Free Soron's Quest by Robyn Wideman Page A

hard.
    But Declan and his friends had targeted the girl; she was likely still in some danger from the group of slimy young lords. Soron would make sure that the men would never get another chance to be alone with the lovely girl.
    Soron headed back to the city, he would meet up with the young thieves, and then he would figure out a new plan to deal with Declan and his friends.
    …
    When Soron returned to the edge of the city, both boys were gone. This did not concern Soron, he had expected the boys to be following Declan and his cronies. So Soron had some time to kill, he went looking for Ramon. Ramon had a small office in the city where he organized his trade business, the man was hardly ever at the office, but it was the quickest way to get a hold of the man.
    As Soron suspected, Ramon was not in the trading company’s office when Soron got there. Soron left a not for Ramon to drop by the Dew Drop Inn when he could, then he headed back to the inn. He would wait for the young thieves to bring him news of the men.
    At the Dew Drop Inn Soron was surprised to see Mariah was working again. She had some colored marks on her face where she had been beaten but otherwise looked good.
    When he walked through the door Mariah stopped what she was doing and rushed over and gave him a big hug. “Thank you,” she said.
    Soron hugged her back, he didn’t think he needed thanking for what he had done, but he was happy to see her again. “I’m just glad you are out and about, your father is a terrible server. Always getting my order wrong and forgetting my drinks, I will be glad to have a proper server again,”
    Mariah slapped his arm, “I am sure that he was terrible.” She gave a small fake laugh. It was obvious she still not herself, but she was up and walking around so that was a great sign.
    Soron sat in corner, wanting to be away from the rest of the inn’s crowd while he waited for Ramon or the young thieves. He needed to come up with a new plan regarding Declan and his men, but wasn’t sure how to start. And every time he tried to concentrate his mind would wander back to the meadow and the blonde girl. He wondered what her name was, was she from Venecia or some distant land? Blonde hair and blue eyes was rare in Solotine so the odds were good she came from somewhere else, but Soron did not know enough about other lands to have any real idea where.
    Ramon entered the inn without Soron even noticing, he was staring off into the distance thinking of the girl in the meadow when Ramon sat down across from him. “I got your note, did you meet my friends?”
    Soron looked at Ramon then quickly looked around; no one was within hearing range. “Yes I did, I was rather surprised when I did.”
    Ramon laughed, “Both of them look like they are about nine years old, but true is they are only a few years younger than you. Poor nutrition kept them small, careful grooming and some magical influence make them look even younger. Those two are very skilled actors, and excellent spies, are they out watching your friends now.”
    “Yes,” said Soron. He then filled Ramon in on the morning’s adventure, from meeting the young thieves to following the men into the woods and then the meeting with the beautiful girl in the meadow.”
    Ramon shook his head, “It sounds like you had a good opportunity if you had waited a little longer, oh well. It was good you saved the girl from them, you can figure out how to deal with the men later. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and from the way you blush when you talk about her I am going to go out on a limb and say she is exceptionally pretty as well. Shouldn’t be too hard for me to track down, that is, if you would like me to?”
    Soron tried not to jump when Ramon suggested he could find out who the girl was. “Well, you know it might not hurt to find out who she is, just in case Declan tries again.”
    Ramon laughed; it was obvious that Soron’s interest in the girl had nothing to do with Declan and