Grace of the Goddess (The Death Dealer Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

commanded, but he did have their respect. The squat, bowlegged man had white hair and a scraggly beard he hadn’t bothered to trim in days. He wore the same uniform as the other guards, but over his he sported a leather jerkin and fine, if worn out, riding boots. The sword belted around his waist was of a fine make, from the finest swordsmith in Escion. It had a sapphire inlaid in the pommel, the only piece of finery Leon ever bothered to own.
                  The men respected their commander, and in turn, that respect extended to Grace. Some may not have liked his niece joining their ranks, but they knew better than to say anything about it. Slowly, Grace proved to them she was a worthy comrade. She took the worst guard duties when Leon would try to place her at gate duty. She mucked the stables and ran errands in an effort to show them she was not a lady anymore. She was a guard, whether or not her uncle was the guard commander.
                  Leon cleared his throat and the men who were circled around him fell silent. “A frosty morning, isn’t it lads?” There were some grumbles and a few chuckles. “I’ve not much to say this morning. The servants are busy at work preparing for Sir Calvin’s wedding, and we must do the same. Those of you with patrols through the woods will be expected to check the wolf traps. Game was scarce again this season, and I’ll not have those beasts coming into town again looking for food. Try to chase them south, but if they show aggression, kill them.”
                  The entire winter before, the guards hunted wolves through the forests. The poor animals didn’t have enough food to sustain their packs and so they turned to humans to survive. As such, two young children had been caught unawares. Grace knew it was important to drive the wolves off, but she felt wrong attacking the chosen animal of her patron goddess. It was the only duty she refused to perform.
                  “Any who have sword training, we’ll be working from horseback today. You’ll be responsible for your mount. If any stable hand comes to me with tales that a horse has been neglected, you’ll be spending some time sleeping with the beast to make sure it doesn’t take ill from misuse.”
                  Grace shuffled her feet. She was not set for training today. That meant port duty.
                  “Those going into town for the monthly shipment, see to it that no unsavory folk get off those ships. We have a lot to worry about with the wedding, and I don’t want strangers with ill intent lurking around.”
                  From the castle entrance, something caught Grace’s eyes. She looked past Leon to a lithe figure in a white nightgown, ambling toward the guards. Grace’s breath caught in her throat and she noticed she wasn’t the only one to switch attentions from Leon. Her uncle turned around and the crowd behind him parted to award him a better view. Grace saw his fists clench.
                  “Leon, dear,” the figure called across the courtyard. “I wonder if you might know when Daniel is set to return?”
                  Leon swung around and pointed at Grace. “Go on, see to her.”
                  Without needing further instruction, Grace trotted through the circle of men to retrieve the woman.
                  Goosebumps covered her arms; the thin nightgown did nothing to keep the cold out. The woman had graying blonde hair she hadn’t bothered to comb, and it hung down her back in a knotted mess. She was frail and small. Though she was a few inches taller than Grace, the young woman could have easily carried her mother inside.
                  “Mother, it is too cold for you to be out here.” Grace took her mother’s hand and turned her back the way she came.
                  “Gracie, why are you dressed like that? If your