Trials Read Online Free

can’t be far away.”
    “Thank you Kayti, that’s what I’ll do.”
    Aliana went into the fir woods and felt herself cloaked in a feeling of peace, quiet and gentle wellbeing. The wood smelt green, and there was a scent of moist soil in the air. She was surrounded by live nature, nourished by its calm. Ferns brushed against her legs as she walked, squirrels ran, sparrows and goldfinches flew about her head. The wood was exuberantly alive, and that filled her soul with joy. She reached the zigzagging stream and followed it to the small pond. A pair of rainbow trout shone silvery bright under the surface, and she smiled at their size. They were beautiful with their intense red, green and silver scales which honored their name. She looked carefully around, but although there was rich wild vegetation, she did not see the herbs she needed. She went on following the edge of the pond, immersed in the sweet singing of the many birds. To her ears it was like celestial music.
    She reached some high bushes and at last saw among them what she was searching for. She knelt in the thicket and deftly dug out the desired plant. She put it in a small leather bag she had at her waist, and her spirit soared; Kendas would get well: wise Mother Nature had put the means for it at her disposal. She stood up and looked beyond the high leafy branches which reached the level of her eyes at the silvery waters, surrounded by tall undergrowth and great fir trees. The morning light filtered through the sleepy trees onto the surface of the pond, smooth and clear like a forgotten mirror left by some deity in the midst of that fair wood of robust browns and piercing greens.
    Suddenly the idyllic image was shattered as a male figure broke the surface. Aliana watched with surprise as a young man, who must have been swimming underwater, came out of the pond. The water fell from his long brown hair onto his broad shoulders and firm torso. The muscles of his stomach might have been chiseled from a stone. Aliana felt herself blushing at the thought of something more interesting coming up below the waist, but instead she saw a pair of worn-out leather leggings. She felt confused by sudden feelings which she tried to subdue, but which were stronger than her will. That handsome young man whose face she could not see beneath the wet hair had a strong body and moved with nimble assurance, like a great cat in its natural environment. She saw the scars of cuts on his arms and assumed he must be a warrior. She felt sudden desire: the young man had left her breathless.
    The stranger bent over, then straightened in a swift movement, and threw his head back. His hair flew from his face, and Aliana found herself face to face with those mysterious emerald-green eyes.
    It was Komir!
    Still trying to recover from the shock and confusion of her thoughts, she heard the voice of the young Norriel:
    “Aliana, hello. Have you been there for long?”

Siege
     
     
     
    Gerart and the Rogdonian defenders waited anxiously while the Norghanians climbed the wall of the besieged Fortress of the Half Moon. And then the first Norghanians reached the battered parapets. Gerart saw a winged helmet appear atop a ladder. Taking a step forward he kicked the man in the face. The soldier was hurled back and fell on to the advancing thunderous human tide of red and white. The Prince took two more steps, then with a powerful stroke cut the thick rope which a soldier was climbing.
    “Better to use an axe,” said Count Longor, as he ran a robust enemy through.
    Gerart picked up an axe. Surrounded by his escort of Royal Swords, he dealt death among the enemies who had managed to climb the wall. Any hook or rope he found in his way he cut with the axe, oblivious to the screams of the men as they fell, crushing others on their way to the ground. The ladders were more difficult. A ladder with fifteen Norghanians on it was practically impossible to move. With the help of his Royal Swords he managed to