Child of Fate Read Online Free

Tristam’s in charge of
the men I ran into that helped us.”
    “You think Darren’s ready for the work you’d
be leaving him? And the others? Caitlin, Kressa, Juell? And Harvest
and Edwin—they’re barely old enough to walk without falling over!
”
    Alto nodded. “Darren and I have been showing
them the way of things. They learned fast, and I’ll be back by
harvest.”
    Halgin let out a final breath of disapproval.
“You’ve made up your mind then. I’d been wondering if this was my
last year with you. You’re a beast of a man, that’s true enough.
But the strength of a plow horse isn’t enough for what you’re
after. Aye, you’re a smart boy, but you’ve got to think quick and
know what to do. One mistake and you’re done. It’s a dangerous
path, son. I’d much rather you wanted my help in setting up your
own place and your own land to tend.”
    Alto hung his head for a moment and then
lifted it to stare his father in the eye. “I want peace and good,
honest work, but I don’t want it because someone else gives it to
me. I want to earn it. I want to make sure when I’m ready for
something like this that I can take care of what’s mine and help
those who need it.”
    Halgin chewed on his lip for a moment and
then he nodded. “It’s not what I’d have chose for you, but I’m
proud all the same. You’re a fine son, the finest a man could want.
You’re too old to tell otherwise, and too big if that weren’t the
case!”
    Alto found himself smiling with his father,
and fought back the emotions that threatened him. “I’ll be back to
help, and I’ll be careful, too.”
    Halgin nodded. He gave his son a smile and
said, “Go, before your mother comes in and wrestles the truth from
me and tries to stop you.”
    Alto’s grin widened. He clasped Halgin’s good
hand in his and then rose up. He turned and his eyes fell on the
trunk with his father’s sword. He turned back, his lips parted to
ask the question he couldn’t find the right words for.
    Halgin saw him trying and smiled. “No, I’m
sorry. You’ll have many swords in your life, Alto. Some will be
better than others, but they’ll be nothing more than tools until
you find the one that you’ve earned.”
    “Isn’t working or buying one enough?” Alto
asked, confused.
    Halgin chuckled, and then grimaced at the
discomfort movement in his chest caused. “Perhaps. The day will
come when you’ll know what I mean. Take your bow and arrows and a
good knife, though. It’s been a while, but this isn’t the first
sign of goblins coming out of the mountains. We’ll need to keep
what weapons we can to defend the farm.”
    “All right. Thank you. For everything. I’ll
be back!” Alto vowed.
    “Go, boy, and hurry before they find a way to
stop you!” his father said with tightness in his voice.
    Alto nodded again and left his father’s side.
He made straight for the room that he shared with Darren and his
youngest brother, Edwin. He bundled up a change of clothes and what
few personal effects he had, such as the silver Tristam had given
him and his bow, arrows, and knife. He slipped out of the house,
slipping quietly past the kitchen where his mother and two younger
sisters worked, and then to the outside.
    In the barn, Alto bid Darren a hushed and
hurried goodbye, explaining that he was going to be gone for a few
months, but that he would return for the harvest. Alto feared
Darren wouldn’t understand the torrent of words and emotions.
    Mounted on Sebas, Alto had only just ridden
out of view of the house when he heard his mother calling for him.
He steeled himself against the urge to turn back, and then had to
fight back the guilt. Her cries faded from his ears in a few
moments but it took far longer for their echo to fade from his
heart.
     
    * * * * *
     
    “Oy! You there, boy! You look hungry. Come,
I’ve got the finest smoked meats this side of the Northern
Divide!”
    “Fresh in from a long ride? I bet a nice bath
and some