The Call Read Online Free PDF Page A

visible above it faded into the distance faster than she'd ever seen. As the village gradually became a little spot in the distance, all the rest started disappearing as well: The river, the forest where children played hide and seek, the hills which became playgrounds during mid-winter and the flower hillock.
    The feeling of freedom was still there and growing as her hair blew in the wind, but she nonetheless finally felt a lump in her throat.
    The horse carried them downhill, and the little spot in the distance vanished entirely.
    Katja turned forwards and squeezed Serdra's waist a bit more tightly.
     
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    They initially traveled east along the road, through an area Katja knew from trips to festivals, but then Serdra steered the horse off into wilder territory. She still always managed to find routes that didn't give the horse too much trouble and the beast was rather nimble for his size.
    Not that the journey could be considered pleasant. The horse seemed to have amazing stamina, given how rarely Serdra need to stop to rest and water him. Though Katja had ridden before, her backside was soon smarting badly and Serdra's back wasn't exactly a soft pillow. The woman was rock hard with thin but honed muscles.
    Still, Katja had never made a habit of whining, and as the landscape climbed and climbed she felt free like never before and forgot all else for a while. She had never been this high up before and the view was impressive. To the south she saw farms and fields, the little scrub forests which still grew in areas not yet cultivated, hills in magnificent fall colours and later in the day she could glimpse Pepple Creek and the ocean. To the north the Animal Mounts towered over them; Horse, Cat and Dog. The snow line had creeped quite low and Katja shrugged as she thought about last night's northern wind.
    Late in the afternoon Serdra suddenly stopped, tied the horse and walked up a cliff that provided a good view.
    Katja slid to the ground. She was as stiff as a board but tried to carry herself well as she joined the woman.
    “What is it?” she asked.
    “I haven't taken this exact route before,” Serdra replied with her eyes on the horizon. Then she pointed at something in the distance. “That area is too neat and orderly. It is cultivated. We will pass north of it. I don't want people seeing us together.”
    “Are you ashamed of me?” Katja asked with a smirk. “Or are you just shy?”
    Serdra was neither angered nor amused.
    “I don't want to leave witnesses to our journey. It could cause trouble later on, when word gets out about your monster-slaying.”
    Serdra turned on her heel and started making her way down.
    “Are you ever going to tell me what fearsome enemies you are expecting?” Katja asked as she followed.
    Serdra stopped, but didn't turn.
    “Well, that is the issue. Around here it could be anyone.”
    She continued on to the horse and untied it.
    “Now hold on, what kind of answer is that?” Katja asked. “Just what are you on about?”
    “Weed. It's a very persistent problem in these parts.”
    Katja crossed her arms and looked on as Serdra climbed into the saddle.
    “That's no answer and you know it!”
    Serdra met her gaze for a few moments.
    “What do you think of Baldur's Coast? What do you think of your homeland?”
    Katja hadn't been expecting that and hesitated while searching for an answer.
    “It's a simple question, girl.”
    “I... well, I don't have experience with other lands. I know the Outskirts are...” she threw up her hands, “savage, and there are endless wars in the Stone Foot lands so I'd say we have it rather good here. Why?”
    Serdra leaned a bit closer.
    “Old evil dwells in this land, Katja. Deeply rooted, and far worse than conflicts driven by greed, pride or old grievances. And if we are not careful it will swallow both of us.”
    Katja didn't know what to say. This woman was annoyingly adept at causing such a reaction.
    “I'm not going