The Kinshield Legacy Read Online Free PDF

thing.”
    Daia lowered herself back into the chair.
    “I’ve got a mission for you,” Aminda said. “You’ll go with Cirang and… Ah, here they are.”
    Cirang and JiNese followed Lilalian in. Cirang rolled her eyes and let out an impatient sigh when she saw Daia, but said nothing.
    “A merchant and his daughter are traveling this week from Sohan to Tern with a wagon full of valuable gems. The three of you will accompany him.”
    They discussed the details of the mission: once they arrived in Tern, Daia would accept the merchant’s payment, meet with a Sister posted there to receive the fees she’d been collecting, and return to Sohan with the money. The other two women would stay to negotiate with the Lordover Tern for a permanent outpost for the Viragon Sisterhood at the city gate. Thankfully, Daia hadn’t been asked to participate in those meetings; she did not think her father would negotiate anything with her there.
    After Aminda dismissed them, the three women jogged down the stairs. At the bottom landing, they met one of their guild sisters escorting a raven-haired man with piercing blue eyes and a neatly trimmed mustache. Daia turned and walked backward, watching him as he climbed the stairs toward Aminda’s office.
    “Who’s he?” JiNese breathed.
    Cirang snorted. “Does it matter? With Aminda’s power and charm, she can have any man she chooses. That one isn’t so ugly. I would take him for an hour or two.”
    “I’d be happy with fifteen minutes,” JiNese said with a chuckle.
    Daia smiled and shook her head. To risk a pregnancy for a tryst with a stranger held no appeal, and she didn’t put stock in prevention spells. Too many women ended up pregnant in spite of them, putting an end to a battler’s lifestyle.
    “I wonder why Aminda’s sending three battlers on this mission?” JiNese asked as they walked across the courtyard to the barracks. “The journey to Tern isn’t so dangerous. Cirang and I could return with the money in another week’s time.”
    Cirang said, “Our coffer’s nearly empty. We need the money now. Besides, one of the Sisters  accompanying a priest from Keayes met three separate groups of highwaymen on the North Road.”
    “Now that a monarch is imminent,” Daia said, “brigands are scurrying to earn what livelihood they can before a new royal army puts a stop to them. Not to mention beyonders popping out of their realm at every turn. Why do you think we’re trying to establish guild posts in other cities?”
    “For recruiting more girls,” JiNese replied.
    Daia nodded. “Sure, recruitment’s important, but peace in the lands between the cities is more so. The lordovers can only do so much.”
    Cirang hung an arm around Daia’s shoulders. “Speaking of lordovers, Daia, what advice can you offer for making an impression with the Lordover Tern?”
    Daia shot her an annoyed look. “Put on a dress.”

Chapter 5

    “It’s time,” someone whispered.
    Brawna Beliril took a slow, deep breath before opening her eyes. She looked around the room at the soft lighting, the practice weapons in the rack along the east wall, the padded suits heaped in a far corner. She might never see this room again. Rising to her feet, Brawna went to the door and stopped to take one last look. She’d spent most of her time here over the last two years. The room felt like an old friend. She bowed to it, paying her respects to the lessons and philosophies it represented.
    Brawna entered the anteroom outside the training hall where seven women were gathered, each wearing a black sash around her waist. Lilalian’s sash bore the gray strip that showed she was a ranking member of the guild. All conversation stopped when Brawna entered. They regarded her with somber expressions. They thought she would fail.
    Lilalian looked her over. Brawna lifted her chin and pulled her shoulders back, hoping she looked more confident than she felt.
    “Are you ready for this trial?” Lilalian asked.