Sea Queen Read Online Free PDF Page B

his guilt and his worries, and enjoyed the familiar friendly banter. They all seemed to relax for the first time since escaping, and even though they likely had people searching for them, no one would have known by the laughter and merriment echoing throughout the windmill.
    After some time, Chief bounded into the tower, startling the group and reminding them of the peril they were still in.
    “What is it, Chief?” Talon asked.
    The spirit wolf moved to the northern wall and pawed at the stone.
    “People coming from the north?” Tyson asked.
    Chief barked once.
    Tyson took control. “Alright, everybody, let’s get going. Douse the fire and cover it with dirt. We have to move!”
    Talon, Tyson, and Chief rushed outside as the other three went to covering up the camp inside the windmill. Together they peered around the corner, looking north toward the wheat and corn fields. Talon found no sign of the search party, but he knew they weren’t far away. Soon the others joined them and they took off to the southwest, through the forest.
    “We need to find a stream or river to cross in case they got them hounds with them still,” said Tyson.
    “Is the ocean water enough for you?” Talon asked. “As I said before, I’m returning to my search.”
    “We can’t go back north just yet.”
    Talon stopped. “Then I’ll be seeing you. I’m returning to the coast. Come on, Chief.”
    As he turned to leave, Windy jumped in urgently. “Wait! We might need the wolf again to shake them off our trail.”
    Marcus and Thorg nodded agreement.
    Talon glanced to the north and sighed. “Listen—I helped you escape from the slavers. I’ve shared my food…I’m sorry, but I got my own troubles. You’re welcome to come with me, but my road runs along the coast.”
    Marcus, Windy, and Thorg glanced at each other in silent agreement and stepped forward to join him.
    Tyson glared at them all as if insulted, but quickly replaced his scowl with a wide smile and said, “Whatever the group wants to do.”
    Talon nodded, and Tyson returned the gesture curtly.
    “Alright, Chief, back to the coast. I want you to scout ahead. Return if you see anything,” Talon instructed.
    Chief barked and ran off.
    They traveled through the forest and soon came to the creek where the water skin had been filled. Talon stopped to fill it once more as the others drank their fill. They followed the small stream until it turned too far east, at which point Talon led them once more north toward the coast. By noon they reached the ocean and found Chief waiting for them on the beach.
    Talon guessed they were a few miles west of the town where he had found his new friends. He wondered if the slave ship had yet sailed—and if Akkeri was on it.
    “So, what are we looking for?” Tyson asked, as they stood on the beach in the hot summer sun.
    Talon shrugged. “She left Volnoss on a small keipr during the Eye of Thodin.
    “So we’re looking for a shipwreck?” Thorg asked. He received a swift slap upside the head from Windy.
    “You really is stupid as you look, ain’t you?” she said, shaking her head.
    “It’s alright,” said Talon. “We very well may be looking for a shipwreck.”
    They started off to the west, walking along the beach when they dared. Ships appeared now and again off the coast, but none of them were near enough to make out the group. Nevertheless, when they did spot a ship they moved away beyond the dunes where they could still spy the beach. Windy hummed Skomm fire songs as they went, and a few times the others joined in. Talon led them at a quick pace but no one complained. He suspected they would do whatever he asked, given that he was Chief’s master. He sensed Tyson’s annoyance over his apparent leadership, and though Talon didn’t care whether or not they followed him, he knew Tyson did. The young man barely spoke, and when asked something by one of the others, he often gave only a grunt of indifference.
    When they approached