Ghostwalker (Book 1) Read Free Page B

on the back of the mule.
    They walked for about two hours in silence, Kendril leading and Simon trotting behind with the precious cargo on his back. Every few minutes or so Kendril would halt them, and check the trail behind them for a few moments. Simon didn’t seem to mind the frequent breaks. The woman said nothing, but Kendril could tell that she was still weak enough to need the breaks as well. She didn’t complain, though, and she was gradually getting more color back in her face.
    Kendril was just returning from one of his brief scouting trips back down the trail when he saw the girl rubbing Simon behind his ear. The mule was grunting and snorting in pleasure. She glanced over at him with a smile.
    “I think I’ve found your mule’s favorite spot to be scratched,” she said.
    Kendril grabbed the saddlebag from where he had dropped it on the ground, slinging it over his shoulder. “Don’t spoil him.”
    She laughed. “I hardly think that’s possible. He really is a pleasant creature.” She turned her head, fixing Kendril with her bright blue eyes. “I just realized…I know the mule’s name, but not yours.”
    He smiled. “Kendril. I don’t suppose you’ve remembered your name yet?”
    Her smile faltered. “No.” She scratched the mule in silence for a moment. “You don’t believe me, do you? About not remembering anything?”
    Kendril dropped the saddlebag again. His back was aching anyway. He looked away for a moment, back down the overgrown trail. “I think we all have things we’d like to forget.” He looked back at her, running a gloved hand through his brown hair. “But I’ve never heard of someone losing their memory before.”
    The woman surprised Kendril with a smile. “I can’t tell you if I’ve heard of it or not.” Her face suddenly grew more serious. “I’m telling you the truth, Kendril. If I could remember anything, I’d—”
    He raised a hand. “It’s all right,” he said. “There might be someone in town who can give us some better answers. At any rate it’s beyond me.” He glanced down the trail again.
    “Why do you keep checking behind us?” The girl straightened, looking back down the trail herself. “What are you looking for?”
    Kendril rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Nothing in particular. Just being careful.”
    “Careful of what?”
    “Just a thought, that’s all. It seems kind of odd to me that there was one man with you out in the woods all by himself. What exactly was he planning to do?”
    She glanced quickly down at the muddy trail. “Well, I suppose—he might have…”
    Kendril shook his head. “Then why was he watching the trail? He couldn’t have seen me or heard me if he was back at the campsite. He was waiting at the outcropping, and watching for someone or something.”
    “You think there might be others?” asked the woman quietly.
    “I don’t know. It’s possible. Either way, I think the more distance we put between us and that place, the better.” He reached down and grabbed the saddlebag. “How are you holding up?”
    “A lot better, thanks.” She smiled. “I get a little dizzy from time to time, and my head is still pounding, but it’s starting to ease up a bit.”
    Kendril slung the saddlebag over his shoulder once more. “So what exactly am I supposed to call you?” He smirked. “Until you get your memory back, at least. Calling you “lady in the green dress” will get pretty old.”
    “It’s jade,” she said suddenly.
    “Pardon?” Kendril gave her an odd look.
    “It’s jade,” she repeated. “The color of the dress. Not green. Jade.” She reached up with a confused look, touching her bandage. “That’s odd. I just….” She gave him a strange look. “I don’t know why I know that. It just seems important for some reason.”
    “All right, then.” Kendril stepped ahead onto the trail, grabbing Simon by the bridle. “Why don’t I call you Jade, then? When you remember your real name, you can let