Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles Read Online Free Page B

arched a brow at me, then folded his arms and grinned. “Scared of a wolf are you?”
    “We’re in Raswood Forest,” I whispered.
    Derrick’s face paled, and in one swift movement, his claymore was out and pointed at a tree. “You could’ve warned me.”
    Raswood Forest, one of the wild territories Father taught me about. Full of wild predators, including winter wolves—large white nightmares that hunted in packs and killed anything in their path. I’d rather face a group of Roamers than have to fight one of those beasts.
    It was too dark to hunt, but we had to find food. The fanna we packed would only sustain us for so long. I thought we would’ve found Jeslyn and been back already. Where were they taking her?
    We made camp by a large stream. Silver specks darted around the rushing water.
    “Glimmer fish!” For once, things were going our way. Glimmer fish were easy to catch because of their shiny scales and big schools.
    Derrick and I made a bet that whoever caught the smallest fish would have first watch. I was the better hunter. It would be an easy win.
    I watched Derrick take a net out of the pack. By the time he had that mass of string untangled, I’d have caught five fish already. I traded my sword for my bow and lined up a shot. For the past five years, I’d won every archery contest at the Puring Festival, and I never missed.
    Ready, set…
    “I got one!” Derrick shouted.
    I jumped at Derrick’s girly shrill, my left foot slipping on the mossy stone. I flailed my arms, trying to catch myself, but failed and fell backwards into the water. The splash scared away all the fish except the measly one my arrow managed to pierce. I punched the water, getting wetter by the moment. I heard another howl, grabbed the shaft of my arrow and sulked back to camp.

    Derrick smirked as he turned the fish over on the fire. I sat across from him, scowling and picking at a fish too pathetic to eat.
    Derrick stifled a chuckle.
    “Stop it.” I threw the fish into the fire and watched it turn to ash. My stomach grumbled and Derrick handed me one of his roasting sticks. Normally, I’d decline out of pure stubbornness, but the fresh scent of cooked glimmer was too tempting. I grabbed the stick and bit into the meat, burning the bottom of my lip.
    “It was your fault I slipped,” I said in between bites. “You screamed like a little girl and distracted me. You never would’ve won if you played fair.”
    “You’re one to talk,” Derrick said with a full mouth. “You’re the biggest cheater I know.”
    I would’ve argued, but he wasn’t completely incorrect. Three summers ago, we were almost thrown in the river when I got caught cheating at knucklebones.
    We sat by the fire, staring into the flames. Clouds covered the stars, surrounding us in a dreary black. Wind wheezed through the old pines, causing them to creak. I held my cape closer to my body, warming myself.
    “How did this happen?” Derrick buried his head in his hands.
    I perched my elbows on top of my thighs. I didn’t want to think about Jeslyn. We bickered non-stop. I’d spent a good portion of my day figuring out new pranks to play on her. Now it seemed such a waste of time. Losing Jimri was hard, but at least he knew I loved him. Jeslyn could die assuming I thought she was a royal pain. I couldn’t bear the thought of her in danger.
    “I don’t know,” I said. “Things have been peaceful in the lands, especially with The Puring Festival only weeks away.”
    There were five annual festivals in Tarrtainya, but the Puring was the most celebrated. It was the only festival when our family ate beef. Cows were needed more for their milk and cheese, and beef was a luxury only the rich could afford, but during the festival Lord Tyre had his own cows killed. Two browns. Father called the Puring a day of remembrance. A reminder of the Dark Wars and how The Order saved us all from the dark mages. Seemed like just another excuse to drink lots of ale and