Free The Exodus Sagas: Book IV - Of Moons and Myth by Jason R Jones Page B

hundreds of feet away. He pounded it hard to his shield.
    “ Three cheers of grace for Lady Shinayne T’ sarrin and L ady Gwenneth Lazlette!” Sir Codaius bellowed with his greatsword in hand.
    “ Yay! Yay! Yay !”
    Gwenneth bowed as Shinayne drew Carice and raised it high toward the people of Evermont.
    Tubrey raised the stone axe in two hands. “ Three cheers for bravery and safe return for Sir James Andellis of the falcon and Lord Saberrak Agrannar!!! ”
    “ Yay! Yay! Yay !”
    Saberrak simply turned and nodded with his horns. James drew Arlinne T’vellon’s griffon hilted broadsword and saluted it to his cheek.
    “I told you not to turn around.” Gwenneth wiped her eyes and headed west, silently lifting off the ground and hovering a foot above it. She watched Shinayne and Saberrak step ahead to scout. Then James and Zen moved to protect her on each side. Everyone was quiet, listen ing to the cheers that still unleashed in the distance, fading more and more as their steps covered the sound.
    “ Men of Evermont, at ease . Carry on and make ready the travel plans to Freemoore.” Jardayne relaxed and looked to his men. T he blades sheathed, the formation broke, and everyone mingled about prepar ing to head north.
    “Codaius.” Jardayne was staring at Tubrey who was still by the road in silence.
    “Yes Knight General?”
    “Have the men swear silence on the matter, the little folk too. You should be imposing in size and title to see it done.”
    “I shall. And you?”
    “I think I will go and comfort the leader of the minstrels small and wondrous. Perhaps offer him some travel with us and the king?” Jardayne smiled.
    “Splendid idea, honorable in fact.”
    “Do you think we will see them again, Sir Bear?”
    “I hope so Knight General, for the little ones at least. They need heroes like that.”
    “For now, we will have to suffice. Ready the men to Freemoore. I will be with you in a moment.” Jardayne walked up to Tubrey, knelt down, and put his hand on his shoulder. They watched without as much as a word between them, as the five brave companions disappeared over the hills to the west. Despite only the horizon now to view, Jardayne and Tubrey stood for many minutes, just watching, perhaps hoping , the five from Deadman’s Pass would change their minds and turn around. They never did.
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    “The soldiers are but one day north, my queen, I have seen them with my own eyes. Three thousand of yours have answered the call. ” The scout bowed nervously with one of the quiet ones staring at him from behind, he could feel it . He kept his gaze to the marble at his feet in the eleventh floor of the tower of the talon, as if life depended on his eyes fixating on but the cracks therein. Most men summoned to Castle Arnhast did the same.
    “ Dismissed, scout. ”
    “My pleasure, your majesty.” No faster steps could have been found on Armondi soil at this moment.
    “ Son, where oh where are our vagabonds now?” Andora was dressed in but a black silk underdress, jewels galore , and her dark worshipping cloak, nothing more. She knew her legs, chest, and curves were barely covered. She enjoyed watching men squirm in effort not to stare , even Harron .
    “As I have told you mother. My spies were correct and your wretched uncle Trehad was wrong. They travel to Freemoore, in escort of two of Evermonts finest and fif ty cavalry . They are not the ones he mentioned, he was mistaken.” Prince Rohne stared into the glowing pool of swir ling blood that filled the viewing fountain made of burned bones and ivory.
    “My queen, they are the ones, I am sure of it. Let me take the army to Freemoore. Let me arrest them on false charges, and I will bring them here, to you.” The Lord Amirak took a knee before his lover and bowed his head of dark hair at her naked feet.
    “No Harron Vir Magaste, I need you to lead the forces south and prepare. The ritual of opening a sacred temple to the eleven