The Vaetra Chronicles: Book 01 - Vaetra Unveiled Read Online Free Page B

room. He glared at his visitors.
    "What could possibly be so important that it has to be dealt with before the first light of dawn?" he shouted. The secretary cringed in his corner, but echoed his master's glare at the interlopers.
    Sulana replied calmly. "We're leaving at dawn and I need to know something before we go. It's important to my mission."
    He motioned his hand in a circle, encouraging her to continue. "Well, out with it then. What do you need to know?"
    "I need to ask you about Jaylan Forester," she replied.
    The captain's brow knitted in confusion. "How is he involved?" He looked over at his secretary for enlightenment, but the secretary shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
    "It seems our thief hired Mister Forester to help him find the missing partner," Sulana answered.
    The captain stared at Sulana for a moment and considered her words. Then he spoke slowly and carefully. "That seems a bit unusual, but it fits with Jaylan's work for Raven Company. I still don't see what you need from me."
    "I need to know if Forester is reliable. I understand he used to work with you, and I want your opinion as to whether or not involving him in my mission puts it at risk. If I take him on the search for the missing partner, would he be a help or a hindrance?"
    The captain looked thoughtful as he went over to his desk and sat heavily in the chair behind it. He folded his hands behind his head and responded. "Jaylan is sharp. A little too sharp, and a little too enthusiastic. He annoyed the wrong people and paid for it with his career. But he's an honest man and I would still trust him with my life. Is that good enough for you?" The captain finished with a huge yawn that his large fist barely covered.
    Sulana smiled. "Yes, Captain, that's exactly what I needed to know."
    Captain Pollard pushed himself out of his chair and headed toward the door to his chamber. "Good. Go away then. Good luck on your mission."
    As the captain left the room, Sulana spoke loudly at his retreating back. "Thank you sir, I appreciate your taking the time to see me." The last two words were cut off by the slamming of the chamber door.
    Sulana turned to the secretary. "Thank you for your help as well. We'll be on our way now."
    The secretary made shooing motions with his hands. "Yes, yes. Please go now. I'll have to prepare a special breakfast for the captain when he rises again and hope that helps him forget this little interruption."
    Sulana and Daven both laughed and let the secretary usher them out of the captain's office.

Chapter 4
    I sat at my favorite table in the serving room the next morning, hands cupped around a steaming mug of coffee, a rare and expensive indulgence for me. I held the mug up in a brief salute to Dela, who had just brewed it for me. She smiled and left the serving room carrying a tray of dirty dishes.
    Coffee beans traveled by caravan all the way from Xelapai, a land far to the south, across a route that was fraught with bandits and dangerous wilderness creatures. The Snow Creek Inn rarely had an opportunity to purchase the beans, but while we had them, the rich and stimulating drink they produced attracted some of the area's more affluent residents.
    I blew on the hot brew and took a sip, thinking about the day before me. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I frowned as I thought back to last night's confrontation with the Agents of Whatever.
    I needed more information. Running off on a hunt with people I knew nothing about added a level of risk that made me uncomfortable--thus the need for a bolstering coffee. I nodded to myself as I concluded that I needed to get some things straight before we headed out, aggressive agent notwithstanding.
    As if on cue, the serving room door opened and Agent Delano walked in.
    She spotted me immediately and headed my way, three men trailing behind her. The pale morning light reflecting in through the door and the windows showed me details that I couldn't see during our encounter last