The Assassin Princess (The Legacy Novels Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

again.”
    Ami watched the man enter between the trees and vanish. A moment later however, another walked from the dark path between them. He started back along the river, picking his way through the forest.
    “Yes, another came from those lands, and after three days of travelling, arrived at the city gates. With the crystal horn in his hand, he made his way to the castle where he told all that he was Harold’s son, Garth. He claimed to be from another layer and made himself lord.
    “There was an uprising, but it was soon crushed as Garth used the horn’s power against his own people, removing enemy from enemy, expelling the old rule and ushering in his own.
    “It became a tradition for the old lord to walk to the forests of the Mortrus Lands when they felt their time was done. Without fail, a new young leader would emerge, the horn a sceptre in his hands. No longer was a son or daughter born of the land an heir to the throne, and in knowing this, there was no more bloodshed, the line of lords purified.
    “Each new lord would tell of being raised in a different time and place, of how they were trained and prepared for the day they’d enter a new land. Each told of how the old lords regained their youth and started new lives, begat new families. None, however, would tell of their journey into the Mortrus Lands. None remembered, and none could break the tradition. It was their legacy, and the land was named after it.”
    The spell broke once more, and Ami shook her head, clearing the images from her sight.
    “How come I can see, actually see what you are saying? It kinda takes over my mind.” Ami stood and reached out again, this time to stroke the unicorn’s nose.
    Xavier allowed this, bowing his head to her touch. “It is easiest to show you, as our power gives us sight. We see all things around us, if we choose to look. We watched over the centuries with great interest, the legacy of our fallen brother, and what he unwittingly helped to spawn. When one of us sees, we can all see, and so I can show you the start of your legacy.” Xavier moved then, away from Ami. “Hero, have you provisioned for your journey west?”
    Hero had been leaning against a tree with his dark eyes watching the images unfold as Ami had been. “My men are close by.”
    “Very well.” Xavier turned back to Ami. “Our time together grows short, so I must continue, then you shall continue on your journey, and I hope, unhindered.”
    Ami took a deep breath, and then looked out to the river again. She watched a leaf swirl and swirl around a branch, turning and turning as the man turned, looking behind him and all around him as he left the moonlit city.
    “Lord Graeme, your father, was an old man. He’d left his wife in the night and walked from the city to end his time. The lord was to walk the last walk alone, a three day trek to the Mortrus Lands. He was drawn there, longed for it.
    “Once he’d reached the forest though, another revealed himself. His son, Adam, had followed him the whole way, keeping out of sight. Adam was jealous and angry, and wanted to be the next Lord of Legacy. He saw it as his birth right, though he knew it would never be allowed. So he’d devised a plan. He would murder his father and throw him into the forest, returning to Legacy with the horn, proclaiming himself lord. A fight ensued and both men fell into the forest, neither to emerge again.
    “None knew where Graeme and Adam had gone, not until recently, thirty years after they’d disappeared.”
    Ami looked up. “Thirty years?”
    “Legacy has had no ruler in that time,” Hero said, pushing away from the tree. “His wife is still alive, Lady Grace.”
    “But, my dad isn’t an old man,” Ami said. “You have the wrong Graeme, you have the wrong Ami!” There was a brightness to her voice. Settled, she could go home. And yet there was also disappointment. She didn’t want it to be over.
    “We don’t know what happens when one enters the Mortrus