Storm Surge Read Online Free PDF

Guardian’s horse pranced anxiously, already tacked and eager to go.
    Varest didn’t acknowledge his presence until after tightening the animal’s cinch band. “You don’t know where Father is, do you?”
    “I don’t. We leave with the camp, so make certain you’re ready.”
    Varest gaped at him in shock. “You don’t mean we’re leaving him behind, do you?”
    “We must. Get ready to ride. You’re going after your father. Ceres will remain with me, as our duty is to protect the Delrose herd. If we let anything happen to his sire or dam…” Breton shook his head. “We have no choice.” They did have a choice, but if they did abandon their duty to the mercenaries and the Delrose family, Breton didn’t want to think about how Kalen would react.
    “We can’t abandon him.”
    Breton hated himself even as he met the other Guardian’s eyes, careful to keep his expression calm. “If we can’t find him, we must. That’s why I’m sending you to look for him. Don’t get yourself killed, understand?”
    “We must leave,” a woman said behind him. At first, Breton didn’t recognize Crysallis’s voice. The witch stepped to his side. The hood of her cloak hid her face. “The coming swarm will leave nothing living in its wake.”
    Breton flinched away from the witch, his hand dropping to his sword. He curled his fingers around the hilt, considering whether or not to draw the blade. “Where have you been?”
    “Hunting skreed,” the woman replied. “Where is the Rift King? I must speak with him.”
    At the mention of the Danarite-summoned creatures, Breton bit back his initial desire to scold the witch for her untimely disappearance two weeks prior.
    “Two minutes!” someone bellowed.
    Breton cursed. Crysallis turned to face in the direction of Morinvale.
    “We’re leaving,” he announced, focusing his attention on Varest. “If your brother hasn’t already, find Maiten. Get mounted. If you see your brother before you leave, let him know he’s in charge of Verishi.” He hoped the Danarite handmaiden would cooperate; she respected the Rift King first and foremost, and her obedience to anyone else often proved optional. If she caused problems, it would cost lives—hers and anyone who tried to protect her. He wanted to deal with the girl himself, but he couldn’t bring himself to defy Captain Silvereye’s orders.
    “I’ll take care of it. What are you going to do?” Varest asked.
    “I’m going to take care of the Delrose herd.”
    “I need to speak with the Rift King,” Crysallis said.
    “If you find out where he went, do let me know,” Breton snarled at the witch. “Does he look like he is here?”
    The witch straightened. “What do you mean?” She didn’t quite shriek, but her voice rose in pitch. The hood of her cloak fell back. The woman’s face paled to a sickly pallor.
    “Just that. He’s not here. We’re leaving.” Breton glared at the younger Guardian, who hesitated. “Go, Varest!”
    Varest scrambled onto his gelding’s back and galloped off as soon as he was astride.
    “You intend to leave him,” the witch hissed at him.
    Breton drew several deep breaths until he could address the woman without screaming at her. “He’s blind because of you, witch. May some wretched God or Goddess serve as my witness, if he dies because of you, I’ll destroy you.”
    Crysallis stood tall, her dark eyes flinty. “And if I bring him back to you?”
    Breton let go of his sword so he wouldn’t pull it on the witch and break the Code by skewering her. “I will leave that for him to decide.”
    “You’re worried,” she said, relaxing a bit, a secretive smile curling her lips. “I will find you in three or so days. Listen carefully, Guardian. The swarm will come here and head west. If you go east and south, you’ll be able to avoid it.”
    After a moment’s hesitation, Breton nodded. “And you’re certain of this?”
    “The swarm will head west. North is a death sentence for