The Journey of the Marked (The Miyran Heir Book 1) Read Online Free

Looking
across the dark and dingy diner, she seemed to be surrounded by a surreal light.
He looked back at his boss, who simply shook his head.
    “Look at them too long, boy, and
you won’t be able to look away. Beauty like none other across the far lands,
and a mesmerizing song that ensnares the strongest of men. They can even tame a
Graelith, so I’ve heard.” His boss shook his head again. “Be careful, my boy. Be
careful.” He crossed to the counter to tend to another customer.
    Jurf stole another glance at the
redhead. She was gracefully sipping her broth and staring out the clouded glass
of the diner entrance. She seemed to be watching for someone, yet hardly seemed
to focus on the travelers passing by outside. Why was she here in this grim
diner?
    He shook his head harshly, as if to
dismiss her image from his mind, and turned to assist another customer.

Chapter 4
     
    Tip walked at a brisk pace down the
dirt road leading from Kentish to Stipol, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his
face and the fresh breeze blowing the scent of the wildflowers that grew on the
roadside. What a relief that his uncle had arranged to be in the guardhouse on
the morning of Tip’s birthday and had the foresight to obtain a laser gun in
case Tip was marked! Of course, he wished he could have stayed in Kentish, but
at least his family cared about him and hoped that he would succeed.
    While he walked, lost in thought,
the rolling fields of Kentish fell away and the grounds surrounding the dirt
road became more barren and exposed. Something swift and small zipped by Tip’s
head, jarring him from his deep thoughts. He jerked his head toward the motion,
spying a small, purple bird rising into the air and circling. It flew in a wide
arc, then tucked its wings and dove at an alarming speed directly toward Tip’s
head. He ducked just in time, as the little bird flew by and started rising into
the air again and circling.
    This time, the bird flew in a
larger circle and farther down the path before dipping low and coming directly
toward Tip. At that moment Tip saw something else in the distance. He strained
for a clearer view of what appeared to be two very large shapes, traveling
slowly along the path from Stipol in his direction. Tip would have failed to
notice them until they were much closer if the bird hadn’t drawn his attention
to them. Meeting two strangers in such an isolated place could be dangerous. His
palms began to sweat and his stomach tightened. He dropped to his hands and
knees. His eyes darted to either side of the path, as he needed the protection
of the tall, dried stalks remaining after last year’s harvest. The stalks lined
the road closer to Kentish, but grew farther away from the road here. He
crawled slowly into the tall grass and worked his way toward the stalks, which
would provide cover for the rest of his journey to Stipol.
    Once he reached the field, Tip
continued deep enough into the dried vegetation to be hidden from view, then
stood, brushing the dirt from his pants. He surveyed the road, noticing the two
figures were closer now and of an unfamiliar species. They were hairy,
beast-like creatures, with snouts and claws. Graeliths, perhaps, though he
wasn’t certain.
    The little, purple bird landed on a
stalk near Tip and gazed in the same direction. Tip looked at the little bird,
which looked at him in return. Tip nodded in gratitude, more from habit than
the expectation that the bird really understood. After all, this bird was
something of a lucky charm since it had alerted him to the potential danger on
the road. He then turned and wended his way slowly through the crops to avoid
drawing attention to any movement. Behind him, the little bird watched his
progress for a few moments, then nodded in return and flew away across the
fields.
    After several hours, Tip reached
the edge of the fields. He paused to scan the area, cautious after his close
encounter earlier that morning. No other creatures were within