Shadows: Book One of the Eligia Shala Read Online Free Page A

quickly.
    Lieutenant Crevaux and Sergeant Brogan were kept close to the front by the Captain, leaving Bernardo and the Flight’s best horseman, Kallan Bana, to ride with the princess.
    Salanova, the capital of the Maressime Empire, was a good four days from Frann in good weather. The late snow slowed them down considerably. Aware that Captain Tessier would like to be able to blame her for the pace, Jenevra made every effort to improve her riding, never complaining, never asking to stop for rest. Two days ride from the city, they made camp for the evening sheltered in a small grove.
    Jenevra needed some space, a little time alone. Giving Bernardo the impression she had female needs to take care of, she disappeared into the trees, walking into the darkness and quiet with a heartfelt sigh of relief.
    Establishing their camp with quiet efficiency, the men were soon gathered round a fire, while Bernardo began cooking. As a kettle of tea came to boiling, and they began dipping out mugs of it, Brogan asked Bernardo if he’d seen the princess. Before Bernardo could answer, and unaware of his friendship with the young Princess, Captain Tessier interrupted loudly. “How would he know, Brogan? Tell me, how would anyone know … that … was an Imperial Princess? Great Tore, how would anyone know it was even a girl?”
    “That’s a bit harsh, Captain,” Lieutenant Crevaux objected.
    “Why?” Captain Tessier said. “How can that possibly be harsh? You saw her.”
    Brogan, spotting the tell-tale signs of rare anger in Bernardo put a warning hand on the tall man’s shoulder.
    “I mean how can she even be a Couressime?” Tessier continued. “If she’s the sister of Christiana Couressime, then I must be the High Priest of Tore! Christiana is beautiful—stunning even. Dammit, even the brothers are good-looking too. If that stunted, scrawny thing is related to them, it certainly brings meaning to “runt of the litter!”
    Bernardo, Brogan and Crevaux were not the only ones to voice protest at this; it being an unusually vicious comment from their Captain. Normally, he was charm itself with women … any women. Always seen around Court with at least one adoring young woman hanging onto his arm; Tessier was rarely without a flattering comment or a suggestive wink for anything in a skirt. Not one man around the fire could remember him ever reacting like this to anyone, much less a member of the Imperial family.
    “What a fascinating insight, Captain.” Jenevra’s voice cut clearly through the men; a path appearing as they melted away from her, leaving the princess directly facing a deeply embarrassed Captain Tessier. “And how brave of you.”
    “Your Highness, I—”
    “Oh don’t apologize, Captain,” Jenevra held her hand up to halt his words. “Please don’t feel you have to do that. I’m sure you have an excellent reason for everything you said, and it’s good to know you’re not a man to shy away from speaking the truth.” She was mildly satisfied when he looked away first, his teeth gritted against the retort he obviously wanted to make.
    Taking a deep breath, Tessier tried again. “Princess, I’m sorry… ”
    “For what? Saying what you did, or sorry I heard it? I should keep your apology if I was you Captain, because I wouldn’t believe it.” She turned to walk away; hesitating momentarily to look back over her shoulder. “One day, Captain—assuming my cousin decides to leave your head attached—you may be able to apologize sincerely. I shall look forward to that.” She swept off to a small rise at the edge of the grove and settled down with her back against a tree, staring off into the distance.
    For the rest of the evening uncertainty hovered around the Patrol like a swarm of mosquitoes: none of them sure of how to approach either their Captain or the princess. Most of the Flight gathered around the fire, but Bernardo stood watch over her in the moonlight; her knees drawn up under her chin with her