The Jewel of Kamara (The Delthenon Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

carriage,
ignoring the angry tirade that Madoc threw her way. They rolled forward as they
were waved through the checkpoint, and Tempani did her best to avoid staring at
the sad faces below them. Tears pricked at her eyes as she bit the inside of
her mouth in a desperate attempt to stop them from flowing.
    The
men travelling with Tempani became more alert as they got closer to the city.
They nudged their horses closer to the cart and formed a protective circle
around it with Madoc nearest to her.
    “Is
this really necessary?” Tempani asked as a group of curious bystanders shuffled
backwards to avoid being trampled by the group. “Surely my father did not
request such a close guard.”
    “There
has been trouble on the streets,” he said as he scanned the crowd. “We’re just
being cautious.”
    “What
sort of trouble?”
    “There
was a riot shortly before we left for the convent.”
    She
was about to ask why the riot happened when they were joined by a handful of
the King’s Guard. Tempani lowered her head and tried to look inconspicuous.
    Madoc
nodded to Rando, signaling for him to keep an eye on their charge, and nudged
his horse forward. His men made room for him to approach the King’s Guard.
    “For
what reason are we being held up?”
    The
Squad Leader sized him up and then straightened himself in his saddle. “Sir
Madoc,” he said. “I didn’t see you there.”
    Madoc
nodded curtly. “May we continue?” He asked. “I’m on orders from Sir Otto of
Amarill.”
    Tempani
noticed the looks pass between the Guard. Perhaps her father was not as
respected as she’d been led to believe.
    They
moved aside and allowed the party to pass through. Their eyes fell on Tempani
as she passed them, and she felt their stares on her back as they rode on.
    As
they moved deeper into the city, she noticed the health of the Kamaris seemed to
improve, so too did the buildings. Tempani shrunk back into the carriage. The
noise of the bustling streets was a shock to her ears after the peacefulness of
the convent. Bright colors hit her eyes, and strong smells wafted up her nose. Tilaw panted excitedly, his tail thumping against her
thigh, as his eyes darted back and forth. She remembered loving the excitement
of the city as a child, but now it was too much for her.
    Noblewomen
walked in groups, their heads held high as they seemed to glide through the
crowds, their servants trailing behind them. She doubted she’d ever look as
graceful as they did. A pair of young knights rode by and called out a greeting
to Madoc, who acknowledged them with nothing more than a nod of his head.
    They
picked up their speed as they moved out of the throng of travelling carriages.
Tempani breathed a sigh of relief as they left behind the noise and rolled
along the road. The homes became more scattered as land was a sign of wealth in
Kamara. Soon they were passing grand manors, and she knew they were almost
there. They descended the hill and rode around the bend, and there it was. As
beautiful as she’d remembered.
    The
gates opened as they approached and were promptly shut behind them. The manor’s
servants lined the path and staircase leading up to the front doors. They sank
into deep bows and curtsies as Tempani stepped down from the carriage. She
recognized some faces, but most were ones she’d never seen before.
    The
household manservant, Lindow, rushed forward. “It’s good to see you again, my
lady. Your father sends his apologies that he is not here to greet you in
person. He has been held up at the palace, but he asks that you make yourself
comfortable and he will see you in the morning.”
    Had
she really expected any different? “Thank you Lindow. Please prepare
refreshments for the men before they return to the palace.”
    Madoc
cleared his throat. “These are your father’s men,” he told her. “Only I’m to
return to the palace.”
    Tempani
tried to hide her shock, but she knew she failed. She wondered why her father
needed