Read The Exodus Sagas: Book IV - Of Moons and Myth for Free Online Page A

of respect. I lost my parents too you know, yet they are out there, somewhere. ” Shinayne looked out to the sky, the open hills of Shanador, to the mountains to the east.
    “I know, I guess yer r ight. I just, I just..ummm….”
    She walked up to Zen and put her hand on his shoulder. Her aquamarine eyes stared into his. “I know, men confess to men, women to women. I am no priestess, and Siril is far from who the two of you pray to. But , do not think for a moment that I am not there with you, all the way , like I promised.”
    “Thank ye’ Shinayne. I know it, I do. Where are the others?”
    “What, you think they waited to eat? No, it is always the elf that has to find, to hunt down the men, to rescue everyone , and to sneak about.” Shinayne turned to lead the men to breakfast. Her golden curls were reflecting the sun along with her radiant tan skin .
    The gray stone stairs were long leading down from the high rising Temple of the Holy Offering, giving a view of all of Evermont. Tall domed buildings, bridges from stretching castles to mountain ridges and walls , and the lowland farmsteads that grew to the north farther than the eye could see. Walls and outposts carried early morning Shanadorian guards between their posts hundreds of feet over the ground. Red cliffs rose to the east and south from the perilous Misathi. Lush green hills melded into the rising sun to the wes t, the west that the three companions stared at as they walked back down to their common room in Evermont Castle .
    T he shan wearing guards in plate and chain armor bowed their helmed heads and gripped their spears to attention. Shinayne nodded, followed by Zen and James as they passed through the open door from the elevated catwalk into their guest quarters. The rooms and stay at Castle Evermont had been a week of rest and pleasure, nothing short. Peace, food, safety, and long deserved sleep had been needed and delivered by the bold knights of the kingdom of the stallion and shield .
    It was noisy inside, much more than when the highborne woman had left. In fact, the room was now full.
    “Lady Shinayne, Lord Thalanaxe, Sir James of the falcon, please, your food is anxious to be devoured before our long journey.” Sir Jardayne stood and bowed, motioning them to sit in the cluttered room full of people big and small.
    Zen held his breath, looking around at the fifteen Shans o’ Little Door, five knights of Evermont, barely finding Gwenneth and Saberrak in the muddle of company.
    “ Our , long journey sir?” Zen faked a smile, his mind was racing.
    “Well yes my stout friend, we have decided to give you and yours a royal escort. Well, royal in as much that we would dare with low king Symond in absence.” Jardayne of Highmont sat and popped a fresh strawberry into his mouth then beckoned with his hand for them to sit with the rest.
    “Is that so then, truly, uhhh…may I ask---“ Zen stuttered, staring at the minotaur and the wizard, wanting answers.
    “Oh come now, my bearded traveler, twill be most enjoyable. Who, other than great kings and wealthy rulers , should have the honor of we Shans o’ Little Door to play and accompany them in their travels?” Tubrey o’ Tarnobb spoke up from amidst his players small and stunted.
    “Well, and ummm … you as well …ahh that be wonderful then, I s’pose.” He sat, followed by the quiet elven noble and his knightly friend. His stare was now fierce into the tattooed eyes of Saberrak who was not looking back, just eating pork filets and fruits and ignoring most everything else. He stared at Gwenneth next, who sat beside the Bear of Evermont, Sir Codaius of Norninne. She shook her head at Zen, ever so slightly.
    “So, uhhh, where ye’ thinks we be headin’ then, I was unaware that---“
    “To reunite with your lost family of course, nothing more noble could I think of, you surprise me with your secrets and honor, Azenairk. I shall sing songs of your devotion from here to eastern Pellan,