The Huntsmen Read Free

not moving. "My friends and I were hired by the Queen to find you but we didn't like the way she lied. We knew you'd need protection seeing as the Royal Guard has been hot on your trail for the last ten miles. She's rather determined to have you back one way or the other and frankly, she prefers dead. We have somewhere we can hide you while we get the guard off your trail, but you need to put the blade down and come with me," he turned his head sharply and listened to a howl, "now."
    She hesitated and looked at him. “Snow,” she whispered. “It’s too dangerous to call me by that title here.” She didn’t want anyone hurt because of her. “How do I know you aren’t going to take me to her?” She wasn’t ready to face the Queen yet. She had to get stronger, needed to learn to use the blade given to her by the Spirit of the Forests before she faced the Queen.
    "If we were going to deliver you to the Queen I wouldn't have told you all that I had.” His eyes still searched through the trees and then cursed as another howl came floating on the air. "They’re having trouble containing the guard, Lady Snow.” Looking at her, he dropped his hands, "Either you believe me and come now or they’ll be on us and frankly I don’t have any desire to have my head on a pike for the Queen's pleasure."
    Snow nodded and moved to him, slipping her hand into his as she did. Her eyes widened as she felt a spark from their palms meeting, but she didn’t dwell on it. “Take us from here, Master Huntsman,” she whispered. “Since the Lost Ones are no longer talking to me I’m going to trust you,” she whispered.
    Lacing their fingers, he let out a low mournful howl before tilting his head. "This way," he told her. Heading due north, he moved quickly judging her fitness as they moved. Finding the hardened path he wanted, he got them down onto it and began to jog. "We can only stay on this for a short time and when we leave the path we need to take care not to disturb anything. We need any advantage we can gain before the guards find the path we have chosen."
    Nodding, she moved along with him. “I will move where you do,” she assured him. “Being with the Lost Ones, I have learned there are certain ways you can step,” she whispered softly. “Go, Master Huntsman, I am your shadow.”
    Squeezing her hand, he tugged her further along, his eyes searching until he found where he wanted. "Put your hand on my back for balance and stay one step behind me," he said, letting go. Getting a nod, he tipped his head for a moment and listened, just the sound of the breeze rustling the leaves could be heard. Frowning, he cursed softly before he began to move forward. Placing his feet with care, he braced his hands on the trees around them, "Small steps and walk heel to toe so we don't leave tracks."
    Snow nodded and moved along with him, she did as he had instructed and ensured that she only stepped where he stepped, moved where he moved. No words escaped her lips, even as she wanted to ask a million questions. She needed to know about him but she knew she couldn’t ask, not while they were fighting for their lives.
    Holding up a hand to her, Dierk looked around a moment before jumping down. Turning, he held up his hands and waved her close, his hands moving to her waist, he lifted her down. Winking, he smiled and took her hand in his to lead her through a path of wet leaves at a slow pace. Stopping only once, he looked behind them at a faint eerie sound. Lifting his chin, he let out a sound to match before he changed direction.
    She could hear the Lost Ones leading them through the swamps and hopefully leading the Queen's men away from them. When they paused again she whispered, “They don’t know who I am.” She hated that she couldn’t reveal herself, but it wasn’t time. “My father’s men, they think I died many moons past. I just hope they don’t take it too hard when they learn the truth.”
    "They’ll just be grateful you