Blood Ties (Noble of Blood Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

abilities. Really the question is, will she turn to him or another familiar person for help? Or will she venture out and seek advice from strangers out of curiosity. That, my dear Kurmeina, could be very dangerous indeed.”

Chapter 4
     
     
     
    “ I t could be very dangerous bringing the girl to the Keep, My Prince.” Victor was not comfortable with the idea of such a young, inexperienced female amongst the pack of men who made the Keep their home.
    “I agree Victor, but it was the best course of action given the situation.”
    Victor looked back at the girl who was now drowsing on her horse. Even though it was night, the animal was quite sturdy and picked its steps well in the bright moonlight. He hoped that maybe since the girl and Nikkola were so close in age that they would become friends. Nikka could help him protect the girl, especially while he was not around.
    “I suggest we introduce her to your daughter right away. Nikka can help the girl get her bearings and then get set up to work.”
    “Perfect idea, Victor. I had not thought of that.”
    To Victor it had seemed like his Prince had not thought much at all lately about Nikkola. But he knew Dartein was very preoccupied with getting the Keep better set up now that it was housing more Nobles. The blacksmith was only the start. They had to look at constructing some new buildings and reinforcing the walls.
    Victor had proffered the idea of inviting villagers to make their homes inside the walls, or set up farms just outside. Dartein was not sure they had enough to offer villagers in the way of protection, as of yet. And it would be a hard life for the first few years. The land around them was still pretty rough. Not quite ready for growing crops without some serious tilling and fertilization. Sure they could keep some herds of livestock, but the humans did not live on meat alone like they did.
    “Sir, how are we going to feed this girl? We do not grow vegetables or even cook our meat.”
    “I'm sure it would not be too hard to build a spit to cook meat on.”
    “She may get tired of roasted venison after a while.” Victor glanced up towards the slightly brightening horizon. The keep was just ahead. They would make it there right before the sun came up. This girl was going to have to adjust very quickly. She was definitely going to wonder where everyone ran off to right after her arrival. It was probably best to leave all those explanations up to Nikka. Hearing it from another girl may make it easier to absorb.
    Still, he had this lingering dread in the pit of his stomach. He could not quite figure it out. Was it because she could be in danger at the keep? He was sure Clyd and Tynen could keep the men in line and away from her, and Nikka would keep her too busy to think about being surrounded by men.
    Maybe it was the thought of possibly seeing Nikka less if the girls became friends. He had come to care for her so much. She was so much like her mother.
    “I best wake her before we enter the yard.”
    Victor stopped his horse and waited until hers caught up with him. He grabbed the horse’s reins and pulled it to a stop. Friesa was startled awake by the sudden shift in movement.
    Blinking hard she eyed the walls of the keep. “Are we there? I never knew there was a fortress out this way.”
    “It is very old and in the process of being rebuilt,” said Dartein. “Which is one of the reasons we needed a smith.”
    “Come, girl. Let us get you in and settled. We will be needing to rest for the day.” Victor handed the reins back to her. “When we get inside, well I gotta warn ya it's a bit rough. Just a bunch of men living here.”
    Victor turned his horse and kicked it to a trot, following Dartein up to and through the keep’s main archway.
    Dartein pointed upward at the arch. “Someday we would like to put an iron gate here.”
    Victor glanced back and saw Friesa gaping upward at the arch. He hoped she would be up for all the tasks they would be