Free the North! (Free Trader Series Book 5) Read Online Free Page B

downed boar. The stick broke apart and the Ax’s momentum carried him face first into the carcass. He rolled over the top and lay in the grass, naked and crying.
    Klytus was there in a heartbeat to help his bonded human. They’d both failed that day in the hunt. Ax pulled the half-Hillcat to him in a comforting hug.
    “Did you do that with G, when he was a little kitten?” Micah purred.
    “He was never a kitten. Here,” Braden said brusquely as he handed Micah her knife, feeling the warmth of the sunshine and his family.
    Aadi watched it all from the shade of the rainforest, studying and learning as each parent took pride in their children.
     
     

 
    A New Plan
     
    They spent the rest of that daylight on the edge of the Amazon, letting their clothes dry while smoking the remainder of the pork for future travel or even for trade.
    Braden’s caravan arrived at New Sanctuary around midday on the next turn after a quick run from where they’d camped. They were dry and well rested. The Security Bot met the visitors as usual, scanning them to confirm their identities and welcoming them to New Sanctuary. Brandt ran toward the fields, telling the others he’d meet them at the lake after a good feeding.
    They arrived to cheers from the Cygnus VI survivors, New Sanctuary’s resident humans, although all of them except one were clones. Braden was instantly ecstatic, raising his hands in victory for the twenty cheering people as they stopped on the edge of the oasis. The survivors weren’t looking for a speech, just to show they were happy with the return of the people who saved their lives. Braden and Micah waved back, greeted a few by name, and then the people drifted away, back indoors where they were most comfortable.
    Braden and Micah unhooked the horses and turned them loose. Heloysis and Luciana jumped from the cart and bounded away toward the fields. The Hillcats joined the Hawkoids in relaxing near the lake. Skirill and Zyena were fishing, waiting for one of the lake’s inhabitants to get too close to the top of the water so one of them could swoop down and seize it. They were having no luck as they tried different angles from the sun. G-War had learned where the fish food was and was dropping pellets into the water from the small dock. Klytus and Shauna crouched next to him waiting for the fish to appear.
    The twins were headed toward the dock to join their furry friends. Braden stayed nearby in case one of them fell into the water, which wouldn’t have been the first time.
    ‘May I join you?’ Aadi asked politely. Micah patted his shell and smiled.
    “Of course, Aadi. You are always welcome and your input always valued,” Micah told him as he blinked his eyes rapidly and nodded.
    “So what do we do now?” Braden asked as he basked in the sunshine, enjoying its reflection from the clear water of the oasis lake.
    “I’d like to see Bounder and Gray Strider. I’m sure their home is something to behold.” She looked at the ground while Braden kept his focus on the gathering perched precariously on the edge of the dock. He took an inadvertent step closer, ready to sprint. “I think I want to go back to the ocean, to Trent, see my folks.”
    “Sounds good,” Braden said, distracted. He couldn’t take it anymore and headed for the dock. As soon as he yelled for them to step away from the edge, the first one went into the water, followed closely by a second. Braden was only a few steps away as he plowed in after them.
    Klytus popped to the surface and started dog-paddling toward the shore. Ax hadn’t completely gone under. He rolled to his back as he floated, kicking his feet and casually propelling himself after Klytus. Braden backed up toward the sand and waited. Micah stood on the shore, unworried. The children had been swimming since they were babies.
    G-War and Shauna were snickering at Klytus’ drowned-rat look as he walked out of the water and shook, spraying water everywhere. Micah yelled at a