The Dragon Hammer (Wulf's Saga Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

teenager. It took elves a very long time to mature into a grown-up.
    Saeunn led Ulla the rest of the way down the corridor until they emerged into the outside kitchen, a single large room with four huge fire hearths for cooking. The dim glow of the half moon outside filtered through the kitchen’s high-set windows. After the complete darkness of the corridor, there was moonlight.
    Moonlight!
    Saeunn was drawn to it like a cat to catnip. She stepped into a spot where the moon was shining through most brightly. To be touched by pure moonlight felt good to an elf, like a nice, long bath might to a human—only this feeling was a lot more intense.
    “Uh, Saeunn.” Ulla nudged her gently. “Moonlight’s got you again.”
    Saeunn started. She blinked her eyes hard and shook her shoulders to bring herself out of the shallow trance.
    “Sorry,” she said too loudly, then continued in a whisper. “I’m back now.”
    “I swear you might stand there the rest of the night if I didn’t say something.”
    “I might. You’ve seen me do it before.”
    Ulla nodded. “Okay, now for the scary part,” she whispered. “Can you hear the bailey guard?”
    Saeunn went to stand behind the kitchen’s wooden door, closed her eyes, and listened closely for a moment.
    The crunch of leather-soled boot on gravel. Clank of mailed shirt. Blowing of breath by a cold man trying to warm his cupped hands.
    “Cold as a well-digger’s butt,” muttered a low voice.
    It was Morast, who sounded like he gargled with gravel.
    “He’s near the middle of the courtyard,” Saeunn said.
    Ulla moved up beside Saeunn. She stared at the kitchen door as if she could see through it. “Is he moving toward us or away?”
    Saeunn lifted a hand to tell her to wait. “Give me a moment.”
    The flap of the banners and flags upon the battlements. The yawn and sigh of the guard. Then the crunch of boots getting softer, farther away.
    Saeunn turned to Ulla. “He’s headed to the other side of the bailey with his back to us. Let’s be very quiet and really quick.”
    Ulla nodded. The two girls worked together to open the kitchen door with as little noise as possible, and then only enough to let them to slip out.
    They kept to the edge of the bailey and worked their way past the different trade stalls. When they passed a stable, Saeunn heard a horse start and stamp. She knew this horse.
    “Soft now, Slep,” she whispered toward the stable. “Everything’s all right.” Slep evidently heard her, because she settled back down.
    Finally they arrived at their destination. Their hearts were racing, but neither girl was breathing hard. Despite her delicate looks, Ulla was in good condition. She spent a lot of time outdoors riding, walking, and climbing to spots where she could work on her paintings. She got plenty of exercise. Ulla did tend to tan, and so she had to keep herself well covered even in the hottest weather.
    Saeunn glanced through the crack in the stall door of the smith’s shop.
    Yes, the bell ringer was tied off to the side. If it weren’t, they might get a nasty surprise when the iron triangle tolled.
    She quietly tugged on the string attached to the wooden latch on the inside and pushed the door open. Ulla slipped inside, and she followed.
    “You’re finally here,” said a low male voice from the rear of the shop.
    Ulla stepped into the light cast by the banked coals, her face beaming. “Told you I’d make it.”
    From the shadows stepped Grer Smead, Raukenrose Castle’s chief smith.
    He was a commoner. Ulla was a duke’s daughter.
    Humans and their rules. Saeunn shook her head.
    This could be a major disaster in the making.
    Or something amazing.
    Or both.
    Ulla stepped into Grer’s arms.
    Then they kissed. For a long, long time.
    Saeunn stepped back toward the forge to give them more privacy. The heat from the glowing coals felt good against her back.
    Finally Ulla turned her head from Grer and looked over at her. “You should go to bed