Free The Coastal Kingdoms of Olvion: Book Two of The Chronicles of Olvion by Larry Robbins Page A

and stood before him looking up at his face with no apparent concern about the difference in sizes.  “Greetings Warrior,” he said by way of welcoming.
    Taggart did not have to ask how the man knew he had been a warrior.  After spending considerable time in the military service one developed a sense of who was and was not also a soldier.  “Greetings Warrior,” he replied with the appropriate response “I am in need of shelter for myself and my ward.”
    The man nodded, and turned his body sideways to open the road for Taggart.  It was a traditional response in this world when strangers were met.  “My name is Chadd.  I recognize Toria.  My lodge is open to you and your charge,” he said.  “Come, Tag-Gar, food and shelter are waiting.”
    Taggart smiled.  “My thanks.  You know me.  Have we shared food?  Fought together?”
    Chadd chuckled.  “No to both of those questions, but how many yellow haired, blue eyed giants are stalking the woods?”
    Inside the lodge there was a minor pandemonium taking place.  Boys and young men of several ages were talking over each other while several girls of a similar age were gathering around Toria.  More mature women were quickly throwing together the makings of a meal while shouting for aid from the children.  Evidently this family worked long days in the field, and ate their evening meals late.  The arrival of visitors was a rare treat, one that dictated a holiday from work and an early meal.
    Chadd led Taggart around to the rear of the lodge and both warriors, and the younger men used warm water in large buckets to wash away the grime of the fields and the road. 
    “Come and sit with me and my sons,” Chadd invited. 
    Taggart sat in a comfortably carved chair, watched as a full dozen or more young men pulled benches up and sat in a circle around him.  “I must say, Good Warrior,” he observed, “You have an unusual number of sons.”
    Chadd laughed.  “I would be proud to claim them all, but there are actually three complete families working this land.  I have the major claim, but I have opened it up to two other retired warriors.  They are on a hunt now out to the south side of the fields.  They will return before nightfall.  Only five of these strapping lads share my blood.  The others were sired by Warriors Sallum and Mag-Grea.  They were both cavalry officers, but we try not to shame them with that fact.”
    Taggart smiled at the good-natured jab.  He listened as Chadd introduced all of the younger men.  He tried to ignore the stares he was getting.  He guessed it was not every day that one meets a legend on the farm.  Chadd finally ran them off so the older men could talk.
    “So tell me, Good Warrior, what became of you ‘ere now?  The stories told about the city are many and varied.”
    Taggart leaned back into the chair, and told Chadd the entire story of how he had been spirited away from his woman and how he had returned.  “The Warrior Mattus found me and was good enough to send his daughter to show me the paths to Olvion,” he said in conclusion.  “She is a spirited lass to say the least.”
    Chadd laughed.  “I remember her from the journey out here.  She caught the attention of most of our young males.  The few who tried to make an impression on her were less than successful.  I recall that on one occasion she was observing a wrestling match between two of them.  When she disparaged the abilities of both they challenged her to do better.  She pinned both of them and forced one of them to say out loud that he’d had enough.  I would say that spirited is not a strong enough word for that one.”
    The two men continued to chat in the easy way of warriors.  When Sallum and Mag-Grea returned with a nice antlered deer-type animal carried between them they were introduced and joined the conversation.  Eventually the younger girls, including Toria, all rushed out to tell them that dinner was prepared.  The girls