Free Origin by Samantha Smith Page B

and a personal bond of friendship and respect that had remained unbroken for many seasons. Once they reached Amarni and were settled in, he and a few of his soldiers would leave them and ride to join Thane and Elwyn, who would be traveling north toward Silvendil.
    Rhys and Clayre were both reluctant to agree to a plan where Elwyn would end up separated from them, but Ayron explained that there had already been an attempt to assassinate her in the village and if they split up, she might actually be in less danger. Unless Stefan had a spy in the village watching them at this moment, Ayron believed that he would most likely assume that they were all together and strike where he knew Ayron’s men had gone. Ayron also confessed that he had a personal reason for sending Elwyn north so quickly. By birth, she was the future ruler of Silvendil and once she entered its lands, Ayron could enlist many different resources to protect her. To his surprise, convincing Rhys was easy, but Ayron found that it took a rather heated discussion on the part of both men to convince Clayre to go along with the plan. Ayron assured Rhys and Clayre that he planned to send Keroc along with Elwyn and Thane so that he could keep tabs on their progress. He explained how he could stay in contact with them by using his bond with the drakenhawk. The agreement between them finally struck, Rhys asked for a few moments to confer with Clayre.
    Ayron stepped outside to allow Rhys and Clayre some privacy. While waiting for Clayre, he communicated to Keroc his intention to return to the stand of trees where Elwyn and Thane waited. He was a little concerned about the rather chaotic images that flashed in his mind from Keroc. He communicated with Keroc again, conveying his thoughts as slowly and clearly as possible. Keroc was young and still got confused rather easily. “It was going to be a rough couple of days for the drakenhawk,” Ayron thought to himself. “Keroc was very inexperienced to be taking on such a difficult assignment.” His thoughts were interrupted as Clayre joined him outside the hut. She asked for time to notify the village elder of her plan to leave, to pack Elwyn’s things, and to gather a few items that Rhys requested she take along to his niece. She also requested permission to bring along Elwyn’s horse for her to ride, so that she would have something that was familiar to her as she traveled. Ayron agreed with all the requests. After cautioning her not to pack too much, he sent Stuart, another one of his soldiers, to help her. Clayre assured him that she would meet them at the stand of trees in about thirty minutes.
    Ayron nodded, jumped up on Gerrack, and quickly headed back to speak with Elwyn. His mind was still swimming with unanswered questions. Ayron knew it was important for him to focus on getting Rhys, Elwyn, and Clayre out of harm’s way, but it was difficult to not think about how today revelations would impact those he loved the most. He wasn’t even sure how to break the news of Elwyn’s existence to his brother. Her appearance definitely brought up some serious questions that needed answers.
    “Enough,” he said to himself. “I need to get back to the business at hand.” With that said, Ayron tried very hard to focus on what was facing him over the next few days. It was going to be very difficult to protect the three of them. His men were loyal and strong, but there were only a dozen of them, and he was the only one who had ever come up against a shadow squad. As he drew close to where he’d left Elwyn, he heard voices arguing and Keroc screeching loudly. He sighed heavily at having to tell Thane and Keroc that they were on babysitting duty for the next few days. He also wasn’t sure that he was ready to break the news to the young soldier, who looked more than a bit distraught, that the young woman who was screaming at him at the top of her lungs was his future ruler.

Chapter 7 – Patience Tested
    T hane was