The Hills of Home (The Song of the Ash Tree Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

left the world of men.

FOUR
    R aef took a deep breath and let it out. He felt his heart begin to beat as fast and hard as the birds had pumped their wings, but he forced away the panic, knowing he could not let it wash over him. It was not like the anticipation of battle. That would be welcome. The tingling skin on the back of his neck, the surge through his muscles, the battle-roar that worked its way up from deep within, an echo of his ancestors. These things he knew, these things were ingrained. And though battle was a promise of blood and death, there was no fear for Raef. But this was different.
    There was no enemy here, no screaming warrior worthy of his wrath, no sword, even, with which to show his strength. He was alone and his opponent was the unknown. Raef’s mind raced with the stories of the nine worlds. Fire, ice. Treacherous giants burning with hatred for the gods. Secretive alfar, both dark and light. No safe place for man.
    A clear thought penetrated the tumult of his mind and held the creeping fear at bay. It came on the wind of his father’s voice. “There is still a sun in the sky and earth beneath your feet, Raef.” Raef closed his eyes and he was on a jagged cliff in Vannheim. Above, his father waited, his expectant face peering down from the safety of the summit. Below, the world dropped away into a deep, dark fjord and Raef’s arms were beginning to tremble with exhaustion from the climb. He heard his younger self, a boy of nine, protest that it was impossible, that he would surely fall, that he could not do it. His father had not smiled, had not insisted the way was easy and that Raef would do it. At the time, Raef had seen only sternness in his father’s features. He recognized now that fear had been there as well, that Einarr had not been certain his son would survive the challenging climb.
    “Look around you, Raef. This is the world and it is often harsh. You will be a warrior of Vannheim and then its lord. There is no easy path for you. You must learn to survive. And then you must learn to flourish.”
    Raef had conquered the cliff that day and the exhilaration of feeling so close to the sun and knowing he alone had put himself there had stayed with him. As he grew in years and strength, the cliff became an old friend and a tangible reminder of what he was capable of.
    His father’s voice died away and Raef opened his eyes. He touched the Thor hammer around his neck. Though his heart still thrummed in his chest, there was something other than fear driving it. Perhaps this was not so very different from a battle after all. He knew not what lay ahead, but there on that hilltop, Raef made a vow, to himself, to the gods, to his father. Let the gods be his witness, he would find his way home.

    The shadow came from above, spiraling out of the blue until darkness fell across the sun. Raef turned, an instant too late, and was thrown back to the earth. He sprawled face down in the dirt, his chest riven with pain. Raef clutched his ribs and struggled to rise and face his attacker, but his pain turned to astonishment.
    The creature that stared down at him seemed to Raef as painted wood made flesh. Bright, pulsing eyes the color of a sunset arrested any movement Raef might make. Hot breath blew from narrow nostrils and a slender tongue snaked out from between sharp teeth. It was a familiar face, for it and its kind adorned the prow of every Vannheim ship.
    The beast held Raef’s gaze for a long moment then folded its immense wings into its body. It was only then that Raef noticed the rider on its back.
    “You are not afraid.” The rider was as Raef remembered, only now Raef could see his pale hair was twisted behind his head and streaked through with many shades of blue. He rode tall, unaided by saddle or harness, his head held high.
    “I never thought to see a dragon.”
    “There are no longer dragons in this world or any other.” He smiled a little at Raef’s confusion. “What you and your