Chronicles of Aurderia: The Balance Read Online Free Page B

“No, I am traveling with friends who are already passed. I will be catching up to them on the road after I collect what I need.”  
    With that last inquiry Moona felt it was time to go. She had been conversing far more casually than she ought to considering the circumstances. She paid the herbalist and gathered up her purchases before heading down the street toward the stables.  
    The herbalist watched after her occasionally glancing at the silver moons the old woman had just paid her with.
    Andra was heading toward the stables with Shuran and noticed they were attracting some attention. Andra had been walking past stall after stall. A mysterious figure in a cloak with the hood pulled up and carrying a bundle that was obviously a child; this was precisely the kind of attention that Andra did not want. Andra decided that it was time to appear less conspicuous and lower the hood on the cloak, but not before shifting.  
    “I only hope I have enough energy to make this last.” Andra sighed and after a brief shimmer inside the hood of Andra’s cloak it was lowered to reveal the features of a woman. Already Andra was feeling the strain of holding this appearance but noticed that the onlookers seemed more at ease with the presence of this new woman with a baby.  
    Andra continued down the main street toward the stables. Once at the stables Andra inquired about the purchases with the stable master who was more than eager to strike a sale since business had been slow.  
    “I have plenty of good stock, young woman let me show you around and see what you think,” the master started. “Do you want horses for speed or endurance, one must choose best based on how quickly or how far they have to travel,” he finished.  
    As Andra started to respond, the disguise began to waiver and Andra’s head lowered as a sudden feeling of strength renewed the woman’s features. As Andra wondered what had happened, a knowing look came from the sparkling green eyes of Shuran who had wrapped his tiny hand around one of Andra’s fingers. His eyes shifted colors to red then blue and nearly white. Andra suddenly realized where the power was coming from and was awe struck. Not just by the power but that the child knew what needed doing.
    “Are you all right dear?” asked the stable master approaching Andra.  
    “Ah, yes just a bit fatigued from our travels is all,” Andra managed.  
    “Well, no wonder with a young ‘un to burden and by the looks only a few moons new to the world,” the Stable master observed.  
    It was not until just that moment that Andra noticed the growth Shuran had shown in just the short time since he was birthed. Not sure what to think about it, Andra decided to focus on the task at hand. “Perhaps one sturdy horse and a wagon might be better, along with a pack horse and goats,” Andra requested.  
    “Think I have just the horse and wagon, but maybe a female yack be better than goat and work both for pack carryin’ and given up milk for the young sprat there.” And with a nod from Andra the stable master accepted the gold suns as payment and set off to get all in order.  
    After the stable master had returned Andra was setting about preparing the wagon when Moona finally waddled her way over.  
    “Well, breaking the rules with that hood-” Moona started but was cut short as Andra turned around and she caught her words in surprise. It was Andra’s cloak and Shuran in the swaddling but was Sulura’s head on the shoulders. “What the name of Hell’s Mouth is goin’-”  
    Andra signaled for Moona to keep quiet. “I was drawing attention and needed to remove my hood. It would attract more attention if those already weary saw my true self, so I adopted the last face I could remember seeing in this land that would work.”
    Moona suddenly saw the truth of it and with a bit of apprehension accepted this…for now. “Right then, what is with the wagon?”
    “I needed to cover for a mis-hap, I will