Covenants Read Online Free PDF

an accord, Lord Rabbit," Laurel said. "Unanimous."
    My mouth fell open.
    "We will declare war if these raids do not stop."
    My mouth closed with a snap.
    "Honored Moraina was most eloquent about becoming part of some apothecary's potion or lordling's boots." Laurel finished his tea and set his own cup down. "And the moon season will start soon."
    Suiden frowned. "Moon season?”
    "It's the time from the first full moon of spring to Midsummer's Eve where the haunts of those betrayed and murdered appear, sir," I said, politely ignoring Groskin's start at the mention of ghosts.
    "I would think that the dark of the year would be more the time for hauntings," Suiden said.
    "The four seasons align with the four aspects, honored captain," Laurel said. "Fire and summer, air and fall, water and winter, and earth and spring. It is earth that governs the dead as it is the substance from which we are made and to which we return." His ears went back against his head. "And each year there are more and more of the slaughtered—" He broke off and took a deep rumbling breath. "However, your father spoke prudence before the High Council, Lord Rabbit. Honored Two Trees was equally eloquent about the, hmm, bloodiness of war, so the High Council has decided to see if the problem could not be resolved by diplomatic means. By reminding Iversterre of its treaty with us. I was chosen.”
    "But why are you still here?" the captain asked. "Why were you waiting for us instead of going on to me Royal City?”
    "The Council realized that even my lone presence in Iversterre could upset its denizens. They felt that an escort from the kingdom would ease things and so I was charged to have Lord Rabbit accompany me.”
    Feeling the weight of Captain Suiden's stare, I swallowed and cast him a quick look—and blinked, as his eyes seemed to be glowing in the gloom of the tent.
    "So why Rabbit?" the captain asked. "There's a large garrison at Veldecke, right on the Border. You could have gone there for an escort.”
    "Where do you think the runners are coming from?" Laurel asked. "Do you think that the town's elders haven't noticed the trees, slaves, pelts and other contraband showing up in their marketplace? Being ferried down their roads? The garrison is most diligent, as you surely are, in their patrols. Do you think that they haven't seen what is being carried out of the Border?" His ruff bristled. "Perhaps I would've received an escort. Or perhaps I would've ended up stuffed and mounted in some lord's hall."
    Not bloody likely, I thought.
    "However, Lord Rabbit's family is known and respected throughout the Border," Laurel said, "and here he is kin to two powerful Houses of your kingdom.”
    Captain Suiden turned his stare on Laurel. His eyes were glowing. He picked up the teapot and poured another cup, adding just lemon. "Why didn't you say something when you fast met us, then? Why this waiting and guessing game?”
    "No game, honored captain. After your adventures, you were too upset to hear anything I had to say. If I remember correctly, you accused me of planning to eat you and your men, and Lieutenant Groskin had a novel idea of how to cover up both that you were lost and that his horse liked me.
    While Groskin found the bottom of his cup very interesting, Suiden waved his hand at these mere details.
    "But if we didn't return? What would you have done then?”
    "I would've gone to my second plan," Laurel replied. "Which was my first until I found you wandering up here." He watched Suiden open his mouth and cut him off. 'To go into the town and speak with your commander.”
    "I'm just a farmer's son from the Border, Laurel Faena," I said, setting aside the images of pandemonium and riot that his plans evoked, "no matter how my da stands before the Council. I can't see how my presence would help, but I can easily see how it could hinder. A lot.”
    "Farmer's son, true," Laurel said. "But you are also the nephew of Lord Chause, thirty-two lines to the