Shepherd's Quest: The Broken Key #1 Read Online Free PDF

praised.
    “Thank you,” he replied as he took the coins.
    “Did you hear?” she asked with a smile.
    “I haven’t been in town lately,” he explained. “Something going on?”
    “Oh yes,” she replied. “Rupert and Freya are to be married.”
    “What?” he exclaimed loudly.
    “Sometime last night Rupert asked her father for her hand and he said yes,” she explained. Then she saw the look in his eyes and realized something was amiss. “Are you okay?”
    Dazed, his mind numb and heart breaking, Riyan paid her question no heed. Instead, he turned around and rushed from the building. Once outside, he searched for Freya and her father but they were no longer in sight. He then began running towards their home that set on the edge of town.
    How could she be marrying Rupert? All his life he had thought that one day they would get together and be married. He just hadn’t worked up the courage to ask her father as yet. Now there was no longer any time, he had to state his intentions and get him to change his mind.
    Several people hailed him as he ran through town, but so intent on his own inner turmoil was he, that he didn’t even know they were there. Finally, their house appeared down the street before him. He could see the front door was just closing. Running up to the door, he gave it three firm knocks.
    When it opened, Freya’s father stood there before him. “I thought you might show up,” he said.
    “You can’t let Freya marry Rupert,” he said. “He’s a terrible person.”
    “I know you care for her,” her father replied. “But I have to think of what’s best for Freya. This marriage will assure her of never having to worry about what tomorrow will bring. His family is wealthy and well connected.”
    “But…” Riyan stammered. When Freya’s father looked questioningly at him, he blurted out, “But I love her and want to marry her!” Her father’s eyes turned sad at that. “I know son,” he said. “I’ve known for awhile now that you’ve felt this way.”
    Then behind her father Riyan saw Freya appear from the back room. “Freya!” he hollered to her. “You can’t marry Rupert!”
    Her father turned around and said, “Get back in your room Freya. Riyan and I need to have a little talk.”
    She looked with deep sadness to Riyan and then replied, “Yes father.” Then turning around, she went back into her room.
    Freya’s father stepped outside and joined Riyan before shutting the door. “I like you boy,” he said. “I always have. But I can’t let that get in the way of making the best match I can for my daughter.”
    When Riyan tried to break in, he held up his hand and stopped him. “You are a poor shepherd,” he continued. “You don’t even own the land on which your sheep graze. What life could you give her?”
    “But I love her,” he asserted.
     
    “Son, in life, love simply isn’t enough.” He laid his hand on Riyan’s shoulder. “My daughter cares for you, I would hate for her to lose your friendship because of this.” Riyan snapped his eyes to his and replied, “She’ll never lose it. I just…”
    “Go home Riyan,” her father said. “Go home and work to get over it.” He then turned and opened the door. He paused there a moment before saying, “It might be best for all concerned if you don’t have any contact with my daughter until after the marriage.” Without waiting for Riyan’s response, he went back into the house and shut the door.
    In the instant it took for her father to enter the house and shut the door, Riyan saw Freya there in the hallway. Their eyes locked for a moment before the door shut.
    With the shutting of the door, his heart fell. Sadness overtook him and it was all he could do to simply keep his emotions under control. Then as he turned, he saw Rupert standing there across the street. Anger and hate burned in his heart when he saw the smug smile of satisfaction appear on Rupert’s face.
    Riyan almost crossed the street to