Read The New Guard (Crossroads Book 1) for Free Online Page A

you all again. We must have more allies before then.
Please, let us go.”
    Rebekah
nodded, set the Fox down, and they set off down the road once more.
    *
    The
Second Kingdom is comprised primarily of wooded lands hosting a wide assortment
of firs and deciduous trees. As Rebekah walked along a junction of the Northern
Road she was kept in cool shade by the tall giants. Had she arrived in the
Second Kingdom ten to twenty miles to the east or west, she would have appeared
in large orchards of hearty fruit and nut trees. These crops and wood are the
primary resource that the Second Kingdom has to offer the other eleven
kingdoms.
    Over the
next two and a half hours Rebekah walked among the grand trees towering over
the roadway. As she walked, the Fox followed behind her and the Owl flew above
and before her. The road was devoid of people. Through the woods were filled
with the sounds of animals, Rebekah never saw any. Every now and then she would
see a small trail lead off from the main road and wind into the deep forest.
There were even times that she smelled wood smoke or heard the distant sound of
axes hitting wood, but there was no visible sign of human life. The solitude
gave Rebekah abundant opportunities to talk to and learn from the Owl.
    They
talked further of the twelve created races, only eleven of which were to be
found in the Crossroads. The Owl was free with information about them and how
they made up the twelve kingdoms of the Way World. Rebekah was amazed to learn
that nothing here was native. Everything had been transplanted in one way or
another from the worlds which connected to the Here Between.
    By the
time the sun was arching toward late afternoon, Rebekah became aware of the
trees thinning and becoming smaller. Within ten minutes the road broke free of
the forest and became surrounded by tall grassy meadows. Once free of the
trees, Rebekah saw her first sign of Haven. A large spire broke from the
horizon and gleamed in the light of the sun. As she moved closer, the spire
seemed to grow in height and the light hitting it fractured, creating small
dancing rainbows all about the structure. Rebekah was so captivated by the
complex beauty of the spire that she did not notice the Owl’s change of flight
pattern so that it was gliding beside her.
    “It is
the Spire of Heavenly Glory. The local artisans refined crystals and other
minerals that reflect and refract the light of the sun. All throughout the day,
a third material absorbs light so that even at night it glows brightly. Only
during periods of long rain, cloudiness, and during the longest winter nights,
does its radiance fail. It is during these times the warriors of Haven become
most vigilant.”
    “It’s
wonderful! I never knew something like this was possible.”
    “With God
all things are possible. It took generations to create and has stood sentinel
for hundreds of years. We will find you sanctuary at the base of the spire.”
    “The
spire is part of a church?”
    “Yes, it
is the church’s property used for worship, a mission base, and a house of
sanctuary.” Before Rebekah could comment or ask more the Owl spoke again.
“Come; we are almost there and the day is coming to an end.”
    The rest
of the trip into Haven was uneventful. As Rebekah got closer more rooftops
became visible, but the spire towered over them all. Soon, Rebekah saw that the
town of Haven was surrounded by a formidable wall at least eighteen feet high
and half as thick. The ground close to the wall was cleared of any trees or the
sprawling meadow she was currently walking through. Rebekah could see sentries
roaming the wall top, and ahead of her two of them were guarding a massive
gate.
    Unsure of
the protocol of entering so heavily fortified a town and receiving no
instruction from the Owl, Rebekah stopped in front of the guards. The Fox sat
next to her and the Owl soared overhead. Rebekah stated her name and requested
sanctuary at the temple. The two guards studied her