Beyond the Boundary Stones (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 3) Read Online Free

up a time to meet. I’ll be delighted to—”
    He broke off as a commotion arose on the far side of the porch. People were staring out to sea and pointing. Excited voices rose, calling others to look. One voice sounded above the rest. “It’s the Verinna !”
    Nirel jerked around, her heart going cold. Beside her Vigorre matched her movement. His hand reached for hers. “It’s all right,” he murmured in her ear. “You have nothing to fear from the wizards. I’ll keep you safe.”
    He didn’t know the real reason the approach of the Matriarch’s ship set her trembling. She didn’t actually fear the wizards. But if Elder Davon’s plan had succeeded, no wizard would be aboard, and Ramunna and Tevenar would soon be plunged into war.
    Keeper Emirre turned to his wife. “The Matriarch will desire my presence when the ship docks. If it brings us wizards from across the sea, the Mother’s representative should be there to greet them.”
    Nirel knew Vigorre had passed along her false tale to his father, but if he harbored the doubts about the wizards her story had been designed to provoke, he gave no sign. He was reserved, though, not as enthusiastic as might be expected about the imminent return of powers that had been lost to Ramunna and all of Ravanetha for a thousand years.
    Nathenarre made a face. “They would choose to arrive now. I suppose Vigorre’s reception can be delayed a few hours.”
    Emirre turned to Vigorre. “Would you like to come with me?”
    Longing was plain on Vigorre’s face, but he shook his head. “Nirel can’t risk being seen.”
    “Of course. Take our carriage and escort her home. I expect her people will want to remain inconspicuous while the wizards are here.” He inclined his head to Nirel and extended an arm to Nathenarre. “Come, dear.”
    She took his arm and they swept down the broad stairs toward the road that led to the docks. Several other Keepers fell in with them.
    Vigorre turned to Yoran, who studied the approaching ship. “Excuse me, Keeper. I’ll be in touch to set up that meeting.”
    Yoran tore his eyes away from the ship for a moment. “Good. It’s more important now than ever.”
    Vigorre’s face was grim. “Yes.” He turned away and urged Nirel toward the doors of the Temple. “The carriage is waiting out back.”
    Nirel resisted. Elder Davon needed to know as soon as possible whether or not a wizard had arrived. “Wait. You’re right; I can’t let a wizard see me, but I need to find out if one’s come. Ozor will want to know.”
    He frowned but let her pull him toward the stairs. “Are you sure? It seems awfully risky. Let me take you home, and I’ll bring word as soon as I find out.”
    She shook her head. “I can’t wait that long. Is there somewhere we can watch the docks without being seen?”
    “Maybe the park. It will be packed with people trying to catch a glimpse of the wizards.” He was still reluctant, but she knew he must want to watch the ship dock almost as much as she did.
    “That sounds perfect. Come on.”
    The threaded their way hand in hand through the crowds surging toward the harbor. Vigorre’s Keeper robe received respectful deference when it was noticed. Nirel took advantage of it to win them a place against the railing that rimmed the park, at the top of a sharp rocky drop to the water. They had a clear view of the dock, but she’d be only one among a sea of faces to anyone on the ship.
    She leaned over the railing, straining to see. It was unmistakably the Verinna . Nirel had sailed across the ocean beside Captain Yosiv’s ship and was intimately familiar with its appearance. She sighed in frustration as she spotted a many-oared pilot boat going out to meet the vessel. She remembered how long it took the smaller boat to tow the great ship in to the dock. They might be stuck here for hours.
    But much sooner than that, as the ship drew gradually nearer and swung around to maneuver into its berth, she gasped and jerked