The Grim Wanderer Read Online Free Page A

would have been a lady of high-society, set to marry a lord. But Logan had moulded her into a ferocious warrior.
    The Sodan Master motioned for Macen and Edar to take up their wooden practice swords, and spread out alongside Taem and Elena.
    ‘Start with Hawk Hunting in the Forest,’ Logan said to them all.
    In time with each other, the three brothers and sister flowed through the movements under the watchful eye of their Master.
     
    After they had performed the eight Forms to the Master’s satisfaction, and he had refined imperfections in their technique, they headed towards the rambling house for lunch.
    They skirted round the edge of the vegetable patch, and Taem took in the welcoming feel of their home, a large stone farmhouse with a thatched roof. The warm smell of fresh baking intermingled with the scents of a country garden. Birds twittered in the trees, and a stream trickled down a gentle slope, where the bottom of the garden met woodland. The grey stone house had sections jutting off in every direction, giving the appearance of a giant blacksmith’s puzzle that was only half finished.
    The warriors climbed the handful of steps to the back door and entered the kitchen. On the pine work surface below the window, Aunt Sera was busy making them some lunch. She was a short lady in her elder years, with greying hair tied neatly back in a bun. She dressed as a farmer’s wife, wearing a white apron that never seemed to be blemished with a single stain, despite all the hard work she did. Taem felt sad for the kind old woman, she seemed to carry her heavy sadness with her always. She had lost her husband, children and grandchildren to a Krun raid.
    Taem went and stoked the small fire in the hearth, and lifted the kettle over it, as the others sat down round the oak table.
    ‘There you go, children,’ Aunt Sera heaved two stacked plates of food onto the kitchen table, and sat down to join them.
    ‘Thank you,’ they said as they began to tuck into the food. Logan and Sera were offered the food first, and the three brothers and sister descended on any remainders, as if they were a pack of wolves feasting on a carcass. Macen, once he had checked that no-one else wanted any, piled the remaining sausages and bacon onto his plate.
    ‘Can always rely on Macen to finish up the sausages,’ Edar grinned.
    Taem chuckled, whilst Macen shot Edar a disparaging glare.
    ‘Says the boy who ate a whole chicken last feastday,’ Elena smiled at Edar, as she stole a slice of bacon off Macen’s plate.
    ‘Hey,’ Edar shrugged. ‘Never said I was perfect, not like the golden child over there,’ Edar nodded at Taem.
    Taem scowled at Edar.
    Elena mockingly pinched Taem’s cheek.
    ‘If you spend any more time looking grim, brother,’ Elena said, ‘your face is going to forget how to smile.’
    ‘Thank you for your concern, sister,’ Taem smiled, ‘but one of us has to keep your mischief in check!’
    ‘I want us to go into the village tomorrow,’ said Aunt Sera. ‘I need to get some more thread and needles to mend your clothes, and a dozen other things.’
    The brothers and sister perked up at this, looking to Logan with expectation.
    ‘Fine by me,’ Logan picked up another piece of bread. ‘We will all come with you if you like.’
    Macen let out a content sigh as he lounged back on his chair, whilst a smirk spread across Edar’s face. Any trip into the village was an opportunity for Edar to meet up with his friend Alandar, and that meant trouble. Alandar was the son of the innkeeper, and one month ago Edar and he had got so drunk on cider that they could not even stand. After they had created untold mischief around Cairbron, Macen and Taem had found the two fools passed out in the inn’s stables. Taem had been in two minds as to whether to tell Logan or not, but perhaps the thumping hangover had been punishment enough.
    ‘What’s so funny, brother?’ Elena teased Edar.
    ‘Nothing,’ Edar said