Lachlei Read Online Free PDF

creatures from Areyn’s realm. Demons capable of destroying lives. The Lochvaur had fought against such creatures in the times before the Truce between Areyn Sehduk and Rhyn’athel. Maybe there was one left in this world.
    But the wars between the gods happened over two thousand years before. Would a demon be lurking within the Shadow Mountains all these many years without the Lochvaur knowing of it? Somehow, she thought it unlikely.
    “Lachlei!”
    Lachlei turned to see Cahal and Kellachan striding towards her.
    Cahal’s face shown with worry. “We’ve been looking for you,” he said.
    She smiled. “I’m sorry, Cahal, but I needed some time alone,” she said.
    He nodded. “I understand — but you shouldn’t be without your guard.”
    She sighed. “Cahal, I don’t need a guard any longer. I am not in power…”
    The two men exchanged glances. “You will be,” said Kellachan quietly. “The Council has voted unanimously that you remain queen until they decide on challengers.”
    Lachlei stared. “How? Who nominated me? Didn’t you tell them…” Her voice trailed off. “Gods! Kellachan!” she swore, her eyes glowing with anger. “You didn’t tell them!”
    “No, I didn’t,” Kellachan said quietly. “But I didn’t nominate you. Laewynd did. No one else contested, and no one else was nominated.”
    “I wasn’t consulted!”
    “Lachlei,” Kellachan said. “Who else is there?”
    “There’s you,” Lachlei said, but the words sounded false, even to her ears. “You’re first-blood…”
    “I have no power,” Kellachan replied. “You know this — you and your son are the last of Lochvaur’s true heirs.” He paused. “Before you married Fialan, you were the greatest Chi’lan warrior we’d seen in many centuries…”
    “Fialan was,” she stated.
    “You were equals,” Kellachan said. “You simply deferred to Fialan because you loved him…”
    Lachlei stared at her cousin, shocked at his words. “How dare you!” she snarled when she found her voice. “Fialan is barely dead and you mock his memory!” She turned and stormed off.
    “Lachlei!” Kellachan began, but Cahal gripped the Chi’lan’s shoulder.
    “Wait. Let me talk to her,” Cahal said.
    Kellachan nodded. “Make sure she’s ok — we don’t need anything to happen to her.”
    Cahal nodded and followed her. “Lachlei!”
    “Leave me alone, Cahal,” she said, turning around.
    “Wait — hear me out,” Cahal said. “Lachlei — the Chi’lan are leaderless. Without a strong first-blood, the Lochvaur will be vulnerable to the other kindreds.”
     “I don’t want the throne.”
    “Then, all the more reason you should be our queen in the interim,” Cahal said. “You won’t abuse the power.”
    Lachlei shook her head. “Cahal, I can’t…”
    “Why?”
    “I’m not the warrior Fialan was — there’s never been a woman champion,” Lachlei said.
    “Perhaps it’s time there was one,” Cahal replied. “We have always had women Chi’lan — why not a champion? Until the Council chooses a champion, or until one wins in trial by combat, you’re the only one who can keep the Lochvaur together.”
    “Trial by combat? A champion hasn’t been chosen like that in centuries.”
    “Maybe they should — that’s how Rhyn’athel chose his champions in earlier times.”
    Lachlei smiled wryly, wiping her eyes. “Don’t tell me you believe in those old stories?”
    “Why not?” Cahal said with a shrug. “I do believe that I am looking at his next champion.”
    “I’m sure others have something to say about that.”
    “Perhaps,” he said. “Let’s go. Your warriors await you.”

CHAPTER Eight
     
    The weeks that followed were difficult for Lachlei. With her appointment to queen in the interim, she had to rule the Lochvaur and perform her duties as Chi’lan as well. Laewynd, the head of the High Council, seemed content to take over her administrative duties, and for that Lachlei was thankful. Yet,