The Unknown Man: Book 1 in The Keepers of the Orbs Series Read Free

the glint when I noticed it off in the distance. His mind raced on as they continued on the beaten and well-used path. He noticed the trickle of water from the river growing further away; a true sign they were drawing near the gates of Havenbrook.
    Tuk’s initial reservations passed, especially after the cart hit a bump in the road and Kos’ head fell off his shoulder. Tuk enjoyed the silence as the sun crept up in the west. Kos, with his head now held over his chest, murmured something in his sleep. They were so far away from the river; he could no longer hear its rhythmic trickle.
    Slowly the forest began to give way to lush green pastures and prominent fields filled with crops. The sun climbed in the sky while Kos continued to rant, lost in some odd dream. They made good time, and Tuk noticed a large pond up ahead. He decided the horses could use a small break to drink water and eat the lush grass surrounding it.
    He guided the cart to the side of the path and reigned in the horses. He guided them both over to the pond where they drank, and then made his way back to the wagon. He walked to the wagon and found dried, salted meat and devoured it. After finishing the first piece, he reached back in and plucked out another. He jammed it into his mouth as he strolled around to the side of the cart and peered in at the unconscious man. He looked very well off and very well kept. Tuk started to think he didn’t like the idea. What if he wakes and takes our rescue as a kidnapping attempt and slaughters the two of us? He stared at him while disconcerted feelings grew in the pit of his stomach. He fixed his gaze on the large sword sheathed on the man’s back, and he couldn’t handle the way the man looked, even in his sleep. Even though his eyes remained closed, Tuk felt like the man watched him. It drove him mad, so he reached over and closed the faceplate to his helm. Tuk felt better, but then he heard a grumble.
    “Ugh, my head. It feels like it’s going to split open,” the man muttered.
    Alarmed and scared, Tuk took a step back from the cart, dropping what remained of the dried meat. It tumbled to the ground and collected dirt. The man sat up and re-opened his faceplate.
    He looked around and saw Tuk staring at him. “Goblins!” he said. He looked toward the front of the wagon and noticed Kos sleeping. He didn’t know why, but he wanted to reach for his sword, but he relaxed. “Why am I traveling with you?” he asked.
    “I, err we found ye layin’ next to the river some distance back. We loaded ye into our wagon to take ye with us to Havenbrook. I swear we were going to turn ye over to the authorities in town,” the words barely escaped his lips.
    Alarm filled the man’s face. “You found me? What was I doing?” he asked.
    Tuk scoffed. “You weren’t doin’ anythin’. We found ye unconscious.” He paused while he studied the man. “Who ye be?”
    He looked dumbfounded and stared at the young Goblin. “I…I don’t know. What did you do to me?” His anger rose and an edge filled his voice.
    Tuk took a step back. “We didn’t do anythin’. We just found ye lyin’ there.” He tried to show his sincerity. “We be transportin’ ye to Havenbrook, I promise.”
    He looked hard at the Goblin and decided he must be telling the truth. “Well thank you. If I can ever repay your kindness, I will.” He offered a slight bow of his head. “Who is the Goblin in the wagon? He looks a bit sick, if I’m not mistaken.”
    The act threw Tuk off guard, but sensing how calm the man became, he felt more at ease. “He’s my uncle who took me in when my parents died many years back. He be a little on the sick side though, I agree.”
    The man walked over and sat on the back of the wagon. He tried to piece together what had happened. He could remember general details—such as, races and cities—but when he tried to remember anything pertaining to his identity, he found only emptiness, as if someone had ripped a