Shadows of the Dark Crystal Read Online Free Page B

Bellanji.
    â€œSurely you’re needed here in the glen,” she said. “Gurjin’s sister—”
    â€œIs still in training. I’ll go with you, Silverling. We’ll see how sure the Court of Ha’rar is about Gurjin once a Drenchen steps foot in with some real hard-talk. We’ll leave tomorrow.”
    Her father was so determined, he looked ready to grab his spear and leave for the home of the Gelfling All-Maudra that very instant, every hair on his body quivering with indignation. Laesid, though, didn’t stop him. At least, not yet. She was still tapping her finger against her lips, deep in thought as she considered Tavra’s face. Naia had to admit, the silver-haired soldier from Ha’rar didn’t have a flicker of doubt in her eyes. Whether or not it was the truth, she certainly believed what she had claimed. Even Bellanji’s ranting could not shake her.
    â€œYes, in fact,” Laesid said finally. “Yes. Bellanji, on the morn, you’ll go to Ha’rar and meet with the All-Maudra herself. We’ll straighten this out in a civilized way . . . no need for sneaking about and sending mysterious visitors to investigate in the dark of the night.”
    Just as Tavra opened her mouth to protest again, Laesid continued, “Naia, you’ll go with your father.”
    Naia straightened, hands clutching her knees, heart racing with both surprise and excitement.
    â€œI will?”
    â€œIt’s about time you left Sog, and this will be a good time to do it. You’ll go with your father and see how they do things in Ha’rar.” Laesid’s voice dropped a bit lower, almost as if she were speaking to herself. “There’s a thorny nettle growing. Between the castle and the Skeksis, tangling with the All-Maudra and the Gelfling race. As it grows thicker, we in the outreaches of the Skarith Land will need to be more familiar with those that rule us.”
    Bellanji huffed a ring of smoke and put up his pipe with an unruly clatter.
    â€œGreat,” Bellanji said. “A final saying. Naia, we leave as the Great Sun rises. I’m off to bed.”
    He thumped his chest once with a fist and let out a big
brrrrruuupp
as he left. The odor carried throughout the room, and Tavra wrinkled her nose when he was gone, turning her attention back to Laesid.
    â€œMaudra, I will accompany your daughter and husband to Ha’rar.”
    â€œAughra bless, I’m sure you will,” Laesid replied, a dubious arched brow making it clear where her trust was. “At the least, it’s a way to shoo you from my sight. Get to bed and rest well. You leave in the morning, and with you goes any and all words against my son. Do you understand?”
    â€œI may keep my lips sealed, but the truth garners singers wherever it goes,” Tavra said. She stood. “Still, I thank you for your lenience. I will endeavor to escort your husband to the All-Maudra so he may make his case at Gurjin’s trial, if that is whatyou wish. I don’t guarantee its effectiveness, however.”
    Naia bunched up her fists at the irreverence in the Vapra’s voice, but as she had all through the meeting, she held her tongue. It didn’t feel good, but she knew it was the adult way and suffered through it.
    Laesid shrugged and waved a hand, unaffected by the Vapra’s haughty tone.
    â€œI don’t need your guarantee on anything, Tavra of Ha’rar, except one: that you’ll get out of my swamp as soon as there’s light enough to show you the way.”

Chapter 4
    N aia awoke early the next morning. After splashing her face with cool water from the basin outside her window, she pulled on a light tunic and tucked two
bola
in her belt. Lastly, she opened a small leather pouch that rested on her single carved shelf. It was a gift from Gurjin, something he’d brought back for her the first time he’d returned after his appointment at