Sunset of Lantonne Read Online Free PDF

and looked around, getting his bearings as to where he was in relation to the target he had designated at the start of the fight. Flicking his knife at it, he hit only a hair off-center, the knife sinking to its hilt in the hay backing of the target.
    “I’ll be damned,” muttered the elder that had started the challenge. “Can we talk you out of going? I need you training these pups.”
    Raeln smiled at the old wolf and shook his head, though he kept his grip on Ishande as she continued to snarl and snap at him. After a moment, the elder threw the jingling pouch at Raeln, which he caught mid-air. Easing back onto his haunches, Raeln stepped hurriedly away from Ishande, allowing her to get up, but keeping himself well away from her.
    Looking every bit the feral animal, Ishande lifted herself to all fours slowly, never taking her dark blue eyes off of Raeln. She bared her teeth briefly and stood up, cocking her head to study Raeln more carefully. Soon, the hostile feeling that radiated off her faded and she relaxed, shaking her head in frustration. Walking up to Raeln, she patted his chest gently near the claw wounds and gave him a meaningful stare. After a moment of the two watching one another, she left him and went to collect her brother, who was only beginning to stir.
    Raeln waited until Ishande had gotten a little farther away before turning to Ilarra and smiling broadly, holding up the bag of copper. He walked quickly her way, grabbing her hand and pressing the bag into it, before leading the way back toward where the gypsy caravan waited.
    “What was that last bit all about?” Ilarra asked softly, carrying the coin pouch with both hands. She could not even believe Raeln had gotten through that fight with only a few scrapes. He had come home with far worse more times than she could remember. “That last bit with Ishande. Was she threatening to kill you?”
    Eyeing her as though he wanted to ignore the question, Raeln finally pointed toward her maiden braid.
    “That was an invitation?” Ilarra asked in surprise, louder than intended. “That’s what it takes to get her attention?”
    Raeln nodded grimly and rubbed at the cuts on his chest.
    “That girl is scary, Raeln. Promise me you aren’t going to accept that offer.”
    Giving her an annoyed glance, Raeln shook his head and held up a hand covered with blood as though that explained everything.
    “I don’t know what you like when it comes to girls,” Ilarra teased, though she felt a little sick looking at the fresh blood. “Maybe that’s your thing.”
    Raeln let out such a disgusted grumble that Ilarra decided to let the topic go entirely, allowing him to have some time to himself as they headed back toward where she had last seen her father and Asha.
    Sure enough, as they came out on the main road, Ilarra’s father was still arguing with the caravan’s man.
    Asha had mostly given up on intimidation and had retreated to the edge of the road, squatting near the path the wagons would need to take to leave, apparently intending to stop them if they tried to leave without Ilarra and Raeln. As Raeln and Ilarra approached, Asha sniffed and looked their way, her eyes widening slightly and her pointed ears perking as she stared at Raeln. The old wolf eyed his wounds and narrowed her eyes, clearly intending to scold him in some manner.
    Giving her a very subtle shake of his head, Raeln led the way over to the wagons and Ilarra’s father. He stepped right up to the gypsy who had been doing the haggling, bringing the conversation to an abrupt halt as both the wagoneer and Ilarra’s father stared at Raeln’s wounds.
    Raeln grunted, pointing at the large bag of coins that Ilarra held, before pulling his own pouch off his belt and holding it up. He pointed at Ilarra, himself, and then the wagons, after which he gave a loud huff and stared at the gypsy, daring him to refuse again.
    “Is a good deal I think, yes?” the man said quickly, snatching Ilarra’s