Trail of Fate Read Online Free Page A

the dust and dirt out of his breeches.
    â€œMademoiselle, I assure you: if I wanted someone dead, they’d be dead. It was a warning shot, a diversion to give Maryam a chance to act. It appeared you were holding my friend prisoner,” he said.
    I interrupted, hoping to change the subject and defuse the situation.
    â€œRobard, where did you come from? How did you survive the storm? How did you find me? Us? And where is your bow?”
    Truth be told, I still didn’t know much about Celia and her group. They had yet to show me anything other than a sort of abrupt kindness, but they still made me wary. Considering we were outnumbered, I thought it best that Robard remain armed.
    â€œWe followed your tracks from the beach. The boat broke apart, but we managed to cling to a piece of the decking and were blown ashore. We found a set of footprints on the beach, thinking it might be someone from the ship, then discovered six riders had surrounded whoever made them. In the woods where the Frenchman knocked it out of my hand,” he replied dutifully.
    â€œAnd with such paltry information you decided it was necessary to attack us?” Celia snorted. She was not easily pushed off point.
    Robard looked at her and smiled.
    â€œMy mistake, mademoiselle. Please accept my apologies,” he said, bowing gallantly.
    Maryam sheathed her daggers and gave me a hug so fierce I thought it might push all the breath from my lungs.
    â€œTristan, are you hurt?” she asked.
    â€œI wasn’t,” I groaned at the intensity of her embrace, which had reawakened the aches and pains I’d suffered in the shipwreck. Finally her hands rested on my upper arms, and she looked me up and down. Celia studied Maryam intently. Forgetting her anger with Robard, her face clouded as she watched Maryam inspect me.
    â€œNo, Maryam. I’m just sore from being battered about by the waves. I’m fine. Really.”
    â€œPraise Allah!” Maryam said.
    It took a few minutes of explanations and questions back and forth until everyone was satisfied. Celia introduced everyone in her troop, but Philippe sulked off near the horses by himself. Once Celia had explained everything, they were willing to let bygones be bygones, all of them smiling and having another good laugh over the dog so ferociously attacking Philippe.
    â€œ Mon dieu , that was funny,” Celia said. “Poor Philippe. Such a vicious little creature!” The dog jumped down from my arms and twirled at Celia’s feet, barking happily. Celia scooped her up and rubbed her ears and muzzle. Traitorous cur!
    â€œHow adorable,” she said. The dog licked her face. “What a sweet little angel. What is her name?”
    â€œHer name? I . . . uh . . . Her name . . . It’s . . . her name . . .”
    â€œYou don’t know the name of your own dog?” she asked.
    â€œI haven’t had her very long . . . ,” I stammered.
    â€œHow long?” Celia demanded.
    â€œNot . . . since we left Tyre a few days ago . . . really . . . She just tagged along . . . and . . .”
    â€œAnd you haven’t given her a name ?” She was incredulous. “Poor little thing.” She smiled and cooed, “Sweet little angel.”
    â€œOf course she has a name! It’s . . . um . . . Angel. Her name is Angel!” I said.
    Celia arched an eyebrow in disbelief. I held her gaze.
    â€œIt certainly fits,” she said, giggling as “Angel” resumed attempting to lick her to death.
    â€œWhat happened to Captain Denby and the crew?” I asked Robard, wanting to change the subject from my poor stewardship of the newly christened Angel.
    â€œLost, I would expect.” He shrugged. “His sorry excuse for a ship came apart like parchment. There were no signs of other survivors on the shore except your tracks. We’re lucky the wind blew us all in the same direction. We completely lost sight of you when you went into the