The Path of Giants, B.T. Narro [the speed reading book .TXT] 📗

two, which made me wonder something about Hadley.

I hadn’t seen her in a little while. The tavern had been busy, crowded. Many people had come in off the street to see what we were celebrating, some purchasing ale or a plate so they could celebrate with us. Michael was pleased to tell as many people as would listen about what had happened, but Charlie had even more enthusiasm. I was sure most of the people in Koluk would hear about the battle soon enough, but Hadley wasn’t part of the commotion. I found her coming back to the tavern with Remi at her side, a pouch in her hand.

The sight of her surprised me because Hadley looked very different than I had seen her before. Her hair was lush, clean and shining. There was more color and contrast to her face, bringing out the beauty of her delicate features and the sharpness of her dark eyes. It wasn’t that her clothing was particularly extravagant or expensive, but it was far more revealing than I had seen her wear in the past. She had on a simple dress, a blue kirtle, with a laced bodice strapped across her chest that gave an unimpeded view of the top of her ample bosom.

I tried to keep my thoughts purely internal, but I must’ve made a face that revealed my attraction. Remi gave a laugh and told Hadley, “I think this proves your point.”

I didn’t know what point she was referring to, but Hadley gave a shy smile. “Are we leaving already?” she asked me.

“Not yet. Where did the two of you go?”

“I asked Remi to show me where I might be able to find some supplies for cursing. Many of them are the same that an enchanter might use, so I figured they would sell them here in Koluk.”

Remi looked as if she wasn’t paying attention, craning her neck to see over my shoulder into the tavern. We could still hear the sounds of celebration. Considering how much fun Remi had the last time we all celebrated, I figured she wanted to partake before it was over.

“Go ahead, Remi,” Hadley encouraged.

“All right. I’ll be inside,” Remi said with a grin back at Hadley as she walked past me.

“Did you tell Remi about your inability to curse Josef Webb?” I asked Hadley when it was just the two of us.

“I did.”

“What did she say?”

“She didn’t respond for a while. She seemed upset at first. I figured she was thinking of other ways to get back at the man who took advantage of her, or perhaps she might give me an earful. But eventually she looked up at me and said, ‘You owe me a gold coin or a curse.’ That was it. I told her I would pay back her gold coin and curse anyone for her at any point, so long as it was just.”

“I see.”

I was doing a marvelous job keeping my eyes up, away from her chest, but my expression must’ve belied my thoughts because she looked down at herself briefly, then back up at me.

“I knew I could get a better deal on ingredients if I…dressed a little differently,” Hadley explained. “I was trying to explain to Remi that she doesn’t always need to hide everything. She’s young and beautiful, don’t you think? She should use that to her advantage when she feels comfortable doing so.”

“She is,” I agreed. And you are stunning.

“I think you might be able to do the same.” She scrunched her mouth as she came up and unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt. “It’s a technique not only reserved for beautiful women. Just show a little skin. There we go.” She patted the top of my chest. “Now you’re ready to do some real business, Jon Oklar.”

I gave a chuckle. “Except most of the sellers are men, Hadley Eshell.”

“A little skin works on both genders, if it’s the right kind of skin. Attraction isn’t necessary. Everyone appreciates a little effort in others’ appearances. It’s one of the few lessons my parents told me that still benefit me to this day.” Her tone shifted, darkened. “Even if their intentions were malignant.”

“They wanted you to catch the attention of the king?”

“Yes.” She sighed as she looked down. This was not a topic she wanted to discuss, and I was happy to change the subject.

“I was looking for you because I had a question,” I said.

“Oh?” Hadley perked up a bit.

“You gave quite a speech in the forest.”

“Thank you. I surprised myself a little bit.”

“I was curious about something,” I said. “If you left Rohaer two years ago, how do you know so much about the current status of the kingdom and their army?”

“Because I know a couple of merchants who travel to and from Rohaer. I have bought many things from them that I resold in the capital. I usually ask them about Rohaer.”

“Do they know you are from there?”

“Well, yes, because I encountered them in the forest one day when I was halfway between Rohaer and Lycast. It didn’t take them long to figure out I was Hadley Eshell. There was…a reward for information on me. I feared for a long time that they might betray me, but that was years ago. I have learned to trust them.” Her cadence was as if she wasn’t finished. I figured that meant there was more that she didn’t want to say.

“You must know them very well,” I prodded.

“Yes, well, I…had a brief relationship with one, and the other who travels with him is his father. I probably should’ve led with that.”

I nervously asked, “Are you still in a relationship with him?”

“No,” she told me affirmatively. “We still care about each other in a way, but we have moved past that type of relationship.”

It reminded me of Kataleya and me, but I figured the reason for Hadley’s separation with this boy was probably the distance, not disapproval of one’s family.

“I’m not with anyone now,” she told me.

“Oh,” I