Kara Read Online Free

that
made it seem simple.
    “What…umm? I’m…Kara.” Kara stumbled over her
words. He didn’t look like anyone, or anything she had ever seen
before. No doubt about it, she was in the Territories. It was a
land of the non-human races, and this creature was about as
non-human as they go.
    “I’m a dwarc. Part orc and part dwarf.”
Hambone seemed pleased by this fact. He relaxed a bit.
    Her father once read to her about elves,
dwarves, and fairies, but that was just childhood tales. Or was
it?
    “I’ve never met a…” Again, unsure of how to
express anything, Kara’s voice sputtered out.
    “I think I am the only one. Unique in a way.
Mom called me her special Orc-kin. Dad was the dwarf.” He started
to take a step toward her, but she immediately backed up.
    “Stay there!” Water splashed at her ankles as
she stepped into the river.
    Hambone looked a little shocked by the fierce
command.
    “It’s okay. I understand. I look scary. I got
my size from my mom, and hair and brains from my dad.” He turned
his back on her and took a couple of steps away. “I’ll go now.”
    “No…wait. It’s not…” Kara said uncertainly.
She looked up and saw that the creature was listening intently.
“Someone was chasing me….and I jumped into the river.”
    Hambone’s eyes went wide. “Who would be
chasing something as….small as you?”
    “Um…” And Kara pressed hard to remember all
that had happened in the last few hours. “The…Witch Guard?” Why was
she so confused?
    “The Witch Guard? They sound like a nasty
bunch. Magic can be dangerous.”
    “Magic? Don’t be silly. There is no magic in
Faldoa.” Kara laughed.
    “This isn’t Faldoa.”
    Kara stared at Hambone, “Oh, no. I was afraid
I was on the wrong side of the river.”
    Hambone looked taken aback. “Um…it’s not the
wrong side to me. It’s perfectly nice here in the Territories.
Actually, Macada, if you want to get even more specific.”
    It was Kara’s turn to look bewildered.
“Macada?” Panic crept into her voice. But how will I get home?”
    “I don’t know,” Hambone said. “Maybe you’ll
have to stay here forever.”
    “B-but…but t-that’s not…p-possible. I belong
in Faldoa. My father is in danger, and I need to get home. Please,
you must help me.”
     
    ***
     
    King La’ard set his chalice of mead on the
table and turned toward the opening door to the dining hall. A
figure in sulfur black boots entered the room. An unmistakable hiss
followed the footsteps.
    “Master Kreitan.”
    “Sire.” Kreitan dropped to one knee in front
of his king.
    The king waved him to his feet but held up
one finger to stop further speech while he plucked another potato
from the plate. Eerie silence hung as La’ard slowly chewed,
savoring each texture and flavor. All the while, he fixed Kreitan
with a penetrating glare. Kreitan did not waver in his stance under
the scrutiny of his king.
    La’ard took the cloth that lay on his lap,
dabbed at a smear of grease on his face, pushed back his chair, and
stood. The king was not the tallest ruler that Faldoa ever had, but
he definitely had a commanding appearance.
    “Master Kreitan, you know how I extremely
dislike being disturbed while eating.”
    “Yes, sire.” Kreitan remained still, not
explaining himself. La’ard would ask the questions and get the
information from his loyal servant, but Kreitan would not reveal
anything more until asked. He’d make La’ard work for the
answers.
    “Walk with me and we will discuss this matter
which I presume has been resolved.”
    Kreitan fell in step just behind the king. He
felt small next to La’ard. Then again, it could have been the crown
La’ard wore everywhere. Kreitan thought that adornment unnecessary,
making his king look like a fool.
    “So the lead proved false?”
    “No, sire. There were complications.”
    La’ard stopped and turned toward his captain.
Long silver locks of hair swished around the crown. The hair was a
common