Alaric's Bow: A Book of the Amari Read Free Page A

something’s happened you need to know about.”
                  Alaric nodded, gesturing for the Captain to sit in the only chair in the room. He settled on his bunk, waiting.
                  Ellory sank into the chair. Alaric noticed both relief and concern on the man’s weather-beaten face. Whether or not the man’s gray hair was from age or worry he couldn’t tell. Outside of being older, there was no way to determine the Captain’s age. Though, at eighteen, there many people who fit that statement.
                  “I know who you are, what you are. Holly and I go way back. I was the one who brought your mother, your real mother, to the Island. I’ve regretted every single trip your father took that ended with a chained Amari in the hold. Helping you escape isn’t much, but it makes me feel better. The trick will be putting you ashore without anyone being the wiser.”
                  Alaric nodded. “I know where not to go, but that’s about it. I’ve never had to reinvent my life before.” He ran a hand through his brown hair. “I’m fair with a bow. Maybe I could make my way to another King’s holding, hide there as a hunter for his table.”
                  Ellory shook his head. “Bad idea. Your brother won’t stop until he’s found you, made an example. You’re a direct challenge to his rule. He’d like nothing more than to see you kneeling at his feet, a chain around your neck.”
                  Shrugging, he replied, “He can have the entire island for all I care. I won’t be going back there any time soon.”
                  “Won’t matter. Not to the likes of him. For all his bluster, he’s an insecure brat. He knows you’re a better man than he’ll ever be. Until he can break you, he won’t stop.”
                  Pausing, the older man picked at a callous on the palm of his hand. “I’ve got another passenger. About your height, coloring. He died in the night.” He held a hand up to stop Alaric’s shocked words before they were spoken. “No, we didn’t do anything to him. He was sick before he came on board. When we get to Lorien, we’re going to swear that the passenger that died was a man we were hired to pick up in the dead of night. Near Caer Mikkel. The news will be reported to your Grandfather, who will send the message to your father and brother. And you can live your life.”
                  Stunned, he absorbed the news. The Captain was handing him the chance to live without looking over his shoulder. “I don’t know what to say…” he looked at the other man.
                  Ellory rose, holding out his hand in parting. Alaric grasped it in return. The captain slapped his shoulder with his free hand. “Go. Use that bow of yours, yes, but don’t stay in one place too long. Rent it out for private wars, mercenary work. You’re alive, and we’ve made the best we can to cover your trail. Now you have to keep low enough to stay alive.”
                  As the captain turned to leave, Alaric voiced the question he’d had on his mind for days. “Captain, why help me like this? What did Holly give you?”
                  A tired smile crossed the man’s face. “Like I said, I owed a debt. Those of us who can hide tend to help those who need it.”
                  Alaric’s eyes grew wide as the pale blue of the captain’s eyes fell away, briefly replaced by the telltale gold. Without another word, he watched the man walk out the door.
    ***
                  Two days later, he awoke to the sound of shouted orders and a flurry of footsteps on the deck above. Alaric pulled on his breeches as he stared out the small porthole. They’d arrived at Lorien.
                  He dressed quickly, choosing a green tunic. Holly had only packed three outfits, none of them anything that would