Trials Read Free

would’ve been easier and less risky with the two of us,” said Hartz.
    Komir smiled. “We’ll kill the next one we come across together, don’t worry.”
    “Awesome!” cried Hartz happily, flexing his muscles.
    “Men…” Kayti said, shaking her head.
    Kendas moaned with pain and they all turned their attention to the wounded man and the Healer. They looked on as Aliana worked her magic to save the soldier.
    Hours passed interminably, and Komir decided at last to tend to the horses and prepare a camp to spend the night. The two Norriel built a fire at the mouth of the cave, in the shelter of the granite wall. The howling wind and cool of the night would not reach them there. The three adventurers sat by the fire and took out their supply of dried meat and smoked cheese. They invited the Usik to join them, but she refused to leave Aliana’s side.
    It was late at night by the time the Healer finally gave a long sigh and opened her eyes. They all got up at once and looked at her.
    “Help me, please, Asti…” she said.
    Her friend held her to stop her falling.
    “My strength… fails me…”
    The Usik’s face was filled with worry. “Kendas live?” she asked.
    “Yes, Asti, Kendas will live… he needs much rest, for his wounds are serious…”
    Kayti pointed at the fire. “Shall we bring him close to the fire so he can be warm?” she offered.
    “Yes… please…”
    Hartz and Komir lifted the soldier carefully and placed him in the glow of the fire. Asti and Kayti helped Aliana reach the shelter, and the Healer made a last effort to say: “Thankyou… care for Kendas… needs water… often…”
    And she lost consciousness from sheer exhaustion.
    They placed her beside Kendas and tried to wrap both of them up as best they could. They stirred the fire to keep the convalescents warm and well-sheltered from the night chill.
    When she found herself alone with the three companions, the Usik girl took a step back. Komir felt her unease and tried to appease her with gentle words.
    “Never fear, we’re not going to harm you.”
    The fragile-looking girl studied him, trying to gauge the truth of his words. Komir raised his hands and smiled openly. The girl continued analyzing him, looking into his eyes. Komir almost felt she could read his thoughts and intentions.
    “Me, Asti,” she announced as she finally relaxed her thin shoulders.
    “Hello Asti. I am Komir, this big guy is Hartz and the redhead is Kayti.”
    Asti eyed them curiously, as if this was the first time she had really paid attention to them. Hartz gave her his usual friendly smile. He came up to her and patted her back.
    “Pleased to meet you, little one,” he said, and stared closely at her green skin.
    “Me, Usik,” she said in response to his scrutiny.
    “Let her be, Hartz…” scolded Kayti.
    “But she has green skin! I’ve never seen anything like it… Don’t tell me it’s not incredible!”
    “You’re the one who’s incredible!” she retorted. “Don’t be a brute and let her be. She’s already told you she’s a Usik, and the people of the great forests have skin the color of jade.”
    “I didn’t know that… I’d never seen someone so… so…”
    “Different,” Komir finished the sentence with a smile at Asti. “I apologize on behalf of my friend. He’s quite direct, even rude but honest.”
    “And lacking good manners,” added Kayti.
    “Good, direct good,” Asti said.
    “I don’t want to think what this brute will say when we come across a red-skinned Masig…”
    “Red-skinned? You’re teasing, right? There are no red-skinned people, are there?”
    Hartz looked at Kayti, but when he saw the fury in her eyes he was convinced.
    “But if you say so, it must be true…”
    Komir smiled and noticed how the Usik relaxed.
    “Tell me Asti, who is the wounded man? Was he traveling with you?”
    “Yes, Kendas friend. Kendas soldier. Good man.”
    “Soldier? Rogdonian?” Kayti asked.
    “Kendas