The Old Ways Read Online Free PDF Page B

delayed. Kalgan opened the door, glanced about to make sure no one waited for them, and then gestured for them to leave.
    “A fine welcome for one who fought and bled for you,” Darius said as he brushed past the old man.
    “There have been enough of both in this village,” Kalgan said, unimpressed. “Forgive me for hoping we might have peace for a change.”
    As they headed for Stonahm’s limits, someone cried out Jerico’s name. He turned, then smiled, as Beth came running up to him. Without slowing, she hugged both her intact arm and her stump about him. That she was not self-conscious about the injury brightened his mood considerably.
    “You’re back,” she said, all smiles.
    “I promised, didn’t I?”
    “Beth, don’t you have work to do?” Kalgan said. Beth took a step back and nodded curtly to him.
    “I do, but Katie said she saw Jerico, and I wanted...”
    “Enough. Go on.”
    She nodded again, then turned back to Jerico.
    “My father will be so happy you returned,” she said. “Tell him I miss him.”
    “I will.”
    He kissed her forehead, then continued on toward the forest.
    “A fan?” Darius asked, eliciting a chuckle from Jerico.
    “A spider bite nearly killed her. I saved her life, but still had to take her arm. She’s Kaide’s daughter.”
    “That makes a bit more sense. I’d be interested to meet this Kaide. How does he compare to his rumors?”
    “He doesn’t care for honor, has no qualms about killing, and is driven by revenge. But he’s not a cannibal, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
    Darius smirked.
    “Well...I guess there’s that. How far a walk is it?”
    “Better part of a day.”
    The other paladin sighed.
    “We should have asked for food before we left.”
    Despite Kalgan’s obvious impatience, Jerico rubbed his eyes and sighed as well.
    “Yeah...”

    T hey slept at the forest’s edge, eating a few berries they found as well as some roots that Darius was certain were the most bitter thing he’d ever tasted. They built a large fire, Jerico hoping the smoke might alert one of Kaide’s gang of their approach, but come morning, there was no one. Jerico tried assuring Darius it would be no problem, and with their things packed, they trudged into the forest. There appeared to be no path, though a couple of strangely cut branches might have been a marking.
    “You do know where you’re going, right?” he asked Jerico.
    “More or less.”
    Hardly the confidence Darius was hoping for.
    “’More or less’?” he asked as they pressed through the rough thicket. “Jerico, what does ‘more or less’ mean?”
    “I’ve been this way a couple of times. I’m fairly certain I can find it.”
    Darius winced.
    “And if you can’t?”
    “Kaide’s men will find us,” Jerico said, grinning at him.
    “Find our starved corpses, you mean,” Darius muttered.
    They walked for an hour, at a fairly slow pace, as Jerico kept checking the surroundings. What his friend was looking for, he didn’t have a clue. At last they stumbled upon a stream, which Jerico insisted was a great sign. They stopped to rest. Darius yanked off his armor and dipped his head into the wonderfully cold water.
    “What I’d give for a mule or something to carry my armor instead,” he said.
    “Not much of a luxury either of us can afford. I’d sleep in it if it were at all comfortable.”
    Darius grinned at him as water dripped down his face and hair.
    “That worried about daggers in the night? If you’re asleep, wearing armor matters little when the assassin stabs you through the eye.”
    Jerico chuckled, then turned his attention to Darius’s armor. He nodded toward the chestplate.
    “You should do something about that,” he said.
    Darius followed his gaze and saw the lion painted across the chest.
    “Would you have me paint a golden mountain there instead?” he asked.
    “Honestly? Yes.”
    Darius shifted uncomfortably, and he ducked his head back into the river to stall. As the