Ties of Blood Read Online Free PDF Page B

started affixing the strips to the scabbards of her two daggers.
    After making sure no one was around she hefted up the hem of her dress and tied the scabbards onto her thighs. The long dagger she placed on the right leg so she could reach it in a bind. Using the small dagger she cut small slits into the side of her dress. The slits weren’t very big but she could get her hands into them and they didn’t show unless someone looked closely. Once the daggers were in place she checked to make sure they didn’t stand out. Looking across the water at the village she made a mental note to buy a few heavy dresses with pockets.
    With still no sign of either of her companions and darkness slowly creeping in Eloen started looking for wood to build a fire. It was obvious that they wouldn’t be reaching the town today, unless the crossing was only a few miles away and if that was the case one of the two should have already returned. Resigned to a night on the cold wet ground Eloen let out a heavy sigh. It wasn’t that she hated sleeping on the ground, during the warm months of summer she even enjoyed it, but being so close to a town and not being able to sleep in a warm bed seemed wrong.
    It was slim pickings for wood as the surrounding area only hosted a few trees. Even after picking up everything in the area, she barely had enough for kindling. Carrying her armload of wood back to the campsite, Eloen heard the faint sound of hoof beats in the distance. At first she thought it might be Ballard or Darryl returning with news of a crossing but after a few moments it was clear that it was more than one horse coming her way.
    Rushing back to where the pack was Eloen removed her sword from her pack and laid it under the corner of her bedroll where she could retrieve it in case trouble was visiting. Not wanting to waste time she stacked the small pile of sticks and struck her dagger against a small piece of flint.
    The fire was small but it put off enough heat to chase the little chill that had entered her hands while she was picking up the sticks from the ground. Most of them were still wet and burning slowly. Normally the slow starting fire would annoy her but since she only had a few more pieces to add to the fire it was a blessing. She watched as the water dripped from the sticks she added, causing the fire to hiss in protest.
    Shortly after the fire was started she got her first glimpse of the mystery riders. There were four of them in all riding some of the most pitiful creatures she had ever seen. One of poor horses ribs were sticking out so far that she was sure the animal hadn’t seen a full bag of oats in a fortnight. The men only looked slightly better than the horses they rode. Their hair was long and tangled and the layers of dirt on their faces looked as if they hadn’t taken the time to clean themselves in days. The one thing she did notice was that each of the men carried a sword.
    As the riders drew closer Eloen positioned herself so that her hand was grasping the hilt of her sword that was hidden underneath her bedroll. As soon as they reached her campsite the four men swung from their horses letting them meander around searching the ground for any nourishment they could garner from the sparse surroundings.
    “What we got here? Little lady did you get lost? If so I’m sure we can help you find your way?” A sickly thin man said giving her a smile showing off rows with missing and blackened teeth.
    Eloen smiled back trying to keep the stench coming off the men from making her vomit. “No my companions went off to see if they could find a suitable crossing, they should return shortly. So I am not currently in need of any help, but I thank you for your offer.”
    “What kind of companions leaves a lady such as yourself alone and defenseless. You should come with us. I give you my word you won’t be left on your own.” One of other men said. He a slightly taller man with greasy brown hair and facial hair that held