Altered Destiny Read Online Free PDF Page A

her cheeks and gently pressed against his torso checking for broken ribs.
    “One maybe two.”
    Oren promptly handed her a long, thin piece of cloth.
    “Hold him steady.”
    He gently lifted the Svistra.
    Selia leaned over to wrap his torso, getting closer than she was comfortable doing. A rich spicy scent wafted in the air. She leaned closer. Herbs and something tangy she couldn’t name. Then she gasped. His back was a series of crisscrossed bloody welts. “They whipped him.”
    Oren peered over the Svistra’s shoulder. “Bad men.”
    “Yeah. Lay him back down for now.”
    “He sure is bruised,” Oren said. “Who were those men beating him up?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Could they have been from Commander Nathan’s group?”
    What if they were? How could she explain three dead soldiers near her land? Then she relaxed. “They didn’t have the sign of the bear anywhere on them.”
    “That’s good.”
    “You’re telling me. Hand me the cloth, and I’ll clean his back. Then we’ll finish wrapping those ribs.”
    “Er…what does he eat?”
    “Broth for now I think.”
    “I mean, isn’t he going to need…”
    The enormity of what she’d done struck Selia. Her stomach churned. “No. I mean if he does he’s out of luck, isn’t he?” She wrung out the bloodied rag. The water was now pink.
    “I guess so.”
    Selia cleaned then smeared salve across the Svistra’s back. Together, she and Oren bandaged his ribs.
    Oren stood. “I’ll go get him one of my old shirts. You know, from when I was little.”
    “That’s a good idea. His isn’t worth mending.” She fingered the material. It was a fine weave, better even than theirs. She brought it to her nose. Even dirty and bloody, the Svistra’s scent lingered on the cloth. “Will you get him some broth and the willow bark tea? We might as well see if he can eat.”
    Oren nodded. “Are you…”
    “I’m fine. He’s not going anywhere.”
    Selia watched Oren until the door closed. She narrowed her eyes then jumped when the Svistra moaned. Without thinking she laid a hand on his brow. “You’re safe now.”
    His eyes fluttered and opened long enough to display tawny-gold irises before he closed them again.
    By the Trickster, what have I done?

Chapter Three
    Despite occasional rumors of Svistra, business remained brisk as villagers frequented the tavern to swap the latest gossip. If they traveled in groups and left earlier than usual, it suited Selia. She had been perpetually exhausted from the moment she’d rescued the Svistra.
    She absently wiped down the already clean counter as she surveyed the tavern. Spluttering lanterns flickered over the men drinking and playing Reveal or Battle at the tables. Even if she didn’t know them by sight, it was easy to tell the locals from the Inlanders.
    The locals bought their clothes from Jim, the weaver. He spun and wove his own material and if he put a few more elaborate stitches than strictly necessary to hold the garments together, no one complained. They were well made and with unmistakable flair. Jim used to be a highwayman; at least that was the gossip, but he’d fallen ill and collapsed when attempting to rob an old weaver. The man took him in, cleaned him up and taught him the craft. Jim never stole again.
    The backdoor opened then slammed shut. Selia jumped. The nearest customers stopped drinking and stared. She nodded and continued her needless ministrations with the cloth.
    She had entrusted the care of their patient to Oren. It wasn’t necessary for both of them to tend an unconscious, wounded man. For the most part, Oren completed his added task without complaint or remarking about it, for which she was grateful. The more they spoke about it, the greater chance of someone overhearing. But in the night, when the tavern was quiet and sleep eluded her, she wondered if Oren’s silence meant something else. He’d always reported on how his patients were doing. If he was going to, the Svistra