The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) Read Free Page A

Saylon’s are dead.”  The heavy sorrow eased just a little.
    Jessica inched a little closer to where she thought the men were.  She tried to see the speakers, but the thick mist prevented her.
    “It…It’s so hard to believe!  I heard rumors, foolish whispers, but…”
    “Believe it, old friend.  Graesion’s family was not killed, but sent far away.”
    “Where?  Why didn’t the Lady return?  Segal’s been dead for over fifty years?”
    “Only recently has Anton found the means for a return journey.  This is ancient magic, volatile and dangerous.”
    “An heir of Graesion’s lives.”  Jessica strained to hear Quirt’s whisper.  “What if he refuses to help us, to take his rightful place?”  Despair crept into his voice again.  “The danger…Protector Haesom had an entire army and defeat still came.  Does he know his heritage?” 
    “I do not know that answer.  As with all Protectors, this one too will have to choose whether or not to take the position and all that goes with it.  Undoubtedly by now,” there was a slight pause, “the successor has discovered some unique gifts, but not a full understanding of their true value, higher skills will need developing at Ramadine.”
    “Do you think Daenon suspects?”  At the mention of this name, hate replaced Jessica’s sorrow.
    “No, and this is our greatest advantage.  If he thought for one moment another Protector existed, he would be relentless in his search.  Family is nothing to him. My nephew even wants my head.”
    There was a deep, tired sigh.  “Quirt, it has been a long day and you have traveled far to bring me this sad news.  You must get some rest, for tomorrow I am sending you on another mission.”  The tone of his voice became firmer.  “This fight we will win, so do not be discouraged.  Now, I must contact Anton.  We have much to do, and our time is short.”
    The glow around Jessica dimmed.  In the distance, the rumble of a faint, familiar purr caught her attention.  Sneakers .   Gradually, the purr grew louder and sharper, bringing with it a pervasive weariness.  Jessica could no longer sit upright and she lay down.  Closing her eyes, she settled into a deep slumber.
     
    *  *  *
     
    The morning sun streamed through the bedroom window.  Jessica sat up and rubbed her face.  She shuddered.  The dreams from the night before came flooding back.  Surely they were brought on by the grisly surgery she had helped with at the veterinarian’s office, she reasoned.  Yes, that made sense. 
    Hopping out of bed, she ran to the window.  The morning sky was a rich shade of blue sprinkled with high wispy clouds.  She slid the glass pane open.  A warm breeze blew in, bringing with it the smell of lavender from the flower bed below.
    Pulling on a creamy yellow robe, she noticed her mother’s picture frame on the floor beside the dresser, photo side down.  “Sneakers!” she scolded.  Gently she turned it over, hoping that the glass was not broken.  Haesom’s face stared up at her.  She froze.  The resemblance between this dreamed up friend and her mom was uncanny.  She blinked several times.  As she did, Haesom’s image faded and her mother’s came into focus.  With a shaking hand, she put the frame back on the dresser, then hurried from the room.
    Jessica bounded down the stairs.  In the kitchen she found her dad seated in his usual place at the glass table.  Clean-shaven and dressed in a brown suit with matching tie, he appeared completely immersed in the morning paper, the Spokane Spokesman-Review.  Knowing the sound of her feet on the tile floor would bring him out of his inner world, she threw her weight into each step.  A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth and his gray eyes lit up.
    “Good morning, Dad.”  She kissed him on the cheek, her long, red hair sweeping across the top of his head.
    “Good morning, Jess.  It’s a big day today.”
    “Yeah, I can’t believe it’s