Free Lusam: The Dragon Mage Wars Book Two by Dean Cadman

objects like that log over there?” Renn asked pointing to a large fallen log.
    “Sure, why?” Lusam replied, then instantly knew what was coming next, so he decided to own up to it. “Before you ask. Yes, I could have lifted us both over the river, but the truth is I didn't even think about it until after you fell in the water. By then it was too late, and I didn't think you would be very amused with me if I floated in the air across the river bone dry, while you were drip drying on the opposite bank.”
    Renn stared at Lusam for what felt like an age, then he just grunted and nodded his acceptance at what he had just been told.
    “Okay, let's get moving, we still have a long way to go,” Renn said while retrieving his tunic from the tree branch, and then he took off running in a southerly direction, with Lusam matching his steady pace.

Chapter Nine

    Neala had stubbornly remained silent all afternoon; ever since the group of strange men in black robes had thundered past them on horseback earlier that day, and Skelly had callously used her as a human shield against any possible attack. She had refused to even acknowledge him, refusing his offers of conversation, or even water. They had just passed through a small sparsely populated village without stopping, and were now entering a large flat plain at the other side, when they both once again heard the sound of horses approaching fast from behind.
    Neala could tell it was only two, or three riders at most this time by the sounds of the hoof-beats as they approached. Neala's hands were still tied securely to her saddle making it impossible for her to turn and look directly at the approaching horse riders. She saw Skelly turn in his saddle to see who was approaching them, then as he turned back she noticed him stealthily remove a knife from his belt and conceal it in his hand. He casually pulled both horses over to the side of the road to allow the riders to pass easily, and then continued his pace as if nothing was amiss. Neala realised either he expected them to ride straight past them like the last group had, or he was confident enough that he could handle the smaller group alone if they decided to challenge him.
    Sure enough the two riders thundered past them without even slowing their pace, both wearing the same black robes as all the others. Even though they passed quickly, she thought she recognised one of them from when they had first left Helveel. The one on the left had a distinctive bald head with a strange design tattooed on it. She was sure it was one of the two men that had created the strange feeling of insects crawling around in her head when they had first left Helveel, but she didn't mention it to Skelly. Five minutes later they approached another crossroads, and saw the two men that had just ridden past them talking with yet another two men in black robes. She expected Skelly to slow, or even stop their horses completely, but he didn't. He didn't need to. The two men who had been guarding the crossroads  mounted their horses and promptly left with the other two men, galloping out of sight long before Neala and Skelly reached the crossroads.
    Something was wrong, she could feel it in her bones, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. First she and Lusam were followed in Helveel by the man in black robes, then when he eventually caught up with them he had attacked only Lusam. When she had asked Skelly if Lusam had survived the encounter, he had not mentioned anything about being attacked himself by the man in black robes. So, if the man in black robes had allowed Skelly to take her unchallenged, it stood to reason that he was only ever interested in Lusam, and not her at all. It also explained why none of the men in black robes guarding the crossroads they had ridden past had paid them much attention. If they were only looking for a boy, a man and girl travelling together would not interest them.
    Over the next hour several more groups of riders