The Forgotten King (Korin's Journal) Read Online Free PDF

ignore that.
    “Til’, I need to ask you something,” I interrupted, running a hand through my uneven chestnut hair.  Feeling my hair’s choppiness made me recall Sal’s butchering attempt at giving me a magical haircut when I’d first met her.  It took a couple of controlled breaths to hold back the tears that began to form at the corners of my eyes. 
    Til’ went silent and looked to me expectantly.
    “What was that back there?” I questioned, gesturing to the city behind us.  I licked my lips, but my mouth was too dry to work up any moisture.  “By Olith’s blood, I thought you were about to kill someone.  That’s not like you.”  Olith is the god of vengeance. 
    Til’s excitement faded, his eyes dropping.  “I . . . I don’t know,” he began sheepishly.  “I just found myself wanting Galius dead.” 
    Til’s admission shocked me.  The Kolari value all life.  Granted, I’d seen him slay eldrhims, but they were monsters that had been trying to kill us.  Hell, even killing a rabbit for one of our meals once had involved a prayer to Loranis afterwards. 
    “Galius is the reason that Bhaliel is dead,” he continued sullenly.  “If he’d never stolen the egg . . . I just . . . I just kind of snapped for a moment.  If I hadn’t been tied up . . .”
    I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.  “Til’, it’s okay.  Galius did cause a lot of problems, but remember, if he hadn’t stolen the dragon egg, Bhaliel would’ve never found it, and Xalis wouldn’t have been hatched.  The egg would still be buried back in Isaeron, and no one would’ve ever known what it truly was.  I’m positive that Bhaliel would rather have had things turn out this way than to have Xalis forever kept from the world.”
    Til’ nodded, giving me a weak grin.  “You’re right, Korin.  I’ll try to keep my head from now on.”  He tucked his windblown hair behind his slightly pointed ears, shifting his gaze to the north.  “So, what’s the plan now?” 
    What was the plan, indeed.  We had no money, no food, and no supplies.  Our faces were smeared with blood, and our dirty, smelly clothing had definitely seen better days.  We wouldn’t be able to enter any towns without drawing unwanted attention in our present condition.
    I briefly considered trekking back to the McAlwains for help, but that would’ve taken us out of our way and wasted precious time.  Besides they’d already done so much for us with so little given back in return.  I hated the idea of asking for more.  That, and I still wasn’t sure how to tell them that we’d collapsed part of their ancestors’ shrine to the god of livestock.
    “I don’t know,” I admitted.  “We should probably find some water to get cleaned up and have a drink before we’re completely dehydrated.  I suppose we could then head to Geeron and plot our next steps from there.”  I took in the road leading north from Byweather.  “Maybe we can find someone on the way who’ll be willing spare some food or a few coins.”
    “Money’s no concern,” Til’ said with a sly grin, his eyes gleaming mischievously.
    I almost laughed.  “Well, we have none, and we’ll need it to get to Tahron,” I responded.  “That’s a valid concern in my book.  Plus, I don’t like that look you’re giving me, runt.  We’re not stealing anything, okay?” 
    Til’ gave me an affronted scowl before slipping back into a grin.  Instead of voicing an immediate answer, he jumped to his feet and offered his hand to help me up, even though his head barely came up to my chest. 
    “First of all, I already told you that I’m tall for my race, which is more than you can say for yourself,” he grunted as he pulled me to my feet.  He had me there.  “Secondly, remember, I’m a Kolarin.  Leave the money problem to me.” 
     
    ****
     
    Til’s idea for getting us back on our feet for the trip to Tahron was based on getting to Geeron first, but we