Once We Were Kings (Young Adult Fantasy) (The Sojourner Saga) Read Online Free PDF Page A

must make haste."
    The birds, now encircling her, stood perfectly still.  As she unpacked her food, preparing to give her entire meal to her avian friends, a rustling in the bush caught her attention.
    Chittering into the sky, every bird flew off.
    Ahndien called into the thicket.  "Hello?"  There was no wind, so someone or something must have been there.  "Please, show yourself."  She reached for her waist and unsheathed the sword that mother did not know she'd taken.  Her mouth grew dry.  The rustling drew closer.
     

 
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
     
    Ah-Ba!" Shao-Bao cried out, ran and leapt into his father's open arms.  For all his shortcomings as a husband, Myanwu conceded that he always redeemed himself many times over as a father.
    "Shao-Bao, be careful.  You'll hurt your father's back."
    "Beloved," her husband said wrapping his free arm around her shoulder.  He kissed her forehead.  "Forgive me for arriving early without sending word."
    "Nonsense, Bai Juang," Myanwu said, her ears warming and not from the midday sun.  "How was the symposium?"
    Bai Juang set his son down and pulled a toy bird made of bright colored feathers and handed it to him.  Shao-Bao squealed in delight when his father pulled a string and the bird began flapping its wings.
    He turned to Myanwu, and though his smile remained, the light in his eyes was dimming.  "I have been away from my family for two weeks.  I don't want to bore you with matters which do not concern you."
    "Husband," Myanwu said, slightly hurt.  "I only meant to—"
    He stood and regarded her sharply, then moved his eyes to Shao-Bao.  For a moment, Myanwu could not understand his reticence.  Apprehension hollowed her stomach.  He only acted that way when—
     "But where is my little Empress?" said Bai Juang, a warm smile washing away the tension.  Myanwu let out the breath she'd been inadvertently holding.
    "Ahndien has gone to gather Kia roots.  Did you not hear her flute?"
    "Ah, I thought that might be her," he said and put his pack of books down.  "Perhaps I should go join her."
    "Ah-Ba?"  Shao-Bao said, now whimpering.  He was facing down into his cupped hands, sniffling in little hiccups.  When he looked up at his father, two large tear drops rolled down his plump cheeks.
    "What is it, little warrior?"  he said and knelt down to open his hands.
    "It's broken," he sobbed.  "Won't fly anymore."
    "Ai!" Myanwu scowled.  "You always break every new toy your father—"
    Bai Juang held up a hand, took his son into his arms and let him bury his face into his shirt.  "Do not fret.  Nothing that has been damaged is beyond repair."
    Would he spoil his son as he had Ahndien? 
    "Run along, son.  I will repair this for you later."  From his bag, he produced a small picture book and handed it to Shao-Bao.  "I believe I made you a promise before I left?"
    His wet eyes opened wide and his frown inverted.  "The Dragon Adventures of Kronis the Great!"  The boy hugged his father's neck and ran into the house.  "Thank you, father!"
    Bai Juang straightened up and smoothed the wrinkles in his cloak.  He turned to Myanwu and shrugged with repentant eyes.  "I know what you are going to—"
    "Bai Juang," she said, sharply curbing her indignance.  "Would you simply fix everything for your son, rather than teach him to take care of his property?"
    "He will learn."
    "Not at this rate."
    "He needed comfort."
    "You always chose the heart over the head."
    Bai Juang put his elbow in his hand, rubbed his dark beard and pondered this.  His eyes deepened and his lips pulled thin.  Then he stepped over to his wife and put a strong arm around her waist.  "I choose the heart over the head because it was the only way I could win your hand."  From behind his back he pulled out a Golden Fire Orchid.
    And the walls fell.
    She wanted to remain angry at him for leaving her with the children for weeks at a time, for being more devoted to his cause—a dying one at that—than to