The Lord Son's Travels Read Online Free PDF Page A

made.”
    Brendan
could distinctly feel the ground move beneath him.   The only constant was the glitter of his friend's eyes,
fierce against the swirling stars around him.   Brendan felt his lips move, but no sound came out of his
mouth.   All he could do was
pantomime the name that every citizen of Allè-dôn learns at his mother's knee;
the name synonymous with hope.
    Evenral.

 
 
    Chapter 4

 
    The next
day Adrien didn’t meet again with Brendan until the evening.   Their days were filled up with the
routine chores of their profession, all necessary and none very interesting.   Adrien was required to attend a wedding
in the afternoon at the Capital of the daughter of the Counselor of the
Laws.   There he met Tarien again
for the first time since their encounter in the corridor.   They had only a second to speak
privately to arrange to meet alone the next day.   After he escaped the wedding festivities Adrien rode quickly
to the Wooden Boot where Brendan was waiting.  
    They
greeted each other warmly and returned to their customary seats in the corner.   Until their drinks arrived they chatted
lightly about details from their work day.   The tavern was busier than the previous evening.   A new group of tradesmen were singing
loudly off key and waving their cups at Rene.   Bendelbert was behind the counter serving a set of bewildered
young farm boys, who were presumably in town for market day in the
morning.   A few better-dressed
travelers huddled woefully out of place at a table near the door.   They looked unsure whether it was worth
the probable wrathful outburst from their host if they attempted to sneak out
and find a house of better repute.   Here and there a few regulars were scattered about, engaged in the
silent business of hard drinking.
    "What
news?" Brendan asked, after the first gulp of his ale.   Adrien shook his head, pulling off his
cloak to reveal his formal uniform. The soft sheen of the black silk blouse
caught the eye of a few of their nearest neighbors, but they didn't recognize
the somber face above the loosened collar. He had stashed his ceremonial empty scabbard
in his bedroom chamber at the Capita before departing.  
    Brendan
had changed from his uniform into more casual wear for their meeting; the brown
leather britches and beige cotton blouse of the typical Allè-dônian male.   He rubbed his chin thoughtfully,
wishing that he had found time for a shave that morning, and focused his light
blue eyes again on his friend.   "Well," he said, forcing a smile.   "What great plans have you hatched today?"
    Adrien
accepted a cup from Rene while wearing his customary frown.   She smiled anyway, and shared a friendly
nod with Brendan.   Adrien took a
deep gulp from his cup then started.   "I have thought of some preparations,"   he paused, "if you wish to
continue this plan."
    "I
don't know," Brendan returned, leaning forward on his elbows.   "I haven't heard a plan yet."
    Adrien
reached into his satchel laid on the bench next to him.   He pulled out some parchment with a
rough map of the Eastlands sketched in ink.   He placed it in the center of the table and carefully
arranged their cups to block its casual viewing by any passersby.
    He
described the ideas he had bantered about his head all day.   "If we leave soon, we can go and
return before the end of spring when the daily rains have not yet begun.   If we take the Southern Road, we will
pass through Arden, then into Brannon down to the border with Leixan.   Plus we can stay close to the border
with Angor and note any troubles there."
    Brendan
pulled the map closer to study carefully.   Like Adrien, he had learned the geography of the Eastlands as a child,
and the names were familiar, but he never expected to see any of these places
in the flesh.   He noted the
rough-drawn mountains and rivers with curiosity.
    "What
about a guide?" he asked his friend.   "Once we leave Allè-dôn we’ll be out of our familiar