HONOR BOUND (The Spare Heir) Read Online Free Page B

without having to pick up after me.”  Jorem swung the bag over his shoulder and headed out the door.
    He had just started up the path to the palace when Jeseph jogged up behind him.  “Jorem, I was thinking, a lot of the moves we’ll be doing are just like dance steps.  So if you learned how to dance maybe you wouldn’t have such a hard time with the moves I’m teaching you.  So what do you say, do you want to learn to dance?”
    “You want to teach me to dance?” Jorem asked a bit bewildered.
    “Well, not me, my sister.  Mom made her learn to dance when she was little.  She’s really good—a bit intense since she found out she has the healing gift, but a really good dancer.  I didn’t realize how much it helped with sword work until I watched you.  You need to learn to move more smoothly, more gracefully.  That’s what dancing is really, following patterns as smoothly as possible.  So, what do you say?  Want to give it a try?”
    “Do you really think it will help?”
    “Couldn’t hurt could it?  Besides, a prince really should know how to dance.”
    “Okay, okay!  If you’re sure your sister won’t mind.  I’ll give it a try.”
    “Great!  Meet me at my parents’ suite about half a mark after the evening meal.”
    “Right, half a mark after evening meal at Lord Andrew’s suite.  See you there.”
    With a wave Jorem started back toward the palace.  He needed to get cleaned up and have a bite to eat before meeting with Pentrothe and Lady Zensa.  It wouldn’t do to have his stomach growling, especially if they decided to do some spell casting.
     

Chapter III
     
    Pentrothe knew more than anyone Jorem had heard of, but Lady Zensa seemed to have been everywhere.  She was always talking about creatures that most people thought to be mere legend and far away places Jorem had never even heard of.  She was also the most striking woman Jorem had ever met.  Long dark hair framed her dark, delicate features, golden skin and emerald green eyes that could entrance any that looked into them.
    Other than Pentrothe, Zensa was the only adult who actually listened to his questions, and she always gave him serious answers.  She didn’t act like the women in the palace.  She never flirted, nor did she gossip, and she treated the King like an errant boy.  Jorem had once seen her nose to nose with a palace guard, none to gently informing him of the consequences should she ever see him again.  Another time Jorem saw her ever so gently scoop up a stricken spider and carry it out of the palace.
    Zensa’s visits were rare, perhaps once or twice a year.  She seldom stayed for more than a day, so Jorem considered it a treat when she came.  She had always treated Jorem like an adult, even when he’d first met her and he had only been six years old.  Having her for a friend was very important to Jorem so he did his best to act like an adult. That was usually easy to do except perhaps on those rare times that she didn’t have time for him.
    When Jorem reached Pentrothe’s chambers he found Lady Zensa and Pentrothe sitting at the worktable deep in discussion.  Not wanting to disturb what appeared to be a very intense subject, Jorem quietly took a seat at the edge of the room.  Pentrothe glanced at him and gave a slight nod of his head letting Jorem know that it was all right for him to be there.  As Jorem had gotten older he was permitted to listen and occasionally participate in more of the discussions between the Wizard and the Dragon Mage.
    When Zensa spoke, though her voice was soft and clear, it was filled with concern.
    “Pentrothe, it’s been nearly five years since any have seen him.  Of his bonded servants only five of us remain.  I can still sense him but I cannot find him.  The channel between us is still there but it is blocked by a force the likes of which I have never seen.”
    “Only five of you left?” asked Pentrothe.  “What became of the others?”
    “Most vanished