Hunt of the Bandham (The Bowl of Souls: Book Three) Read Online Free Page A

of dawn.
     
    “I will go with you,” he rumbled.
     
    Justan wiped the sleep from his eyes. “Are you sure?”
     
    “Yes.”
     
    “Zambon and Tamboor might need you.” Justan said, though he was truly glad that Fist decided to stay with him.
     
    The ogre shook his head. “They have each other. They are part of my tribe, but they do not see me as part of theirs.” He hesitated, not knowing how to express in words what he was feeling. Instead he sent his feeling to Justan through the bond. Fist was concerned that his presence would just remind them of the enemy that killed his family.
     
    “Surely they would not see you that way. They know it wasn’t your fault.”
     
    “But I do not,” Fist said, truthfully. “They need to be alone so they can . . . get better. I would be in the way.”
     
    “I am glad you are coming with me,” Justan said, impressed with the wisdom coming from this ogre. His grasp of the common tongue was pretty good as well. He was looking forward to getting to know Fist better.
     
    Fist smiled but his eyes were sad. “You should not be. I lose two tribes already. The Thunder People and The Big and Little Peoples are gone now. Maybe it is not good to be with me.”
     
    When they left the stable, Justan was surprised to see that it had snowed during the night. A thick blanket of whiteness laid over everything. Justan crossed the courtyard toward the unfinished castle and he saw a group of people gathered in front of the stairs. Zambon and Princess Elise were arguing while Lenny and Captain Demetrius stood to the side, bewildered expressions on their faces.
     
    “I command you not to leave!” Elise shouted.
     
    Zambon put a hand on her shoulder, but she jerked it away. He looked the Princess straight in the eye. “I am sorry, dear Elise. But I must.”
     
    “This is an outrage!” The princess’ face was beet red and tears began to roll down her cheeks. “You dare leave me in my time of need?”
     
    Zambon looked away.
     
    Elise’s voice quieted. “Don’t you love me?”
     
    “More than you could ever know.” Zambon said. Justan could see that the guard’s fists were clenched so tight that his knuckles were white. “But my father needs me. I am all that he has left.”
     
    For the first time, Justan noticed Tamboor sitting on the snow-covered steps behind them. He was ignoring the argument and silently polished a long wicked sword. Lying next to Tamboor was a cloth covered bundle strapped to a pair of long poles.
     
    Zambon bent to kiss the princess’ hand, but she pulled back and fled up the stairs, crying. With a sigh, Zambon turned to Captain Demetrius. “Captain, please be sure to bring her home safely.”
     
    “I will.” The Captain promised. “I offered clemency to those of the duke’s garrison that were still alive. They have agreed to escort us on our trip back to Dremald. We leave in a few hours. She will be safe back at home by the end of the week.”
     
    Tamboor stood and with barely a nod to his son, picked up the end of the poles and began to walk away from the castle, dragging the package behind him, a grim look on his face. Resolute, Zambon bent to pick up a full pack of provisions that lay at his feet and turned to Lenny.
     
    “Good luck be with you, friend. Thank you again for the sword. I have a feeling we might need its magic.”
     
    “Sorry ‘bout what happened to yer kin, son. Kill a hunnerd of the dag-blasted beasts fer me,” the dwarf said. “And give that sword of yers a name. She’ll see you through the hard times.”
     
    Zambon nodded and trudged through the snow after Tamboor. The veteran warrior hadn’t stopped to wait for his son.
     
    Justan ran to catch up to him. “Zambon!”
     
    The guard gave Justan a weary smile but kept walking. “Good luck on your journey, Sir Edge. I guess mine is just beginning.”
     
    Justan kept up his friend’s pace. “Zambon, I want to thank you.”
     
    “No thanks are