Warden (Blade Asunder Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

money for nothing, which made them uneasy and suspicious.
    “I will buy your knife, at a good rate, but only if you let my family have your place in the line,” Linz bartered with the a large man, stood in front of them.
    It was a slow trade but it was moving them down the line quicker. Ganry and Wyatt stayed on their horses, observing for anything suspicious. Ganry had come to like Wyatt. He was much older in years than Linz and a veteran in battle. It seemed all in the line had learned of the family with the weak daughter and they all expected the trade deals to take place as the Johannson family arrived behind them.
    After a few hours, Ganry was the next to be questioned by the border guards. He worried that the guards may have heard of their trickery to get to the front of the line, but it seemed that the tradespeople did not communicate with the guards unless they had to. It seemed to be an accepted opinion of, “them,” and “us.” The Johannson family were through the border guards in no time, with their purses much lighter and their saddles laden with the bartered goods.
    They entered the first town after crossing the border and Ganry led them to an inn.
    “We will be approached by a guide, sent to us from the Narcs. He is to take us to see Qutaybah,” Ganry explained.
    They all settled down and awaited the guides arrival. Qutaybah was a mysterious figure to most of them. They had heard he was a rich man, a hardened slaver and mercenary, hiring out his private army to the best payers. What they were certain of though, was that no one should ever cross him. The plains of Vandemland were littered with the graves of those who had dared.

8
    Artas was disappointed that he had not been able to go with the Queen on her quest. He was supposed to be her personal knight, an honor he had taken seriously. It seemed this was not a role that was needed all of the time, especially when she had Ganry. However, Ganry was older than him, so he supposed he would be trained to take his place, eventually.
    Smiling at that thought, he looked down at the crowd that stood before him. One of his roles in the Queen’s absence was to placate the nobles. He was to convince them that the Queen was unwell and unavailable. There were few who were privy to the fact that she was not even in the castle, but the others must be told that he was Regent, given this role by his Queen.
    He understood them to be nervous of a Regent, so soon after the cruel, vindictive self appointed Harald who had only recently held this position. But they could not compare him to Duke Harald. The man had murdered his parents by beheading them. He could never be a merciless leader, only a just one. He intended on doing a good job, while the Queen was absent. She had bestowed much responsibility on him, so he would forget the quest and meet his role head on.
    Standing up, he took in a deep breath and then yelled at the top of his voice, surprising himself just how loud he was capable of shouting.
    “My Lords, it is time for silence!” he ordered them. “I have been given the task of relaying all your concerns to your Queen. You are given the task of patience, and I see no sign of that amongst any of you today.”
    Now he had their attention, he would instruct them of the Queen’s wishes.
    “We have just finished a war. Our kingdom is in no hurry to be making rash decisions. The people need peace for a while, not changes. You must understand what your Queen has gone through. Now we must leave her to grieve her parents, let her have a mourning period. I’m sure even the politicians amongst you understand this human need.
    “I will act as her representative. All your messages will be relayed to our Queen and all unimportant decisions can wait. I will be announcing to the citizens of the Kingdom of Palara that there is going to be a period of mourning for King Ludwig and Queen Alissia. It is only respectful and proper that we put them in our thoughts, even if only