Greendaughter (Book 6) Read Online Free Page A

Say what you will and be done.”
    A frown of annoyance troubled the human’s face, quickly concealed.
    “This, then,” he said at last. “We are traveling through your forest to join in the building of a great city to the south and west. It is of great importance that we reach it without delay; there is no time to pass around the forest’s border. It is my wish to hire your services to guide us through the elven places, lest the elves attack or capture us.”
    Chyrie laughed. “Even were we willing to agree, human, we would be no use to you. We are Wilding, and you pass not through Wilding lands, and other clans care nothing for us, nor we for them. They would as gladly strike us down as you. And even did you pass through Wilding land, we have no special voice there to shield you from the wrath of others. That you slew other humans to my benefit would not buy you passage through our territory, and to other elves you have not even that poor excuse for favor.”
    “Is there no agreement of safe conduct between the elves?” Rivkah asked. “You mentioned that this place was safe to all.”
    “Safe to all elves, ”Valann corrected. “And to you perhaps for a short time, not long, and only because it is forbidden to shed blood here.”
    “How long are we safe here?” Sharl asked worriedly.
    Val shrugged.
    “I know not,” he said. “Until the neighboring clans tire of your presence and decide to kill you. They would not wait until you moved of your own accord, for already you have spilled blood against our law in this place.”
    “You would have killed the men, if you had the chance,” Sharl countered. “What then would have happened to you?”
    “We would have wounded them if we could, and bound them,” Chyrie said lightly, “and left them outside the markers to the justice of the clans who keep the altars. It would be no quick death they would earn so. Humans found trespassing in elven lands are—” She stopped abruptly.
    “Are what?” Rivkah pressed.
    Chyrie shrugged.
    “I cannot say,” she said. “In Wilding lands they would be stripped of skin inch by inch while acid sap is applied. What Moon Lake or Redoak clans would do, I cannot say.”
    “But you have traveled safely,” Sharl argued, “through other territories.”
    “We used the common road,” Valann said patiently. “Those bound for this place or returning from it may do so.” He gestured at the green cord around Chyrie’s arm. “We are doubly safe while she wears the mark of fertility.”
    “Then could we not take this common road through the forest?” Sharl asked.
    “I say again, you are not elf,” Val snarled. “That you trespass in our sacred places and upon our common road is a greater transgression, not less. Any elf would slay you for such presumption.”
    “Need we fear even your knife at our throats?” Rivkah asked softly.
    Val glanced at Chyrie before answering.
    “You need not,” he said at last. “You trespass here, but it is not our duty to punish that, and you aided my mate when you need not have done so, even though you acted in your own cause. For ourselves we will not harm you if you do us no other discourtesy. That should serve as our...gratitude.”
    “But if we traveled on the common road in the company of elves?” Sharl pressed. “Would other elves then attack us?”
    Chyrie exchanged looks with Val, then shrugged.
    “I know not,” she said. “Never has such a thing been done. But no elves would travel with humans, not through their own territory and with their Eldest’ s blessing, much less through the lands of other clans.”
    “We would pay well,” Sharl said persuasively, drawing forth a small leather sack from his waist. He poured its contents onto the ground in front of Chyrie and Valann.
    Val picked up one of the golden coins and examined it closely, smelling it and passing it to Chyrie.
    “What is the use of this?” Chyrie asked, hefting the coin in her hand. “It is wrongly shaped