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

watched the countryside pass
by. He recognized the village of Stipol and the herds of klen being shepherded
by the Raptans outside the city. The klen were a primary source of meat for
Kentish, as well as Caldot. They multiplied quickly and were stocky creatures
with six legs and thousands of little scales covering their bodies. The scales
reflected the sunlight, cooling the animals, as well as serving a number of
other uses for the population. A klen scale necklace was quite beautiful and
could fetch a handsome price. Because they also served a variety of useful
purposes in machinery, Tip carried a bag of scales with him at all times.
    He turned his attention to the city
in the distance. While he had made this journey before, everything felt new to
him in his now-changed circumstances. The thrill of adventure teased him as he
debated which station would be the safest departure point. He was an easy
target and friends like the Raptans would be scarce in Caldot. He only hoped he
would be able to sense danger and avoid it.
    He decided the Raca Station was the
best choice. While the surrounding area was not perhaps the safest from crime,
it was home to a wide variety of species, thus providing the best camouflage. He
last visited this part of town half a year ago in the fall. With any luck, he
could still find the marketplace from which he should be able to find the
palace.
    Tip gazed in delight as the city
came into view with the massive mountains looming over it to the far north. The
Liput learned geography in class, but Tip had never ventured anywhere farther
than Caldot. He longed to visit the mountains that tapered in size as they
journeyed northwest of the city, where they split into two ranges with the
larger peaks continuing west, while slightly smaller peaks curved, eventually
running south and gradually lessening in height toward the marshes far to the
southwest of Caldot. The flat and dry lands to the east of Caldot failed to
pique his interest like the mountains.
    As the transport neared Raca, Tip’s
heart raced and he found himself swallowing to moisten his dry mouth. The
transport provided some security, but in the city he would be more exposed. He
pulled his pack on his back and moved to the door as the transport approached
the station. He glanced around to ensure no one else was nearby besides the
Raptans, then turned to the older man. “Just curious …”
    The man raised his eyebrows.
    “Graeliths? Big and hairy with long
snouts and claws?”
    The man nodded.
    “Thank you.” He closed his eyes and
thought to himself, “And thank you, little purple bird. If I ever see you
again, I’ll make you the biggest nest ever.” He looked at the man again, a
lopsided smile on his face.
    The Raptan said, with the same
softness around his eyes, “Good luck.”
    The transport slowed as it reached
Raca Station. The conductor’s announcement over the transport’s speaker
confirmed this was indeed the expected stop. Tip took a deep breath, nodded to
the Raptans, and exited onto the platform. He glanced around; it appeared much
the same as his previous trip. The station bustled with activity and a dozen
people representing any number of species moved on and off the stopped
transport. Then the bell sounded, the doors closed, and the transport continued
on its journey. Tip watched until the transport traveled out of sight. Maybe he
should have ridden all the way to the center of town. No, the traders had told
him that Graeliths watched the central station. Raca was safer and by far the
best choice.
    “Ur ya lost?” an old, scrawny woman
asked. She rested upon a battered box, flapping her toothless jaws together
with a slap. Tip failed to recognize the species, but she was ugly. Her skin
hung loosely from her body and what little hair her head still held stood
straight up. She grasped what appeared to be a walking stick with frail, bony
hands.
    Tip muttered a negative response,
mostly ignoring the old beast, and walked