Steel and Shadow: An Epic Fantasy Read Online Free Page B

pretty nymph.  I don’t recall my watch being so…..”
                  Koa’s smile died stillborn, and his dark eyes flashed for a moment as he turned to face the man.                “The lass brought me food,” he told him.  “Lift your wits out of the ditch, Byron.  I’ve been hearing stirrings on the wind all evening.  I think someone is coming.”
                  “Do you know who?”
                  “Not as yet.  I may ride out once I see the commander.  ’Twould be wise to stay alert this night.  Recall how deep in enemy lands we are now.”
                  “Aye, and ’twould be hard to forget,” the man nodded grimly now. 
                  “Come, lass.  I shall take you to the commander for sanctuary.”
                  “Sanctuary,” the other asked.
                  “She’s Valdoran.  Taken by force from her home.  Her family slain, or stolen, too,” he told him flatly.
                  “All too common a tale in this world,” the warrior nodded.  “If you are sensing things, though, I’ll be sure the watch is alert.”
                  Koa said nothing to that as he turned to climb down with Lia just behind him.
                  She walked into the manor’s back door first, and almost cringed when the first man she saw raised a fist at her.
                  “What are you doing out of collar, wench,” the burly man with sandy hair that marked him as Kanlysan, the province of Galdyn to the east.  “You’re already late getting back, I ought to hide you….”
                  “Touch her, and I will remove your hands myself,” Koa walked into the kitchen behind Lia and growled.  The big cook gaped as the man half the estate was talking about stepped up beside Lia who had returned the bowl and spoon to the kitchen.
                  “Now, see here.  She’s…..”
                  “Under my protection as a free woman of Valdor,” he growled.  “Now, heed me.  Where is Commander Sanz?  I’ve information for him.”
                  “He….  He is in the parlor with the duke.”
                  Koa eyed the man, and nodded curtly.  “Come, Lia.  Do not fear this lout any longer.  He is of little import.”
                  “Fool bitch,” an older woman hissed from where she was peeling fresh herbs.  “You damn your soul consorting with that kind, wench,” she hissed at Lia.
                  Koa froze, and looked back at her, making the woman bless herself thrice as she refused to meet his gaze. 
                  “I see Galdyn remains an even more backward and ignorant realm than I had been told,” he drawled, and turned to walk out of the kitchen with Lia at his side.
                  Every servant in the manor that spotted him crossed themselves as he led Lia to the parlor.  A few even dared look at Koa, but none got in his way.
                  “Commander,” he began as he walked into the parlor where Jengus stood near the duke’s seat by the hearth.  He already knew the portly man in bright green silk was obviously his son by virtue of the arrogant smug he wore as he sat staring at his friend with a sneer while sipping the wine in a crystal goblet.
                  “Koa,” he nodded as he turned to face him.  “How goes the night?”
                  “Something stirs on the winds.  I thought I’d ride out and investigate.”
                  “Do as you think best, my friend.  You know I trust you in such matters.”
                  “Aye, commander.  In the meantime, I would leave Lia with you.  She is a Valdoran lass who requires sanctuary…..”
                  “Why are you calling that slave wench Lia,”