Shadeborn: A Book of Underrealm Read Online Free PDF Page A

will not argue. Only see that you remember this in the days to come.”
    Loren stood before lowering a hand to help him. “I will.”
    Xain glared sharply up at her; then the moonlight showed him her smile. A wry twist came to his lips, and he took her hand to rise.  
    Together, they strode for Northwood, and the wizard flicked a finger to douse the embers behind them.

four

    The next morning, everyone hastened to leave. They had all seemed happy enough to remain in Northwood, but once spurred to action Loren thought they seemed relieved to be back on the move. All of them, save Chet, had spent many weeks riding from one place to another. A welcome respite, but soon their feet were itching for road.  
    While Albern fetched supplies from town, Loren and Chet went to the inn’s stable to ready their horses for travel. Midnight gave a great cry as she stepped into sight. Loren smiled to hear it. The horse was wise beyond the custom of beasts and must have known they were preparing to leave.
    “Still your braying, you nag.” She patted Midnight’s nose with affection. “I have kept you waiting but a few days.”
    “Look at the way she nuzzles you,” said Chet, eyeing Midnight with appreciation. Loren had told him of how she had come to steal the horse. “She has taken you for her own, and no mistake.”
    “I took her, you mean.” Loren fetched a brush from the wall and took to Midnight’s coat, though it appeared near flawless already. “I suspect she thinks different; I am her master and not the other way around.”
    Loren grew quiet, looking at Chet from the corner of her eyes. She had been meaning to ask him something for a while. Now despite her sudden urgency, she found the words not wanting to come.
    “Chet,” she said slowly, carefully. “What will you do? Once we leave, I mean.”
    His eyes widened briefly before narrowing tight. He pushed himself from the wall and rested a hand on Midnight’s flank. “Why . . . I mean to come with you, of course. Unless my company is not welcome, though I had hoped it would be.”
    Loren felt a flush of joy, though she tried to still it. Chet had heard much of their journeys but not all. He could not truly understand his decision, or imagine its implications.  
    “Of course you are welcome. And nothing would make me happier than for you to join us. But I would not have you come out of obligation.”
    “Obligation did not make me leave the Birchwood. I wanted to follow you. How often did we wish to leave the forest when we were younger? How many lands did we see in our dreams, day upon day, longing only to walk their roads ourselves?”
    “Yet in all my daydreams, I never foresaw the peril that has plagued me since leaving. And though I would like nothing more than your company, I am loath to bring that peril upon you, with you unaware. Dark things hound us, Chet, darker even than I have known.”
    He paused, idly scratching Midnight’s side. “Things the wizard told you? Is that why you make ready to leave with such haste? Are you sure you can trust his words? Mayhap your fear is misplaced.”
    “’Tis not. If what lies ahead is half so terrible as what I have left behind, it will be a road more perilous than any you have traveled to get here. I will walk that road with you—but only if both your eyes are open.”
    “They are,” he said, shrugging. “I can handle myself in a fight and have learned to ride a horse. What else would I do except take the road beside you, traveling as we always meant to?”
    “This is not some fanciful journey. You must not take the road if you think so.”
    “You have told me of the danger, Loren. That is enough. I still mean to come, unless you wish to lock me in these stables or tie me to the trunk of some tree.”
    Loren gave a lingering sigh. “Very well. We will take you into our company, and happily on my part. But know that if you ever wish to turn aside and go your own way, no one will think less of you. And you