Free War Of The Wildlands by Lana Axe Page B

staying for dinner?” she asked. “This business
can wait until the morning, surely.”
    “Of course,” Yori replied, sounding relieved. He
was glad Trella didn’t ask for more of an explanation. In many ways she
reminded him of his mother, and he did not want to tell her he had just been
thrown in prison. Even if he had not truly committed a crime, he still felt too
ashamed to express those words to his aunt.
    “It looks like the prince has provided you with
some fine garments,” Trella commented. She reached out to touch the sleeve of
Yori’s shirt. “This is very fine indeed. Look at this, Meladee. This is a rich
man’s clothing.” The little girl lifted her face from her mother’s shoulder and
stared at Yori. “You see, sweet girl, he has a very important friend, and he
has to leave us in order to serve him. It is a great honor, and we must be brave
and let him go.” She kissed the girl on her cheek.
    Meladee nodded and her tears began to slow. Her
mother always knew just what to say to make her feel better.
    “I’ll get dinner started,” Trella said. “Don’t
stay too late,” she added, looking at Ren. She retrieved her basket and carried
Meladee back to their home.
    “I’m going to miss having your help around here,”
Ren said. “You do fine work.”
    Yori smiled nervously and nodded. Ren rarely gave
compliments, but his words were always sincere. He wondered if his uncle ever
thought of him as a son rather than just an apprentice. Having never known his
real father, Ren was the closest thing he had to one.
    Tonight would be his last night among his human
family. If he managed to find his father’s clan, he hoped they would accept
him. There were many questions they could answer for him regarding his father.
Yori knew next to nothing about him and wondered what kind of person he had
been. Perhaps they even had a few things in common. With luck, he might survive
the Wildlands long enough to find out.

Chapter 15
     
    L isalla stood on
her balcony gazing at the Wrathful Mountains. This spectacular view had greeted
her every day since she was born, and now she was preparing to leave it behind.
The mountains stood tall and proud in the distance as she peered at the mist
that hid the white caps from view and wondered what life on a mountaintop must
be like. A sense of freedom came over her as she pictured herself high in the
mountains, looking down upon the clouds. Closing her eyes, she tried to embed
the image to her memory in case she was never able to return.
    Soon, Lisalla would be leaving to meet her
husband. Prince Aelryk of Na’zora was described as strikingly handsome as well
as good-natured. Her excitement over her upcoming marriage was marred only by
the fact that she had to leave her home. In her dreams, a prince had always
traveled to Ra’jhou to marry her and take over her father’s throne. In reality,
she would have to travel to a land she had never even visited and someday
become their queen.
    “My lady,” Danna said as she walked out onto the
balcony. “You still haven’t decided on a wedding gown. Most of your things are
packed, and we really should bring wedding clothes with us. Your father says
the ceremony will take place immediately.”
    Lisalla smiled at her maid and asked, “Are your
things prepared as well?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” the young woman replied. “It’s you
I’m concerned about.”
    “I’ll choose something,” Lisalla said with a sigh.
“I just don’t understand why we have to be married so quickly. I want some time
to know my husband before we wed.”
    “I’m afraid that isn’t how things work for
royalty,” Danna said sympathetically.
    “Maybe we can have more fun finding you a
husband,” Lisalla said, playfully tugging at Danna’s long dark hair.
    Danna blushed and pushed her hair back over her
shoulders. “I think that’s going to have to wait a while,” she said.
    “Come and sit with me,” Lisalla said, pulling on
Danna’s arm. The