Free Epic Of Palins 01 - Dagger Star by Elizabeth Vaughan Page B

counting her breaths. There was no change in their voices, but the outstretched hands were starting to tremble.
    Finally, Evie’s shoulders slumped slightly. Dominic’s voice grew stronger, and the words of the prayer changed, thanking for aid instead of begging.
    The glow faded. Dominic dropped his hand and drew a deep breath. He squeezed Evie’s shoulder, and she looked up with a tired smile. His sharp features softened as he gazed down at her and offered his hand. “Well enough, Lady High Priestess?”
    “Very well.” She chuckled as she accepted his help to get to her feet.
    “Then let us return.” Dominic picked up the blindfold from the rough table, and shook it out.
    “I’ll need to bathe and sleep before I can preside over the sunset service.” He handed the blindfold to Evie.
    “I’ll see you back,” Evie said gently. “But I’ve some advice to give before I go, and I want to read my patient and see what the magic has done.”
    Dominic grimaced, then shrugged. He lowered his head so that she could wrap the blindfold about his eyes. “As you see fit. But do not waste too much of your strength here.”
    Red fumed silently as Evie wrapped the cloth tight, and tied it. A better fit around the man’s neck, and twice as tight would work just fine, as far as she was concerned. But she said nothing.
    She just stepped clear of the door, jostled Dominic hard in her effort to pull the door open, and then silently followed them to the shrine.
    Dominic complained the entire way, even as he held on to Evie and leaned against her for support. Red didn’t stop at the designated spot; she followed them right up to the doorway. Evie shook her head, but didn’t object. She just led Dominic to face the back wall.
    “Make sure you are in good time for the service,” Dominic scolded.
    Evie gestured at the wall and spoke three sharp words. Red watched in amazement as the wall shimmered before them, like a series of long white curtains moving in a breeze. There was a sound as well, of wind chimes, or maybe a waterfall.
    “Thank you, Dominic, for your help.”

    Dominic’s hand reached out slowly until his fingers found Evie’s cheek. “Only for you, bright one. Don’t linger here.” Without removing the blindfold, he walked between the curtains and disappeared.
    Evie waved her hand, and the curtains faded away. She turned to Red with an impish smile.
    “What he doesn’t know is that I traded off my duties for the rest of this day and tomorrow.” She walked over to the corner of the back wall.
    “What were those curtains?” Red asked. “A priestly thing?”
    Evie fetched a parcel and a good-sized basket from the shadows. “Oh, no. My father was a battle mage, and he taught me a thing or two about portals.” She swept past Red as she headed to the doorway. “Let’s get back. I want to change, and I’ve brought enough for a decent meal for all of us.” She looked at Red over her shoulder. “Go fetch Josiah from wherever he’s hidden himself.
    Tell him it’s time for our talk.”

    RED watched the goats cavorting around the horses as she walked toward the barn. The horses paid them no mind as they grazed, completely ignoring their antics. The goats were chasing each other around the horses’ legs, butting each other and having a great time.
    She walked past the entrance of the barn. Josiah had said that he would be on the far side, well out of sight of the croft. She heard him before she saw him, the sound of woodchopping echoing against the barn.
    Josiah had taken off his tunic. Red stopped to admire the ripple of the muscles of his back as he raised the axe and brought it down to cut through the piece of wood on the block. He was a fine-looking man, especially from the back. Nice long torso that narrowed where his trous clung to his waist. Red let her gaze drop, and her mouth curled in appreciation. Certain sure there was nothing wrong with his—
    “They’re gone?” Josiah asked, throwing the