Free Son of Corse (The Raven Chronicles Book 2) by KateMarie Collins Page B

fly.
                  “Joss!”  Arwenna’s voice echoed in his ears, but he refused to lower his bow.
                  Bohrs just stared at him, fear in his face.  Good , Joss thought.  About time he knew what it felt like .  He pulled back on the bowstring.  “Answer me, damn you!” Joss demanded.
                  Then, Arwenna was between him and Bohrs.  Her hand was on his arm, urging him to lower the bow.  “Joss – Caelon – it’s not who you think it is.” 
                  He looked at her, the tension in his body slowly fading.  She wouldn’t have called him that with others around unless it was necessary.  That was her private name for him, as much as Shayn was his name for her.
                  Joss felt Arwenna’s hand on his, compelling him to stand down.  He took time lowering his bow, not quite ready to release the fury that raged inside. The feel of Arwenna as she slid an arm around his waist calmed him. If anyone could be certain it wasn’t Bohrs, it was her.
                  “It may not be Bohrs, Arwenna, but he damn well looks like him.”  Barek’s deep voice grumbled from behind Joss, reminding him of the huge man’s presence.
                  Joss took a better look at the man he’d pinned to the wall.  He was barely twenty, far too young to be Bohrs.  Even so, the face, brown hair, and black eyes were identical.
                  Y’Dürkie sidled past Joss and Arwenna, putting herself between the man and the rest of them.  “Vho are you?” Y’Dürkie asked quietly. 
                  The captive swallowed hard, his eyes darting anxiously between Joss and Y’Dürkie.  “My name’s Anthones. My grandfather was Baron here.” 
                  “Vho is your father, Anthones?”  Y’Dürkie’s hand flexed on the grip of her sword. 
                  Joss knew the movement well.  Her relaxed posture was meant to calm the man in front of her, but she was ready to strike.
                  “Mother never said. There were whispers among the servants, though.” He licked his lips nervously.  “It was said there was a noble here once, being trained by my grandfather. He wasn’t well liked.  He left his training early, and nine months later I was born.”
                  Joss felt Arwenna tense up as the youth spoke. He tightened his arm, pulling her closer. 
                  Barek cleared his throat.  “What happened here?” 
                  Anthones shifted very slightly, the arrows still kept him pinned.  “I don’t know.  I’d gone to trade with some Wood Elves.” His face flushed.  “Not so much trade as try and convince one of the Elders of my worth.  There is a woman there, you see…” His voice trailed off.
                  “We’ll get to her soon enough, if necessary.  Right now, we need to know about what happened here.” Arwenna’s voice vibrated through Joss’ chest as she spoke.
                  Nodding, the youth spoke again.  “I saw the smoke as I came back today.  I hid, as I’d gone without my armor. An army was riding from the Keep .  The man leading it had my mother tied by a rope running alongside.”  A single tear rolled down his cheek. “When I find her, I’m going to kill whoever it was that treated her like that.”
                  Hugh muttered, “Get in line.” 
                  Joss dropped his face towards the top of Arwenna’s head to hide his grin.
                  “How long ago was this, Anthones?  And which direction did they ride?”  Arwenna asked.
                  “They went towards Serenity.  I doubt they wanted to be spotted on the road.  The dwarves have started patrolling the main routes in the dark.  There have been stories of attacks on caravans,