Malice (Faithful & the Fallen 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

not able to keep a smile twitching the corners of his mouth.
    ‘Good, that’s better,’ Krelis grinned. Behind them Krelis’ warriors were mounting up. The sun was high in the sky, now, a little past midday, the stables buzzing with
activity. Krelis’ horse danced restlessly.
    ‘I would stay longer, see what this warband you are joining is like, but I must get back to Father. As it is, it will be over a ten-night before I reach the bay.’ He winked at
Veradis. ‘We’ll meet again soon enough. Until then, make the most of your time here.’
    Veradis stepped back as Krelis pulled his horse in a tight circle and cantered away, his warriors following close behind. The sound of hooves ringing on cobblestones hung in the air.
    The young warrior stood there awhile, then turned and entered the large stable block, walking down a row of stalls until he found his grey. His horse whickered and nuzzled him as he entered the
stall. Veradis found a brush and iron-toothed comb, began grooming his horse, though a quick glance told him the stablehands had already seen to him. He carried on regardless, finding a peace, a
reassurance in the process, losing track of time.
    ‘Are you all right, lad?’ said a voice behind him. He turned to see a man looking over the partition door at him, the stablemaster who had organized the settling of their horses when
they had arrived.
    ‘Aye. I’m well,’ he answered. ‘Just . . .’ he shrugged, unsure what to say.
    ‘Never fear, lad, your grey’s in good hands here. I am Valyn.’
    ‘Veradis.’
    ‘I saw your brother leave. A good man.’
    ‘That he is,’ Veradis replied, not trusting his voice to say any more.
    ‘I remember well his stay with us. He was missed when he left, by more than one lass, if I remember right.’ He grinned. ‘I hear you’re to join Nathair’s
warband.’
    ‘Huh,’ Veradis grunted. ‘I am honoured,’ he added, feeling that he should, although right now he just felt very alone.
    The stablemaster looked at him for a long moment. ‘I am about to take my evening meal. I often sit on the outer wall. It’s quite a view – care to join me?’
    ‘Evening meal?’ Veradis said, ‘but . . .’ His stomach suddenly growled.
    ‘Sundown is not far off, lad. You’ve been in here a fair while.’
    Veradis raised an eyebrow, his belly rumbling again. ‘I’d be happy to join you,’ he said.
    Valyn led him to the feast-hall, where they quickly filled plates with bread and cheese and slices of hot meat, Valyn grabbing a jug of wine as well. Climbing a stairwell of wide, black steps,
they found a spot on the battlement wall.
    Jerolin sat upon a gentle hill overlooking a wide plain and lake, fisher-boats dotting its shimmering surface. Veradis looked to the east, following the line of the river as it curled into the
distance, searching for a glimpse of Krelis, but he was long gone. To the north and west the peaks of the Agullas jutted, jagged and white-tipped, glowing bright in the light of the sinking
sun.
    They sat there in silence awhile, watching the sun dip behind the mountains, and then Valyn began to speak, telling tales of Aquilus and the fortress. In return, Veradis told of his home, his
father and brothers, and of life in Ripa, the fortress on the bay.
    ‘Do you have a wife, children?’ Veradis asked suddenly. Valyn was silent a long time.
    ‘I had a wife and son, once,’ he eventually said. ‘It feels like another lifetime now. They died. The Vin Thalun raided the fortress, many years ago. You have probably heard
the tale, though you would have been clinging to your mother’s skirts at the time.’
    Veradis coughed. He had never clung to his mother’s skirts; she had died birthing him. He blinked, putting the thought quickly away. ‘I have heard tell of that,’ he said.
‘They were bolder in those days.’
    Valyn suddenly jumped to his feet and stared out over the plain below.
    ‘What’s wrong?’ asked Veradis, coming to stand