Echoes from the Lost Ones Read Online Free Page B

care, I am.”
    I offered Wirt my arm and he pulled himself upright. I made a smile and swished his skirt to face the right way and to my discomfort and joy, Wirt wrapped his arm around my middle and huggled me close. Now, if any other uninvited teen had done this to me, I would have ripped his nads from their resting place and flung them to the raptors. Instead, I did the same to him, and cozied thus, we walked back.
    Just before the entrance, Wirt and I dropped arms. He strode in first then I slightly behind. The Nearlymen were all-abed and only Brennus and the greybeard Aiken were still awake, sitting and supping something hot. Wirt approached them and they sent their focus to the floor.
    Cowards. Cowards all.
    “Safely returned as was bid,” Wirt said.
    “Job done well. Retire. Go quick,” Brennus said without lifting his gaze. Wirt bowed and left. “Catcher of birds, sit one sec more. Will ye try some grog?”
    “I do not partake.” A lie. I have and dare say will again, but my mistrust for these males ran deeper than the lake at Ness.
    “Then sit. I will have words or two.”
    “Speak. I have no relish of squatting in your midst.”
    “Understood.” He raised his giant head and stared full into my eyes. I gazed back not intending for one jiffy to allow him a win. “Ye were found a distance from yer land. Aiken here, so taken with yer status, omitted to discover yer purpose.”
    “I quest for my bro-bro, taken by the Agros.”
    “So, they have reached as far as that? We have heard rumours that Cityplace is under siege from the Agros. Is this true?”
    “It is.”
    “What drove them to set upon ye in such a manner?”
    “To free the Praisebee rebels that were incarcerated. And, as it turned out, to filch my bro. Santy Breanna and other Specials took a stance against them and they sent forth troops, or rather, Carnies, to put us in our place. The whole city was in lockdown when I left.”
    “Then how did ye escape?”
    “Diversion set up by a S.A.N.T. and my grangran to fool the perimeter guards. One gave me a tip off and I headed into the forest before I was missed.”
    “Why here?
    “Not sure. I gleaned not much info from the guard. He just sent me deep into your province as quick as that. With a vague suggestion that I would glean more when I neared the end to this wood. I dare say he wished to have me gone before the Agros observed my lack of presence.”
    Brennus rose to his feet and loomed over me as if to strike. I held my position, ready to kick at his delicate area.
    “Sent here? For what purpose?”
    “That he did not declare.”
    “What did he say?”
    “That answers would be forthcoming.”  
    “Nay more?”
    “Nope.”
    “Ye are yet of youth. To be travelling alone is not without question.”
    “I have years enough to clear me for solo duties. And I am well trained from my Santy Breanna.”
    “A S.A.N.T. gave ye school?”
    “For many a moon and sun. Twelve to be exact.”
    “And how old when ye started?”
    “Five and three-quarters.”
    Aiken wolfed down his grog and stifled a mild “Ha, ha, ha.” Brennus changed his look of threat to one of kindred and slapped me on the shoulder. Sending my camouflaged Synthbag to the floor. I quickly scooped it up before they got a glimpse. Everyone, despite their choice of dwelling, knows about the goodies contained within and I did not want to be severed from their comfort.
    “Very well, little warrior, very well. To bed and rest for tomorrow ye will be sorely set to test. We will feast upon the meat ye provide for many a long day.”
    I did not like the last part of his speech. It indicated my stay would not be brief. “I cannot give vent that much. I am bound to limit the numbers lest there be no more to dine upon.” Brennus did not respond. “If I were to annihilate too many birdybirds that would mean extinction, and extinction means…no more meat. Ever.”
    “We shall see. There are more than enough to go round in these parts.