Quintana of Charyn Read Online Free PDF Page A

Lucian. Because you see her everywhere.
    ‘Jory, you cross the stream and see what you can find out.They’ll trust you. Remember, no accusations. I don’t care what the camp leaders say, we cannot have Kasabian and the others thinking we believe they hurt one of our own.
    ‘Yael, you watch Jory from one of the trees and holler for me the moment there’s trouble. Lady Beatriss, Tesadora and I will continue down this side of the stream and see what we can find. We’ll meet you back here.’
    As they travelled further downstream he could see Phaedra’s people in their caves through the copse of trees.
    ‘She would never have come this far,’ Beatriss said when they were deep within the woods. ‘Perhaps … perhaps she tried to cross the stream. The ice is beginning to melt on the mountain and the force of it could have carried her away.’
    ‘Beatriss,’ Tesadora said firmly, ‘she swims better than any child we know.’
    Lucian doubted greatly that Vestie was swept away by the stream. Lucian knew that teaching Vestie to swim was the first thing Trevanion had done for Lady Beatriss and the child she bore during the curse when they were reunited three years past. It had created a bond between the Captain and his former lover’s child. Today, they were a family and the union had been one of the most joyous occasions for Lumaterans.
    Suddenly he saw a movement, heard the snap of a twig and the rustle of leaves and the strangest of giggles.
    ‘Vestie!’ he called out, racing towards the sound. Beatriss and Tesadora were with him, calling out her name. ‘Vestie!’
    But there was nothing. They stood a moment to listen, hearing only the sound of a bird mocking. Then he saw the movement again and Lucian was running, leaping over half-fallen limbs, avoiding the tree shoots that caught at his ankle.
    ‘Vestie!’
    ‘Vestie!’
    ‘Vestie, my love!’
    Lucian continued his pursuit until he heard the sound of heavy breath, rasping for air. But it was not the breathing of a child. He stopped, and held up a hand to Tesadora who appeared close behind.
    ‘Vestie, it’s Lucian! Are you hiding?’
    Beatriss entered the clearing and Tesadora placed a finger to her lips.
    ‘I’ll not be angry,’ Lucian said. ‘I promise, Vestie darlin’.’
    He knew she was close, but not alone, and that alarmed Lucian more than he cared to admit. He took a step closer, and there he saw them. Huddled in the hollow of a tree trunk. A girl with crazed eyes held a hand over Vestie’s mouth. A bloody dagger was clasped in her other hand.
    He heard Beatriss’s cry behind him and he saw Vestie look up, startled to see them all. Startled, but not frightened. Beatriss rushed forward, but the strange girl snarled, and Lucian gripped Beatriss’s hand and dragged her gently behind him.
    ‘Please don’t hurt her,’ Beatriss begged the girl. ‘Please.’
    Lucian moved towards the girl, a hand at the scabbard of his sword. He knew with certainty that he would slice this wretch’s hand clear off her body if she didn’t let go of Vestie at his command.
    ‘Vestie, step away from her,’ he ordered gently. Vestie stared at the sword and suddenly began to weep, confused. Was she waking from walking in her sleep? He moved closer and the most savage of sounds came from the girl, and she held the dagger out before her, waving it in Lucian’s face. He retrieved his sword from its scabbard slowly, not once losing eye contact with her.
    ‘Lucian, come back,’ Tesadora ordered. ‘You’re scaring them.’
    But Lucian refused, and when he almost reached them, thesavage girl clenched her teeth, dragging Vestie deeper into the hollow of the tree.
    ‘Lucian, please stop,’ Beatriss cried. ‘She’ll hurt her.’
    Lucian shook his head, refusing to move away.
    ‘Do not let me have to explain to Trevanion why I put my sword down while someone held a dagger to his daughter.’
    Tesadora walked before him. His hand caught her arm to pull her backwards,