Ebudae Read Online Free Page A

tea. “I will stay here and enjoy a peaceful day
in my conservatory.”
    The girls jumped up, ready to leave before
she changed her mind. Frath glared at his longtime friend again as
he stood. “I have things to do, so I’ll see them out.”
    “You’re not going to stay?” Lady Pallon
asked innocently.
    “I consider you a true friend, but there are
times when you infuriate me. Good day, Milady.” He bowed curtly and
spun to leave, gesturing for the girls to follow him.
    The girls ran after him, trying to keep up
with his long stride. Ebudae expected her grandmother to say
something before they moved out of earshot, but no words followed
them. She made it a point not to look back, in fear that the nasty
old woman’s gaze might turn her to stone.
    They passed through the main hall to the
front entry in no time at all. Frath threw open the doors and
marched down the front walkway. Pelya and Ebudae closed the doors
frantically and then ran after him, only catching up at the main
gate.
    A squirrel rushed down a branch of the tree
to one side of the gate and spoke words to make the black iron
open. Once on the sidewalk bordering the wide, cobbled street,
Frath stopped with hands on hips. The girls stopped behind him, not
daring to say anything. Suddenly he turned. After staring at them
for a moment, he let out a large breath and visibly relaxed. “I’m
sorry. It just makes me so . . .” He inhaled and let the breath out
slowly. “You ladies enjoy yourself, but please, please stay
out of trouble,” he pleaded. “I worry about you . . .”
    “We’ll be fine, Daddy. I promise.” Pelya
gave him a great big hug. Then she took Ebudae by the hand and the
two girls ran off down the street.
    They stopped running as soon as they were
out of sight around the corner. “That was the most nerve wracking
thing ever!” Ebudae said in relief as they moved along the
sidewalk.
    “I thought daddy was going to kill your
grandmother.”
    “So did I,” Ebudae agreed.
    “See, I told you he gets angry,”
Pelya said. “It’s scary when he gets like that. He does it with me
sometimes. It’s like he’s going to punch me or something.”
    That concerned Ebudae and she took her
friend by both arms, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. “Tell
me the truth, has he hit you?”
    Pelya shook her head. “No. It just feels
like he wants to, like he’s mad at me and he balls his hands
up into fists.” There was fear in her eyes. “It would hurt a lot if
he did hit me. I’m tough, but . . .”
    “He’s not going to hit you. Call me silly if
you want, but I don’t think he’ll ever hurt you like that.” Ebudae
felt it strongly and hoped with all her heart it was true.
    The words seemed to get through. “You think
so?” Pelya asked hopefully.
    “Yes. I do.”
    “Alright. That makes me feel better. Thank
you.” They hugged fiercely.
    “Pelya Jornin?” A clear, powerful voice came
from the street next to them. They looked up to see a man in
shining, plate armor sitting atop a magnificent warhorse. His eyes
were the same color of the sky above him. His face was strong and
noble, but kind at the same time. Dark blonde hair fell to his
shoulders and matched the neatly trimmed beard and mustache. A fine
orange tunic had a golden sun embroidered on the chest and matched
the cloak flowing down his back. Both girls curtseyed, recognizing
him as a knight.
    “Yes, Sir Knight?” Pelya responded. Ebudae
remembered Pelya telling her about a knight she met when she was
ten. It was the day her Uncle Bobbell had died, one that Pelya had
tried to forget ever since.
    “Are you well, Pelya Jornin?” he asked.
    “Yes, Sir Knight.”
    “And is your father well?”
    “Yes, Sir Knight. You asked after my father
once before. Please tell me how you know him.” Pelya’s speech was
very formal, showing respect to the man.
    “I was at the Shining Shield Inn the day you
were born, lass. Your father took responsibility for you and held
you with