Enflamed (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

likes you ’cause
you’re a fiddler—and fiddlers are s’posedly dangerous. No one likes us,
mate—we’re outcasts! Ain’t that a soddin’ shame? ... Oh, th ’
water got changed this mornin’.”
    Kaijin peered at his
reflection in the water. His short, thick red hair stuck up haphazardly like
wildfire. His tanned face had lost its boyish charm and good looks—replaced
with a weathered, tired face that looked haunted. Damn, how did I let myself
get like this?
    He began taking off his
once-flamboyant noble robes, which were dirtied and frayed at the hems from the
many days’ travel. Keeping his back to Nester, Kaijin glanced over his
shoulder. “So what’s this ‘help’ you need from me?”
    Nester rocked himself in the
hammock as he thought. “Well, you see, contrary to what you’ve probably ’eard
about me, I’m an explorer— an ... an obtainer of rare
antiquities. Aye, that’s it. My Uncle Nickle’s a merchant, you see, but th’
poor sod’s gettin’ on in years. ’E wants me to take over th ’
family business, but I ain’t got nothin’ valuable to sell. So, I’m ’opin’ to
find a trinket or two to get th ’ business started
again.”
    Kaijin scoffed. “By stealing?”
    “Nay! I ain’t a prigger—I’m an explorer !”
    “I fail to see the difference
in your words.”
    “I swear on my pa’s grave I ain’t
priggin’ no one for somethin’ like this! It’s too easy
to do that, anyway. Uncle Nickle ran ’is business sellin’ stuff ’e found on ’is
adventures. Well, ’e did have fast fingers, too, but ’e really loved th’ thrill
of explorin’. Anyway, priggin’ ain’t bad if no one knows you’re doin’ it—that’s
what my pa used to say.”
    Kaijin’s head was starting to
throb. He rubbed his temples. “Look, just get to the point, will you?”
    “Well, I was gonna do some
explorin’ outside o’ town,” Nester said. “There’s this place about a day’s
travel southwest that I’ve been wantin’ to visit since
I came to Faywald a week ago. Some ruins are supposedly there that were once
used by th ’ foresty blokes a long, long time ago.”
    Kaijin was about to get into
the tub when he paused. “What’s so special about some ruins?”
    “Th’ foresty blokes are an odd
bunch, they are, but I’ve ’eard they sometimes tend to ’oard a few trinkets.
That’s where you come in. I need you to ’elp me search th ’
ruins and ’opefully find somethin’ worthwhile.”
    “Forget it. I’m not a thief,
and I don’t intend to pillage some ruins in the middle of nowhere.”
    “‘ Explorer ’!” Nester corrected. “We’re doin’ explorin’ !
Besides, you said you’d ’elp. A deal’s a deal, aye?” He rolled on his side and
closed his eyes. “Now, I’m gonna catch me a few winks. Tomorrow’s a big day,
y’know. We’re gonna find us some treas—ah, that is, find somethin’ amazin’ in
those ruins for my Uncle Nickle’s business, aye!”
    Kaijin sighed and got into the
tub. Letting the cool water settle over him, Kaijin half-listened to the
brownie’s ramblings and began meditating on the day’s events, instead. He
stared down at the partially submerged charm hanging around his neck. Steam
rose from the fire symbol, which glowed faintly, its light reflecting
beautifully off the water’s surface. The charm felt warm against his skin, and
soon the water warmed to a soothing temperature. He sighed. How is it that
I’ve been spared from death for this long?
    “You will never understand
me, Kaijin Sora,” the fiery voice
responded.
    “Like hells I won’t,” Kaijin
said aloud, frowning.
    “Eh? You say somethin’, mate?”
    Kaijin blinked, pulled from
his trance. He looked up at Nester, who was gazing at him sleepily. “N–No,
sorry, I was just thinking to myself.”
    “Well think quieter, will
you?” Nester rolled back over and closed his eyes.
    Kaijin resumed his bath. He
sensed Miele’s presence nearby. He spied the faint flutter