Free Blood Ties (Noble of Blood Series Book 2) by A L Wright Page A

inside out. He was going to lose her once and for all, and without even a chance to say his piece.
    Dartein was quiet for several moments, and it almost drove Victor into a panic waiting for him to speak. His old friend looked up finally, studying Victor’s face.
    “My friend, I know the prospect of Nikka out in the world on her own frightens you as much as it does me. Please go get her and bring her back safely,” Dartein said.
    Victor heaved a sigh of relief. It was only midnight. He could ride for several hours before he needed to stop. If he rode hard enough, it would only take two nights to get there.
    As much as he loathed returning to the palace, he had to get to her before it was too late.
    “My thanks, my Prince. I will find her, I promise. I will not return without her.” He bowed low to his Prince, his friend, and turned and marched quickly out of the keep to the stable.
    Anyone in the courtyard got quickly out of the large man’s way. As he approached the stable one of the hunter’s led an already saddled horse out and handed Victor the reins.
    “Here ya go. I figured at least one of ya would be ridin’ after her,” the man said.
    Victor appraised the horse that had been handed to him. Tall, seventeen hands at least, deep chested and long legged. He was a runner.
    Good.
    Victor nodded at the man, and swung up into the saddle. The horse was restless beneath him, sensing his urgency and was ready to run. Without hesitation, Victor turned the horse towards the gate and let him fly.
    He stopped the horse every now and again to let it rest, and to regain his bearings on Nikka's direction of travel. It had obviously been a few days since she, Friesa and Tynen had passed through, but so far they were heading directly towards Noble's Rest and the home of the Patriarch. Her familiar scent of strawberries and spruce led him onwards.
    Trepidation at the thought of setting foot in the palace swelled up within him, but he pushed it aside. No more distractions or hesitations. Victor quickly remounted his horse and flew towards the last place on earth he ever wanted to visit again.

Chapter 17
     
     
     
    Fries a couldn't help but gawk as she, Nikka and Tynen were escorted through the lavish palace. Hallways were decorated with tapestries of every kind, and as they walked further into the palace, the older the tapestries were. Plush carpets that were impossibly long graced the floors, intricately woven fabrics and fibers that must have taken skilled craftsmen months to make.
    Here and there as they walked the tapestries gave way to weapon racks holding swords, some ornamental, some very wicked and deadly looking. There were also other weapons randomly placed like maces, morning stars and enormous battleaxes.
    The weapon smith in her wanted to stop and examine all of them. There was an incredible collection of weapons made by many master craftsmen, and she wanted to study them all. Her thoughts were interrupted by their sudden stop in front of a thick wooden door. The Patriarch, who had led them all through the palace, spoke quickly under his breath at the door and placed his hand in the middle.
    The very large door swung open silently, admitting them all.
    “Please do sit, all of you,” The Patriarch stated as he remained standing next to the very large desk that dominated the room.
    In this room there was an impressive amount of books, scroll cases and parchments lining all the shelves and stacked in every corner. Quite a few were littering the random small tables around the room. But only one book was on the desk, and it was quite large.
    The Patriarch's fingers lightly traced over the book on his desk, absentmindedly, as he waited for everyone to sit.
    “Your arrival at this time is a good omen, granddaughter,” he began. “I was beginning to be frustrated with my rangers, as they were not bringing back helpful information on locating you or your father.”
    “There’s no need to be formal with me, or with my