Secrets at the Keep (Kingdom of Denall Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

need to study?”
    The captain pushed past him to stand in the doorway, “Being part of the King’s Guard is not just being a body guard for the king. We do many other things that cannot be completed by anyone else. We chase down seekers, as you saw tonight. We investigate threats to our nation, we lead forces into battle, we go under cover, and we train soldiers to support the lesser barons. Wherever there is a need, we are sent in. We are trained to be the best, so the king can send in one or two people and the problem will be solved. To do that we need to be strong,” she patted his shoulder to emphasize his gift, “but we also need to be fast, and brave and smart. Now go muck out the stalls, and when you get back I’ll have some reading material here waiting for you.”

Chapter 3
     
     
    Kaz flexed his hand as he gripped his magical iron ash bow and he looked through the woods down the trail that led west toward Omer’s realm. As he thought of Omer and their mission to free the slaves which Omer kept hidden from the king, he clenched his jaw and breathed out in derision. He could hardly wait to get back into that region of Denall and help the people who lived there. It would take them several weeks on horseback, but after learning that almost every misfortune that had happened during his Troven had been caused by one of Denall’s most powerful barons, Omer, he knew he needed to go back.
    He pressed one of his magically enchanted rings into his side to warm up from the chill of the coming evening, then looked to his right at his riding companion, P. As he looked at her he wondering how she had found a group of secret slaves, and how she would have the resources to help them while not having a way to get the help from another baron, or even the king. He knew that Omer had a lot of political power in the country, and he was one of the wealthiest barons, but even he couldn’t get away with something this egregious.
    Kaz stared for a long moment at her. It was hard to believe that someone so pretty had sought him out and wanted him to go with her on this quest. Without looking at him she spoke, “What?”
    Kaz looked down. “Nothing, I was just…”
    “Staring at me, I know,” she interrupted. “Did you need something?”
    He looked back up at her. Now she was staring him down with those penetrating eyes. “No, nothing at all. Just wondering how long we’re going today before we stop.” It was starting to get darker and Kaz worried that they’d be setting up their camp in the dark again. He didn’t worry so much about himself as he could see in the dark with the Sight Stone, but Digger and the other slaves were not so lucky. Not only were they strongarms, but they didn’t even have thick travel clothing like he did. They had already traveled a lot, spent the evenings in thin tents and ragged clothing, and now they were forced to march through the darkness.
    “Soon,” P responded. She turned her head and continued down the path without saying anything else.
    Kaz wanted to make a sarcastic remark, but remembered what happened last time she didn’t like how he did or did not respond to her questions. He didn’t feel like getting slapped again, so he kept silent. As they continued late into the evening, Kaz had so many questions he wished he could ask, however he did not want to be the first to break the silence, so the night remained silent except for the footfalls of their horses and the men who followed. Though not the fastest way to travel, they walked through the dwindling light. Kaz was grateful for his horse that was able to keep a steady, slow pace without faltering.
    Suddenly, though Kaz had seen no sign of danger, P made a motion to the men and they began walking more quickly down the path. Not sure if it was something P had heard in the distance, or something she knew was waiting for them up the path, Kaz tested his bowstring and prepared for whatever was up ahead. After a couple of minutes, Kaz