Free Origin by Samantha Smith Page A

Elwyn, I would ask that you table them for a short while. Both of these women are in grave danger, and I think that our first priority must be to get them to safety.”
    Ayron heard a gasp from Clayre, who was standing right behind him. From what he knew of her, she was probably feeling very indignant right now. Ayron knew, though, that if he appealed to Rhys based on the danger that he was in, it would fall upon deaf ears. Rhys was and had always been all about family.
    “We will have our time to talk Rhys, but for now I need you to listen to my plan. Neither of these women are willing to go anywhere without your say so.” Rhys nodded smiling weakly, and Ayron continued.
    “The men that came to your village today were assassins sent by Stefan. They weren’t just looking for you Rhys; they were also searching for Elwyn. Somehow, Stefan must have gotten word that you were here and sent someone to check things out. Have you noticed any strangers passing through over the past month or two?”
    Rhys weakly shook his head. “Yes elf, about five weeks ago two strangers came through and needed my services. One of them told me his horse threw a shoe. I shod the horse, they paid me, and then left the village. I remember thinking it strange that they seemed reluctant to answer any of my questions, but spent the time while I was shoeing the horse asking me and my niece a ton of them.”
    “I have a feeling those two men were sent to gather information from the village. When the men described you and Elwyn, Stefan probably put the pieces together, and decided he had to take action. From what I hear he is even more paranoid now then he was when he had your family assassinated and usurped the throne all those seasons ago.”
    Ayron paused a moment as Keroc informed him of the attack on Elwyn’s life. He projected an image of Elwyn and Thane so that Ayron would know that the danger had passed, at least for the moment. He then continued his conversation with Rhys.
    “The fact that this attempt on your lives failed, may only spur Stefan to take greater measures. I fear he will resort to sending a shadow squad, Rhys.” Ayron waited for this to sink in, not totally sure how Rhys’ weakened physical condition was affecting his mind. “I am fairly certain that Clayre is in danger as well, because she has been seen with you and knows more about the two of you than anyone else in the village. I think you know that Stefan wouldn’t hesitate to capture and torture her to find out what she knows.”
    “What is your plan, elf? How would you protect those that I love?” Rhys said harshly. “If history is any measure, you don’t have a very good track record. So why should I trust you now?”
    “Rhys, I know to expect you to trust me is asking for a lot and I wish I had more time to explore what happened those many seasons ago, but I have to act quickly. There are three facts however, that I think you should consider while making the decision whether or not to hear me out,” Ayron said in a harsh whisper. “The first is that both Azavon and I were in Grimsfyne when Rhianna fled Silvendil. The second is that when we returned, it was to the news that Rhianna committed suicide and was buried in the little cemetery just west of Findara. The third is that Azavon has never remarried and has mourned the loss of his beloved wife and unborn child for the past sixteen seasons. He has been unable to move on from that tragedy.” The tears in Ayron’s eyes as he spoke mirrored those that welled up in Rhys. Ayron didn’t know why, but he could tell that Rhys understood Azavon’s pain.
    “Alright elf,” he grumbled, as if embarrassed by his own emotional display. “Tell us your plan.”
    Ayron told Rhys and Clayre that he and his men planned to take them to the village of Amarni in the land of Urafiki, where they would be guarded by some of his own men and the Amarani, the fierce warriors of Urafiki. Silvendil and Urafiki had a strong treaty