Forsaken (Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book 8) Read Online Free PDF Page A

sticking her foot in her mouth. “She’s a fine teacher.”
    Banon Havelock laughed. Hard. “Oh you are funny, Juliska.”
    She never meant to be, and no one else thought so.
    “I hadn’t meant it to come out like that, it’s just, she may be in her seventies, but she gets around just fine.”
    “Yes. She does, without a doubt. However, this task, though I fully expect it to be uneventful and not dangerous, does have the potential for… difficulty. She thought about it, very seriously. But made her final choice today. The problem is, for this task to proceed, I need a seer. A good one. And frankly, you’re the best. You are good at what you do. I’ve never seen anyone better.”
    Juliska opened her mouth, but it took a moment for words to form. “You really think that?”
    “Of course. That’s why you’re Second Seer… next in line to serve the Banon, whether that be me,” he hinted strongly, “or someone else after PanSofia decides to retire.”
    Juliska had worked hard. Studied hard. And she’d been given the title of Second Seer months ago, but to actually hear the Banon say this overwhelmed her.
    He leaned forward and tapped her knee, lovingly.
    “I’ve always been very fond of you, Juliska. And you work harder than anyone I know. I don’t need a vision to tell me what kind of future lies ahead for you. I couldn’t be prouder if you were my own daughter.” He let go and leaned back wearing a wide grin.
    “Thank you, Sir. That means a lot to me.”
    “And if your father were here, I have no doubts he’d say the same.”
    It was sad to think of him. Gone a year now. She missed him terribly.
    “I guess we’re finally at my reason for asking you here. Juliska, will you do this task for me? It means being away from the island for a month. And I cannot tell you in all honesty how difficult the job will be. It could be utterly boring. But if you do this for me, I will consider it a personal favor. I’ll make it worth your while upon your return.”
    She looked at him questioningly. There was something he knew… her intuition would bet on it.
    He shook his head. “This is why you’re the best. Such intuition. You can read it all over my face, can’t you?”
    “No. Not at all,” she lied poorly.
    “PanSofia hinted to me today, after giving it much thought, that she may retire soon.”
    “She… what? Really? She hasn’t mentioned that at all…”
    “I think my asking her to join in on this task made her think about her age. Being a seer… it’s not so unlike being me. You’re on the job twenty-four-seven. She deserves a time of quiet.”
    “Yes. Of course. She has been First Seer going on thirty years.” Juliska reeled over what this meant. She knew when PanSofia retired she was next in line to be the Seer to the Banon, but she didn’t think her mentor would ever quit. She was a work until you die kind of woman.
    “So?” the Banon looked at Juliska expectantly.
    “Sorry, I got lost in thought for a moment. That’s a lot to think about all of a sudden.”
    “You don’t have to give me your answer about the task straight away, but I do need an answer by tomorrow night. The task begins in just a few days.”
    “That fast?”
    “Yes. PanSofia did wait a very long time to let me know she was turning it down.”
    “I see. I don’t need any additional time. I will do it. My answer is yes. Whatever my Banon needs, this is what I’m here for.”
    “Splendid! I knew you would not let me down. Now… I’ll send you some instructions for preparing, shortly. Until then, have a wonderful birthday with your family. Oh and also, we have to keep this whole thing under wraps for a couple more days. I’m making a big public announcement so everyone will find out about it all at once, right before you leave.”
    “Of course. My lips are sealed. And thank you. ” She arose and nodded a quick goodbye. He walked her to the door. She left, breathless, her nerves a flutter of excitement and