Tagan's Child Read Online Free PDF Page A

playing along.
    “As long as it
takes for my people to remove the threat,” Ahran said with little
emotion.
    “And how would
you do that?” I asked not sure I wanted to hear the answer. I was
from a rural community in East Sussex, nothing like this ever
happened.
    “Until Bazeera
is overthrown,” he replied matter of factly.
    I had a sinking
feeling that overthrown was a euphemism for being killed. It all
sounded rather too serious and dangerous. What had we found
ourselves in the middle of?!
    I tried to
reason with him. “Surely the police can deal with this. If Toby’s
life is in such danger then the police or special branch or whoever
deals with this kind of thing should be able to do something about
this Bazeera.”
    He frowned and
shook his head. “There is no need to involve the police. We are
capable of dealing with our own problems.”
    I still wasn’t
convinced that they weren’t part of the mob. I stood up and started
to pace the kitchen. “I can’t take Toby out of school, away from
all his friends and everything he knows to go off with a stranger
for an indeterminate amount of time.” I stopped in front of him.
“Besides I’ve got a business to run.” I hoped that I might be able
to convince him he was being melodramatic.
    “I don’t think
you quite understand what Bazeera is capable of,” he warned.
    “Maybe not, but
we can’t just walk away from our lives.” I took a deep breath and
tried to calm my nerves and temper my frustration. “Look, you’ve
got to try and see this from my point of view. A guy I’ve never met
before turns up on my doorstep and tells me that my nephew is a
prince and heir to a fortune and that his life is in danger from
some power hungry woman because she wants vengeance and a slice of
that fortune.”
    Ahran shrugged
and shook his head as if to say, ‘And your point is?’
    “It just all
sounds too far-fetched and why should I believe you anyway, you’ve
not provided me with any hard evidence.” I hoped by talking some
sense I would be able to convince him that his story was too absurd
and that he really shouldn’t believe everything he is told
either.
    I moved towards
the door. “Now if you don’t mind, I have to go somewhere.” I felt
more resolute, this sort of thing just doesn’t happen in real life.
Denial was the best policy until I had proof. “If you can provide
me with some irrefutable evidence that what you say is true then
perhaps we can talk again.” I had no intention of putting Toby at
any risk, but this was Hatherley, the most criminal thing that ever
happened here was fly-tipping in a field gateway.
    Ahran ran his
hand over his hair in frustration. He went out into the hallway
where I’d hung up his jacket and then came back into the
kitchen.
    “Look, take
this.” He handed me a small rectangular tablet.
    “What is it?” I
eyed it suspiciously.
    “It’s a cell
phone.”
    “I’ve got a
phone thank you.”
    “You will need
this if you want to contact me.”
    Somewhere in
the back of my mind I wondered why he couldn’t just give me his
number. “You obviously need some time to think about this. In the
meantime, if you feel threatened in any way, do not hesitate to
phone one of the two numbers programmed into it. I can get here
quickly if necessary. I will give you two days and then I will come
back for you both.”
    I’d had enough
of arguing with him. “I’m sorry I really am going to have to go.” I
tossed the phone on the table as if accepting it would make
everything he had just told me true.
    I followed him
to the front door and offered my hand. “Well Mr Elessar, it’s been,
er, interesting, and if there is anything I’m worried about you can
rest assured I will give you a call.” I was pleased I had come up
with a sensible plan amidst this madness.
    Ahran looked at
me intently. “I mean it, we haven’t got long. If anyone new turns
up in your village, or threatens you or Toby in any way, you must
call me