Rachel Rossano - The Theodoric Saga Read Online Free PDF Page A

slipped between the cover flaps and into the chill of the evening.
     A light blanket of snow frosted the ground. Eve’s shoes offered little protection from even this dusting. By the time she started a small fire, she could no longer feel her toes. Shaking against the cold, she broke the thin layer of ice in the water bucket and poured the liquid beneath into the kettle. She set the pot close to the fire, soaking up the warmth of the flame. The potatoes would be a welcome treat if she baked them in the coals.
    She quietly climbed back into the wagon to find Labren awake and digging through one of the trunks. He looked up when she appeared. “Where are the bundles…?” He clamored across the crowded wagon bed to claim her hands. “You must be frozen. What are you thinking going out without an extra layer?” He massaged her frigid fingers with his gloved ones.
    “I don’t have one.” Her teeth knocked together as she spoke.
    “Yes, you do.” Frustrated at the clumsiness of his gloves, he removed the offending items. He warmed her fingers with one of his large hands while reaching toward a nearby trunk simultaneously. “I bought outer clothing that I thought would possibly fit you when we were in town. Now where are those packages?”
    Before Eve could protest, he bundled her into a coat two sizes too big. He produced mittens and boots, both of which were larger than needed. Only after he had found woolen socks and a scarf for each of them, did he stop to examine her.
    Eve immediately spoke up. “It is not cold enough out to merit all this. Besides I could not possibly do chores in these; I would ruin them.” She held out the gloves for his inspection.
    “Nonsense.” Labren waded through the mess again, so that he towered over her. “You will wear them for as long as I say you need them. I bought them for our use.” Eve indignantly straightened to his commanding tone. She was about to speak her mind. Labren stopped her by placing his warm fingers against her cold mouth.
    “I try not to issue commands very often, Eve. But when I do, I believe I have a right to your obedience. Let me be a good husband in at least this way.” His face was kind; however Eve sensed he would not back down on this point.
    “I will use them. I need to finish preparing breakfast.” She gathered the potatoes and climbed over the side. She hated to admit it, but she needed the extra protection the coat gave against the wind.
     
    Two weeks passed in dragging monotony. Traveling by night, sleeping by day, Labren watched the pace wear down his body and the concern grow in Eve’s eyes. Every time she redressed his wounds or glanced his way, her worry pulled at her brow. He hated seeing the tightening of her mouth and her turning away to hide what she thought.
    So, when they discovered a traveling caravan one morning as they searched for a campsite for the night, he made a decision.
    “We should join them if we can.”
    He pulled at the reins and guided their horses over to the side of the road. Ten wagons camped about twenty feet away. Amber and gold cooking fires lit the gray dawn within the circle. Men and women moved around them, most likely eating their morning meals.
    Handing Eve the leads, he climbed down from the seat.
    “What about our rest? You have been driving all night.”
    He waved away her objection and strode off toward the wagons.  “Keep the horses still.  I will be right back.”
    His arrival at the fringe of the camp caused a small stir.
    “What business do you have here?” a young man demanded, stepping out from the shadow of the closest wagon. He stood at least as tall as Labren, but still had the lankiness of youth about his limbs.
    “I wish to speak to the wagon master regarding joining your caravan.”
    “You come alone?” The man looked past Labren to Eve.
    “No, my wife,” the word still sounded foreign to his tongue, “and I are traveling toward Ana City. Where are you headed?”
    “As far as