The Sword of Light: Book One of the Veredor Chronicles Read Online Free

It’s an old tavern that doubles as an inn,’ said Red as
he knocked on the door. He waited for a few moments. ‘The King kept
taxing places like this until they went out of business,’ he added,
continuing to knock loudly.
    ‘ Who’s there?’ asked a woman’s voice from the other
side.
    ‘ It’s me, Red.’
    There was a
long pause. Red shuffled nervously.
    ‘ What do you want?’ she asked, her voice sounded very
wary.
    ‘ Stella, I know you probably don’t want to see me, but I’m
really in a bit of trouble. I need a room for a few nights. My
friend can pay for both of us,’ said Red, his voice becoming more
urgent.
    ‘ You owe me a fortune, Red!’ she shouted angrily. ‘Stay
somewhere else!’
    Red rubbed the
back of his neck. He nervously looked at the door for a few
seconds. ‘Come on, Stella, just a few nights. Then I’ll never
bother you again.’ There was only silence. He knocked again a
little harder.
    ‘ Go away, Red!’ she shouted.
    ‘ Oh, come on. Please, Stella, I really need your help this
time. Remember the good old days when we worked in the circus
together. Come on, just a night...or two. Please, Stella. You know
I’ll pay you everything I owe you when I can.’
    There was a
silence that lasted about half a minute. The door opened a few
inches. Eben could see the face of an attractive young woman with
dark hair cut to her shoulders, a fair complexion, and large green
eyes. She stared out at the two of them unsympathetically. Her eyes
narrowed as she looked Red up and down. She then gave a slight
bemused smile.
    ‘ Red! What happened to your clothes, and why are you wearing
those ridiculous rags?’ she asked as she opened the door wider. Red
smiled widely and stepped into the large common room of the
tavern.
    ‘ Great to see you again, Stella,’ he said, giving her a hug.
She gave Eben a slightly suspicious glance as he stepped through
the door. She then closed the large oak door and bolted it with a
big iron latch.
    ‘ Only two nights, Red,’ said Stella firmly.
    ‘ Sure, I get the picture. We won’t bother you at all. You
won’t even notice us.’
    ‘ Good,’ she said. ‘You can stay in rooms four and five
upstairs. Don’t forget to make the beds when you leave and change
the sheets,’ she added. ‘And just one last thing: you’re not hiding
from anyone here are you?’ she asked, giving Red a doubting
look.
    Red took a
step back. ‘Hiding from someone? What? Why would I be hiding from
anyone? Whatever gave you that idea?’ He winked at Eben.
    ‘ If I find out that you’re taking advantage of my hospitality
I’ll throw you to the streets where you belong,’ said Stella in a
hardened voice.
    Red laughed
from his belly, ‘I really would like to see you try to throw
me.’
    Stella turned
on her heel and marched out of the room, slamming the door as she
exited. Red looked over at Eben with a wide smile.
    ‘ She’s your friend?’ asked Eben.
    ‘ Yeah,’ answered Red. Eben realised that there was some
history between them and thought it best not to ask any more
questions. He took his backpack up to room five which had a small
window with metal bars and a narrow bed. It was a simple but
comfortable room. He set his backpack down against the wall and lay
down to rest.
    **
    Eben awoke to
the smell of eggs and onions cooking. He got up, put on his
clothes, and then walked down the stairwell to the common room
where Red was chatting to Stella who seemed much more relaxed than
she had been the night before.
    ‘ Would you like some eggs, Eben?’ asked Stella as he
approached the bar.
    ‘ Thanks, that sounds great,’ replied Eben, taking a seat
beside Red.
    Red had some
new clean clothes and had trimmed his shaggy beard into a neat
style, but he had left his hair long.
    ‘ What’s your plan for the day?’ asked Stella, looking to
Eben.
    ‘ I’m actually in Ancora to find answers about my
heritage.’
    ‘ Red did say something about that,’ said Stella, handing