Cyrion Read Online Free PDF Page A

whined.
    “So, when you both are done with your dinner, I suggest we turn in and get an early start tomorrow. If you’re serious about rescuing your family, we have to do it before they reach the main group, because once they do,” she shook her head with ominous gravity, “we’d have no chance at all of succeeding.”
    * * * *
    Anya turned her head toward the snap and crackle of their dying campfire as heat exploded pockets of sap trapped within the wood. Must remember to add more before I turn in. In silence, she watched the human boys sleep by the light of the moon.
    The large blond one, named Saul, snored. He lay spread-eagled on his back, with the camp blanket tangled around his legs. The dark-skinned smaller one called Jon was on his side, one hand tucked under his cheek and the other resting on the hilt of his enchanted dagger. Anya didn’t tire of watching them because their humanity reminded her of Mother.
    Well, maybe not in terms of manners . At least, not Saul. Although Jon was entirely too controlled for her liking.He needed to loosen up more, in her opinion. Maybe she could teach him that . And in return, he can teach me about controlling myself .
    She drew her knees to her chest and hunched her shoulders. Eyes squeezed shut, she summoned memories of the last place she could truly call home. To the casual observer, home was a small limestone cave set on the side of large hill, deep in the forests, beyond the reachof most game trails. The narrow cave entrance was half-hidden by masses of trailing vines and curtains of moss.
    Only she and her parents knew of the false wall at the back of the cave. Past the false wall and through a twisting rock-lined passage that smelled of fertile earth, was the real main chamber. A familiar wave of homesickness washed through her. Her father’s enchanted mirrors made the natural light skip and dance throughout the cave, as though it was something truly alive. The kitchen and dining room were to the right of the entrance passageway, while the sleeping and cleansing quarters were across, on the other side of the central chamber.
    To the left was her mother’s marvelous study, with its numerous dusty tomes, written in a babble of languages. Anya could almost hear her mother’s chiding voice when she balked at reading yet more books. Knowledge is power you can use. The more you read, the more you know. And the more you know, the more you can use. Keep reading, lovely one.
    When that inevitably failed, her mother would bribe her to keep reading for “just another hour” with sweet treats. From raspberry-laced sweetened iced creams, to syrup-glazed sour cherry tarts. Her mother’s sure-fire bribe was cake made with her precious hoard of cane sugar, covered by a paste made of roasted almonds, finely ground and mixed with honey, and studded with candied quince. Anya’s eyes burned with unshed tears. Her mother passed away over a century ago. She still missed her every day.
    Mother, look. I’ve made friends. Human friends. Just like you. You’ll like them. I did exactly like you taught me. Although I haven’t met another cyrion in all my years of wandering. We cyrions are cursed with long lifespans. You were right about that. Especially if I truly am the last of my kind.
    I offered these human boys hospitality and a safe place to rest their heads. Their families must be nice also. You always said children reflect their upbringing. I’m sure their families are proud of them. I’ve kept control and tried to conduct myself well. Have I made you proud? I think I have.
    Anya’s brows furrowed and her eyes snapped open. The boys’ families! So many human settlements burned to charred husks by the goblins and then left populated by naught but ghosts. The goblins’ targets were always isolated, always with no one left behind to report to the kings or barons. Or whoever is currently in charge. Even nosy Watchers.
    She bit her upper lip. What are the goblins up to? What made