Dragon Frost Read Online Free PDF Page B

confess striding
across the foyer; I push open the door and enter the midday filled
streets with carriages, wagons, horses, men and women dressed in
suits and gowns. The noise present, ever annoying.
    “ Which
is?” he asks.
    “ You’ll
see.” I say and lead the way. We ride on horseback this time since
it will be quicker. Varden questions the sudden change in
transportation. I scowl. I hadn’t said much since we left nor have
I answered his simultaneous questions since I know what possible
conclusion he’s jumped to. He remains quiet on our journey to
Wither Falls Gorge. Several hours pass and we set up camp, the
night is cool. Before we left I had bought Varden warmer clothes
since, we’ll be arriving at the Order well after the first snow
fall.
    We sit in
silence, eating the chicken soup I had prepared, there were times
like this I am grateful I could both hunt and cook. There’s no
surprise really, sometimes Knights are stranded on the front line
of a war side by side with whatever planets’ Military. When you
have very little food and water; hunting and gathering is your only
way to survive at unfortunate times. Though, once you’re done,
hunting and gathering in one spot, you continue and move on. The
crackling of the flames is evident gently in my ears. “So how much
further?” he asks through his spoonful of soup.
    “ Not much
further, just at the end of this gorge.”
    “ It’s a
big gorge.” he confirms as he regards the massive cliff walls
around him where the forest sits still enclosed in a large silver
stone bowl around us, from under his clothed sash he wrapped around
his features to protect his pale skin from burns. However, it
wasn’t as effective as I hoped it would be. I touch my nose once
his gaze rests on me. “Oh that . . . it’s nothing, just a sun
burn.” he brushes it off. Still he has no freckles or moles like
some people I’ve come to know his skin is ridiculously clear that I
notice can’t even tan.
    “ Do you
need some rub?” I ask he looks at me with confusion. I pull out a
silver circular dish and move from where I am over to him. This is
something I’ve kept in my utility belt from my world but use it
generously since I have no idea when I’ll be able to return home. I
remove the lid and dip my scaleless finger where my suit
successfully recedes around my wrist, into the transparent gel. I
rub the cream onto his nose attentively. I had no idea why I was
doing it, maybe because I never burn, nor do I tan. He tenses and I
stop. “I’m not hurting you . . . am I?” he shakes his head and I
finish applying the rest and hand it to him. “Use this for wounds
or burns. It cleanses and heals the skin.” I point out and move to
the opposite end of the campfire. I notice his face is still red
but even more so.
    He really is
odd.
    “ Th-thanks.” he stutters and I nod. I knew what I did but I
couldn’t bring myself to stop. Next time I’ll try not to act so
impulsively. That was so out of character for me. I compose myself
and continue eating my meal. The night is calm for several moments
and I reflect back on the several encounters I’ve had so far. I
have no idea why but every just seemed so set on having the
package. I’m starting to wonder what it is. I haven’t even been
told what it is and I’m a high ranking officer. That is something
that annoys me more than anything. “What’s your name?”
    “ What?”
    “ Your
name.” he urges with a straight face.
    “ Kalverya.”
    The next
day, we ride again, this time we are silent. The air is packed with
an uncomfortable silence that I can figure where it came from—I
refuse to allow myself to fall to such
vulnerability.  It’s pointless. I’d rather take a bullet than repeat that
imprudent urge.  The
air is thin and I pull my horse up. Varden stops beside me. “What
is it?”
    “ Something’s wrong.” The forest remains stagnant around us,
the dirt trail we roam down remains motionless and the air is