Traveler Read Online Free PDF Page A

softly.  “Shall we take you back to your mommy so we can properly clean you up?” he asked, picking her up easily.  Even at twelve, he had been trained in the ways of fighting and how to defend himself, making him strong.  And she was so little, it was easy.  “Do you remember where your mommy went?” he asked.
                    Cerulean eyes blinked before beginning to fill with tears again.  Dark curls bounced lightly as she shook her head.  “Mommy not here...Nene...”  She whimpered softly before burying her face against his shoulder.  She didn’t know where her nanny had gone...just the pretty butterfly.
                    Rahim held her to his chest, rocking her gently back and forth.  “Hush, little one,” he murmured.  “We’ll find your nanny.”  He began to walk back further into the gardens, looking for a woman frantically looking for a child.  “What’s your name, little bird?” he asked.  
                    “Mommy calls me bird too...” She mumbled softly against his shoulder, tiny arms wrapped around his neck.  Curious eyes stared at him, her earlier distress forgotten for the moment.  “Who you?”  
                    “A friend,” he said with a soft smile.  “One that will protect you.”  He smiled and walked her further, a frown crossing his features.  Where could that damn nanny have gone to?  The little girl couldn’t have gotten far by herself.  He would have words with his mother about women letting their children run amuck in the gardens like this.  It wasn’t safe!
                    Small fingers gently pushed the corners of his mouth up as she whispered cutely.  “You gotsa smile...pleaseeeeeeeeeeee....”  The last word was drawn out as she gave him an innocent pout.
                    Rahim laughed in surprise, his eyes crinkling up his unscarred face into a grin.  “There, bird,” he murmured.  “How is that?  Better?” he looked down at her affectionately.  She was a cute child, and Rahim missed his sisters.  They were out on some female reforming mission in the south, and wouldn’t be back for a long while.  
                    Bri nodded emphatically, her curls bouncing lightly. She giggled softly, winding her arms around his neck to hug him.  “Thank you!”
                    He hugged her back, kissing the top of her head softly.  “I’m glad you got over your scrape, bird,” he murmured. “I don’t want you to be sad.  You should always be smiling.”  He caught sight of a woman in the distance, waving a hand to hail her.  Maybe this was the girl’s nanny.
                    “What your name?”  She asked softly, gazing up at him with a bright smile.  Her attention was reserved solely for him at the moment, small fingers curiously playing with the pendant he wore.
                    “Do you like that pendant, little bird?” he asked, glancing down at the dragon on his neck.  “My name is Rahim, but you can call me Dragon,” he told her, looking down at her.  “And if you like that pendant, I will give it to you as a present.”
                    “It’s pretty...” The little girl replied before looking up at him, cerulean eyes meeting his.  “Ooo...my dragon gives me a present?  I like you...”
                    He laughed again.  “Your dragon will give you whatever you want, little bird, as long as it keeps a smile on your face.”  He slipped the pendant off his neck and placed it on hers.  The pendant was large on her now, but she’d grow into it.
                    “Thank you!” She squealed happily before throwing her tiny arms around his neck and kissing his cheek.  “Bird!” A voice in the distance caught Bri’s attention, a curious frown curving her lips.  She whispered softly.