Read The Hordes of Chanakra (Knights of Aerioch) for Free Online Page B

strikes on him.  They bruised and raised welts, but no more than that.  And when she had given blows against more vulnerable targets, such as neck or head, a much lighter touch.
    After some minutes of walking, they reached the inn.  Shillond ambled up to them.
    "You seem in good spirits, father," Kaila said. "I trust all went well?"
    "'Father' is it?" Shillond smiled. "My, my, my.  It is not often you call me that."
    "Shillond!" Kaila said, her voice pleading. "The treaty?"
    "Oh, as to that." Shillond winked at Kreg before turning back to Kaila. "The Lord Mayor was right glad to come under the protection of Aerioch's armies.  It seems that Schah has made a number of threats of late.  Why Schah would threaten even a free city such as Trevanta, I do not know, but it seems that they intend to replace the Empire of Shend with the Empire of Schah.  In return for our protection, our trade will pass through at a quite favorable taxation rate and Trevanta will pay a tribute amounting to eight thousand gold norbeni annually.  In truth, I think they welcome our shipping more than our armies, for where our ships go, others will follow.  I think they would have welcomed us had we come to annex Trevanta, but that would have been more trouble than it's worth.  All in all, it has gone well.  In fact, as everything has been concluded, we may return home on the morrow."
    Shillond's words, about threats of war from Schah, reminded Kreg of something, but the aching in his head drove the thought away.
    "These are glad tidings!" Kaila clapped her hands. "Too long have we been away."
    "And you, Kreg?" Shillond turned toward him. "You will come with us, of course?"
    "I wouldn't miss it for the world," Kreg said and then grinned. "Either one."

CHAPTER THREE
    Kreg, Kaila, and Shillond left Trevanta late the next morning.  They spent the early hours loading the pack animals and finding a horse for Kreg.  The horse, and provisions for the journey which would take a month, expended the last of Kreg's funds.  When Kreg had asked about the amount they had been able to buy, Shillond had said that Trevanta so starved for coin that even small amounts could purchase a great deal.  Even so, Kreg suspected that they had added to his funds from their own.
    When Shillond suggested that Kreg give Kaila charge of his money and allow her to select the horse and conduct the bargaining, Kreg happily complied.  As she paid the proprietor of the stable Kreg examined her selection.
    The horse was the biggest Kreg had ever seen, not that he had seen many up close.  None, actually, except the nomads' small ponies.  Kaila had said it stood about sixteen hands high at the shoulder and had measured out the width of her own palm to show him what a hand was.  The horse's shoulder came to just under Kreg's chin when he stood next to it.  A blaze of light gray on the forehead and white socks on the forelegs gleamed against its black coat.  The horse's heavy hindquarters and broad chest made it look powerful even to Kreg's untrained eye and he guessed that it weighed nearly a ton.
    “What were you thinking, child?” Shillond asked Kaila upon seeing the horse she had chosen. “We are crossing the desert and you bring this monster?”
    “Spells you know well,” she said, “but of horseflesh you know scarce more than Kreg.  Despite its size, this horse is bred to dry climes and its size would suit one of Kreg’s stature far better than would one of the mountain ponies you prefer.”
    “And how do you propose to keep that bulk fed on what the animals can carry?”
    “Fear not, mage, for this horse is an easy keeper and will thrive on less food and drink than you might imagine.  And no fool I, I chose the smallest of the type in the corral.  He will serve us well, methinks.”
    “All right.  If you say so.” Shillond shrugged and mounted his horse.
    From where she sat on hers, Kaila extended a hand downward to help Kreg onto his.  They rode through