Crystal Keepers Read Online Free Page B

Palace.
    â€œWhat are your intentions?” Skye asked.
    Hina turned and looked down the Red Road, where her fellow guardsmen were about to engage the Enforcers. She waved a hand, and the number of guardsmen suddenly tripled.
    â€œAre any of them real?” Cole asked.
    â€œEleven,” Hina said, her voice calm and rich.
    â€œShould we go help?” Jace asked.
    â€œNot necessary,” Hina assured him.
    Just before the clusters of horsemen collided, Hina made a curt gesture, and for a moment the Red Road beneath the oncoming Enforcers flapped like a towel in the wind. All but one of the Enforcers went down in a calamitous tumble as the Red Guard reached them.
    Cole watched as the Red Guard cut down the single Enforcer who remained mounted and wheeled to engage the fallen ones. It was hard to catch many details. The skirmish ended quickly.
    â€œYou know why I’m here?” Skye asked Hina.
    â€œNaturally,” the silver-haired enchanter responded. “My master welcomes you. He laments the passing of Callista, but believes you have the potential to surpass her in many ways.”
    â€œThe others in my party have business elsewhere,” Skye said.
    â€œWe know,” Hina said. “He’ll allow it. He would like the other heiresses to come out of hiding. I will accompany your friends to the edge of Elloweer, where Zeropolis begins.”
    â€œYou?” Mira challenged.
    â€œThe masks will enable you to elude your pursuers and get to Zeropolis,” Hina said. “But someone must bring the masks back. They are too valuable to leave Elloweer.”
    Nine of the Red Guard came trotting back down the Red Road. One pair of riders held a dark-armored captive between them by his arms. The injured Enforcer jogged alongside the horses, struggling to keep up. A second pair held another prisoner. First one of the Enforcers stopped jogging and let them drag him, then the other.
    â€œWe lost two men,” Hina said. “But we gained two captives. My master is studying their minds. Upon finding you, they sent three of their number back to report. The messengers split up and rode hard. This was one of many search parties. They did not expect to find you here. Had they known, they would have sent more men.”
    â€œSeemed like a lot,” Cole said.
    â€œThe Hunter has learned respect for you,” Hina said. “As has the High King. Many resources are now bent on finding Mira and bringing her in. This was a relatively minor show of force.”
    â€œYou can hear Trillian from out here?” Dalton asked.
    â€œAs long as I remain on the Red Road,” Hina said.
    â€œWhat of my mother?” Skye asked. “Have they information about her?”
    â€œShe lives, so far as these men know,” Hina replied. “Trillian suggests that the best thing you can do to help her would be to let your companions take the chase to another kingdom. The farther away Mira goes, the less relevant your mother becomes.”
    â€œI wish I could see her,” Skye said. “Get a message to her.”
    â€œYou will,” Hina said. “All in good time.”
    â€œDoes Trillian really want us to find the other princesses?” Jace wondered. “Or does he just want the masks?”
    â€œBoth,” Hina replied. “The masks are the greatest legacy left behind by Callista. Those in her home must be protected as well. And my master wishes you well on your journey. With the masks, crossing Elloweer should be quick.”
    â€œYou want us to wear the masks until we reach Zeropolis?” Cole asked.
    â€œMy master insists upon it,” Hina said. “Reinforcements will come searching for you. The speed afforded by the masks will baffle them. They are your best chance of shaking the Hunter off your trail for a time.”
    â€œDoes Trillian know much about the Hunter?” Cole asked.
    â€œNot directly, but he knows of him,” Hina replied. “The