Outcasts of Velrune Read Online Free PDF Page B

mean Max will. It’s his dream to be like his father, to be a Protector.”
    “Don’t you remember how well Max’s father treated you? Max got to see that, and Mr. Penna has done everything to teach that boy how to make up his own mind about things. Max has also had you, Eve. He’s seen someone first hand fight for what they believe in. He’s even had a lacarnian risk her own safety for him. A thing like that is not easily dismissed. Can I promise you what Max will ultimately do? No, but he deserves a chance; the same chance you want for yourself. Until then, if you care about him that much, fight for him like you did all those years ago, no matter the cost.”
    Eve’s voice steadied. “But, how am I even supposed to get into Moenia? A lacarnian can only enter with their owner.”
    “I’ll transfer ownership to Mr. Penna or Max.”
    “No!” Eve bit her lip and looked down. “I mean, I’ve never belonged to anyone else.” Eve stamped her foot and stared back at Mrs. Tassi. “And I don’t want to either! You’re my mother.”
    Mrs. Tassi let go of Eve’s hand and stood up, smiling. “There’s my girl. Eve, that piece of paper never legally made me your mother, only your owner, and you know it. Your father and I decided you’d be our daughter and not some slave. I tell you right now, as long as you’ll have me, I’ll be your mother whether I own you or not. Now, I’ll take care of the details with Mr. Penna. You hurry up and go pack. There isn’t much time.”
    Eve got up from the chair to walk towards her room. The sound of her mother’s agitated voice stopped her. “Oh, and Eve, for goodness sakes, get rid of that mouse or take it with you. But whichever it is, don’t you dare leave it here.”
    A smile formed once again on Eve’s face. The anger in her mother’s voice sounded a little too forced.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    The first light of dawn had appeared in the eastern sky when Max and Mr. Penna arrived at the stable. Tyco was waiting for them next to his horse, his things already packed.
    “The stable master has Starlight saddled up for you, Max. I’ll help you get your gear fastened. As for you, Mr. Penna, he has a couple of horses for you to choose from. He’s in the back of the stable.”
    Max walked up to Starlight. “I sure hope Starlight will be okay. I’ve never taken her on such a long ride before.”
    Mr. Penna laughed. “She will be fine, Max. She has seen far more country than you can even imagine. After all, she was the one that brought your father here so many years ago.” Mr. Penna turned and started for the stable. “Now, I shall go and see what our fine stable master, Hektor, has for me.”
    While Mr. Penna sought out Hektor, Max inspected Starlight. He never grew tired of looking at her. Her coat was pitch black. Here and there she had small white circular patches. From those circles, thin, short strips of white hair stretched out in various directions. These patches closely resembled the stars shining in the night; thus her name, Starlight. Her coat, well groomed over the years, still held a beautiful shine. Max had a feeling Hektor loved her as much as he did.
    Tyco helped Max fasten his bedroll and traveling pack onto Starlight’s back. He brought the most basic of necessities. Max was tightening the last strap when Mr. Penna came out of the stables riding a rather plain looking brown mare.
    Tyco furrowed his eyebrows. “I’ve never seen that horse before.”
    Mr. Penna chuckled. “She belongs to a merchant in Moenia. The mare injured her leg when he was here a few months back. He left her with Hektor to mend. Hektor took good care of her and now she’s ready to be returned to the merchant. Seeing how we are going to Moenia, I volunteered to deliver her.”
    Tyco grimaced. “In other words, you got a free ride.”
    Mr. Penna winked at Max. “Precisely.”
    Tyco mounted his own horse, Teak, a large brown stallion with a white blaze of