to her and tell her I would appreciate her company this evening.' 'Is that all?' 'Yes.'
    "Then I shall bid you farewell, Culain lach Feragh - whatever that title may mean - and thank you for your awesome hospitality.'
    'I think you should delay your departure - at least until you know where to find Laitha.' 'Then be so kind as to tell me.' Culain gave him simple directions and Thuro left without another word. The morning was bright and chill without a trace of breeze, and he wandered through the bleak winter landscape for over an hour before coming to the path Culain had indicated, marked by a fallen tree. He turned to the right and continued the climb, stopping often to rest. It was almost dusk when the exhausted prince came to Laitha's small cabin. She helped him inside and he sat slumped before a log-fire for several minutes, gathering his breath.
    'I thought I would die out there,' he said at last.
    She sat beside him. 'Climb out of those wet clothes and get warm.'
    'It is not fitting,' he replied, hoping she would offer an argument. She did not.
    ‘I’ll fetch you something to eat. Some bread and cheese, perhaps?'
    'That would be wonderful. I haven't been this hungry since ... I can't remember.'
    'It's a long haul to my home. Why did you come?' She offered him some dark bread and a round of white cheese.
    'Culain asked me to give you a message. He said he wanted your company this evening.'
    'How strange.'
    'The man is strange, and quite the most discourteous individual I have ever met.'
    'Well, I think it best you gather your strength and feed a little warmth into your body before we head back.'
    'I shall not be going back. I have said my farewells,' Thuro told her.
    'You must go back. It is the only way off the mountain and it will be well after dark before we reach his cabin. You'll have to spend at least one more night there.'
    'Can I not stay here? With you?'
    'As you said, Prince Thuro, that would not be fitting.'
    'He knew that,' said Thuro. 'He knew I would be trapped here. What evil game is he playing?'
    'I think you presume too much,' she snapped. 'You are speaking of a friend of mine - the greatest friend anyone could ever have. Perhaps Culain does not like spoiled young princelings. But he saved your life, as he saved mine ten years ago - at no small risk to himself. Did he ask you for payment for that, Thuro?'
    Instinctively he reached out and touched her hand. She withdrew it as if stung. 'I am sorry,' he said. 'I did not mean to offend you. North of the Wall, you are now the only friend I have. But even you said it was strange that he asked me to come here. Why was that?'
    'It does not matter. We should be going.'
    'But it does matter, Laitha. Let me hazard a guess. You were surprised because you were going to him anyway. Is that not true?'
    'Perhaps. Or perhaps he forgot.'
    'He does not strike me as a forgetful man. He knew I would be forced back to his cabin.'
    'Ask him when you see him,' she countered, donning a heavy sheepskin jerkin and opening the door of the cabin. Outside, a heavy snowfall was in progress and the wind was picking up alarmingly.
    With a curse Thuro had last heard from a soldier, she slammed the door. 'We cannot leave now,' she said. 'You'll have to stay the night.' Thuro's mood brightened considerably.
    Just then the door opened and Culain stepped inside, pausing to brush a dusting of