Free The Outlaw King: The Line of Kings Trilogy Book One by Craig Saunders

he
killed someone by accident. A noble, maybe. It must have been somebody with
power, for father to run so long.’
                ‘You
should be at peace with your father’s memory. I would not have you doubt him.
He was a great man, like his father before him. There are many kinds of criminal,
depending on who makes the crime. Your father killed many men, but he was no
murderer. When you understand who you are, you will understand your father’s
crime. Then, perhaps, you will be a man. But I cannot make you a man. Only you
can do that.’
                ‘That
is no answer,’ said Tarn, with a hint of irritation.
                ‘No,
boy. But it is the only answer I have to give. Ask me again when you reach
manhood, if you feel the need by then.’
                Tarn
thought it odd that the old lady would be around for years, not weeks. But he
did not ask her why. He thought she would not tell him, and he would have been
right.
                ‘Did
you know my mother?’
                ‘I
was there when she gave birth to you. She was a fine woman, and she loved you
and your father dearly. She was beyond my skills to save.
                ‘I
tire now. Ask one last question of me, and then I will ask something of you.’
                ‘Who
am I?’
                Tulathia
laughed. ‘You are out of questions, boy, now, and to end with such a disappointing
one. Who you are is for you to find out. It is not an answer anyone else can
give you. Now it is my turn.’
                Tarn
nodded. His head buzzed, alive with thoughts, and he tried to concentrate on
the old lady. Mia still watched him, but said nothing.
                ‘We
three have power together. We can do something I could not do for your father.
We can hide you. Would you be hidden, to grow into a man? We can give your soul
a chance.’
                Tarn
knew the rules: always was there a price.
                ‘And
what is the price?’
                Tulathia
smiled at him. ‘I see your father taught you the lore.’
                ‘That
he did.’
                ‘Then
the price. I would have you do something for all three of us. When you are
grown, I would have you kill a man. You will want to kill him. It is not an
evil act. But you must not be afraid. No matter the cost, the man must die. You
will know who, but you must tame your fear.’
                ‘I
am never afraid. But it is wrong to kill a man, unless he does you wrong.’
                ‘Then
the death I ask will be just, and will not stain your soul, but the price will
be high. I can give you a life now, but in return you must take one for me.
That is my price. But remember, I cannot know the future. I can only see the
past, and a small part of what is to come. What you make of it from here is up
to you. And perhaps, gods willing, the man will die and you will never have to
pay my price. That is all life is. An endless procession of chances. Will you
take this one?’
                ‘I
will,’ said Tarn, after a long time. ‘I will do as you bid.’
                ‘It
will be as you wish. I ask you to do no evil, for evil I am not. Give me a lock
of your hair, and return to your farm. Be at peace and know that all is well.
We will meet again.’
                Mia
passed him a knife without a word. Tarn cut off a lock of his hair and gave it
to the old woman.
                ‘I
bid you well, Tarn.’
                Just
at that moment, Rena came back.
                ‘Join
us, Rena, we have work to do. Your walk with young Tarn will have to wait
another day.’
                Rena
hid her disappointment well but touched Tarn on the back of his hand when she
said goodbye. Tarn left for the farmhouse, his mind alive with possibilities,
hope for