Kingdom's Quest Read Online Free PDF Page A

King’s authority I release this slave to your care!” he exclaimed as the last binding fell from Keanna. She did not move.
    The crowd laughed and resumed their heckling. Gavinaugh wasnot angry but felt pity for the woman, for the people, for the whole land. They did not understand that the consequence of their folly would be great. He walked and stood before Keanna.
    â€œYou are free to go,” he said gently.
    Keanna looked into his eyes with an anger that Gavinaugh did not understand. She lifted her hands and looked at the raw rings about her wrists. Then she reached back and slapped Gavinaugh across the face with all her might. The crowd erupted in laughter as Keanna jumped from the platform and frantically pushed her way through the crowd. Once clear, she ran down the open street.
    By now a full contingent of guards had surrounded the platform.
    â€œLeave at once or you will die!” the auctioneer commanded.
    Gavinaugh jumped from the platform. He and Weston exited peacefully and retreated to their horses.
    â€œThey are all fools!” Weston said.
    â€œNot all,” came a voice from behind them.
    Gavinaugh and Weston turned to see that four men had followed them from the crowd.
    â€œWe heard your words and know that there is truth in what you say. We want to hear more,” one of the men said, and the others nodded their agreement.
    â€œI am Gavinaugh. This is Weston.”
    â€œI am Turner. This is Aldrich, Denley, and Reed,” the man said as he pointed to each of his friends.
    â€œWe will gladly tell you all, gentlemen. Is there a place we can talk?” Gavinaugh asked.
    â€œYes. Just up the street on the left I have a shop,” Turner said.
    Gavinaugh nodded. “Very well. We shall meet you there shortly. I need to find the lass that took flight and try to help her.”
    â€œWe will assist you, but our chances are slim. She is as slippery as a fish,” Reed said.
    â€œWhere might she go?”
    â€œPerhaps to steal food … perhaps to the country. It would be wise if we split up and met back at my shop before dusk. It’s just over there,” the man said and pointed to his shop.
    â€œVery well.”
    Gavinaugh and Weston mounted their horses and galloped in the direction they last saw her run and then split up at the next thoroughfare. Gavinaugh was confused by the girl’s reaction toward him and wondered if looking for her was really such a good idea. He rode by a bread shop and saw the owner swearing and looking up the street.
    â€œHas a young woman been by?” he asked.
    â€œYou mean the wench who stole my bread?”
    Gavinaugh reached into his pocket for money to pay for the bread. “Which way did she go?”
    The man indicated up the street, and Gavinaugh rode in that direction. He slowed his horse to a walk.
    â€œCan you help me, Triumph?” he said. The animal snorted.
    A little farther up, Triumph stopped between a candle maker’s shop and an inn. Gavinaugh dismounted and slowly walked between the wooden and stone structures to the alleyway behind. He could hear two pigs foraging in a nearby heap. Just behind the inn, he saw Keanna ravenously eating the bread. She was hunkered down on the ground with her back to him.
    â€œWould you like some water with that?” he asked.
    Keanna startled. She jumped up and began to look for a way to escape.
    â€œPlease don’t run … I want to help you.” He offered his water flask to her.
    Once again she stared hard at him. She cautiously took the flask and drank heavily, never taking her eyes off Gavinaugh. She ate and drank some more.
    â€œWhere are you from, Keanna?” he asked.
    â€œNot from this wretched place,” she said between bites.
    Gavinaugh could not help feeling great compassion for her. She looked as though she was slightly younger than he. Although she apparently was capable of violent action, he wondered what her story was