Reborn: Flames of War Read Online Free Page B

war, the chances that the other kingdoms will enter the fray will be greatly reduced.”
    “It sounds like you are using yourself as bait my lord,” Li said her voice meek yet carrying a hint of worry laced in it.
    “I am,” Ash admitted. “I hope that the king listens to reason and agrees to peace, but truthfully I doubt things will go that easily. Most likely he will want to force a war. If the worst comes about and our lives are in danger, I plan to use dimension door to get us out of there. That is why when we meet the king, I only want two of you to accompany me.”
    “Which two my lord?” Li asked her voice sounding slightly louder than usual.
    “I think that Tolarea and you Li would be the best two choices,” Ash said quickly having considered the same question himself a number of times. “While we meet with the king, I want the rest to wait in a place where we can meet up if there is trouble.”
    “Master, can I ask a question?” Seia asked her voice sounding slightly bothered.
    “You just did, but I guess I can allow you a second one,” Ash said trying to make his voice sound slightly playful.
    “Why did you chose Li and Tolarea?”
    “It was hard to take. Tolarea is the best choice in the event we are forced into close combat. Not to mention just having her nearby will intimidate anyone thinking of starting a fight. The real choice was who the second person should be. With Tolarea on physical defense I needed someone with magical defense and that meant either Li or Celina. Celina has stronger magic, but no real defensive abilities so Li was the natural choice between the two.”
    “I understand…But,” Seia said her tail swishing side to side in what Ash had learned to be a sign of her anger or annoyance. “I think I should accompany you as well. There is a chance that they could use poison.”
    “There is a chance of poison,” Ash admitted. “It would be a quick and silent way to kill us.” In truth, Ash hadn’t even considered the chance of poison being used, but now that it was pointed out to him he had to agree that it was a viable threat. “Ok then, it will be the four of us, but no more. If we add anyone else, then if it comes to escape, I won’t be able to move us all.”
    Seia showed a contented face and nodded her head in agreement. They were still a ways away from the capital but it didn’t hurt to plan ahead.
    “STOP!” A loud shout reverberated in the air. Looking out the small window of the carriage, Ash noticed a large group of people gathered on the road ahead. Unlike before, the road was not empty as Ash’s group had earlier merged with a small trading caravan.
    Sighing, Ash started to exit the carriage. “My lord, should we not use your dimension door to escape from this area and watch as we did before?”
    “Last time we did that, it put everyone in danger and we still had to fight,” Ash said turning the small latch that held the door closed. “If we have to fight, I would prefer all of us to be close to each other so that we can fight as a group.”
    Ash walked to the front of the three wagons when he heard the caravan leader talking loudly. “Can we help you? If not, I would suggest you find easier prey. We have ten guild trained guards and are traveling with an emissary that is headed to meet with the king. I am sure that is far more trouble than you wish to encounter.” Ash had to hold back a smile when he heard the old man speak. He had been quick to welcome Ash and the others even after he was told that the majority of the party consisted of demons. It turned out that his aunt had been more than half demon and he did not agree with the current policies where they applied to demi-humans.
    “Silence,” one of the bandits yelled as he looked over the group. “I will give you one chance. All of you except the demon spawn may leave here.”
    “You might have to be more specific,” the caravan head said with a heavy frown. “Almost half my guards have