Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

chatter among the girls, but they were silent as they followed behind us boys. Kataleya rode between Eden and Aliana, with Remi behind all. I could feel Kataleya’s anger like heat on my back. She had seemed honest during her pleadings to the king. I didn’t believe she had betrayed us, but there was a chance I was wrong.

We were silent the whole way to the forest. We were even quiet during the first mile as we rode deeper into the woods. I knew Eslenda could find us easier than we would find her, but I was eager to finally break the silence as I drew breath to shout.

“Eslenda!” I called out. Then louder, “Eslenda, it’s Jon! We need to speak.”

There was no reply, just the horses huffing.

So we rode on. I called out for Eslenda a few more times, but we didn’t hear back.

I asked Aliana behind me, “Do you sense anyone?”

“No, just some small animals.”

Kataleya muttered something about Aliana.

“What did you say?” Aliana asked.

Kataleya usually had a smile on her face, but she looked like a different person as she scowled now. Her blonde hair was in disarray, her eyes red.

“I said you could be lying,” she told Aliana confidently.

Aliana glared at her. “Why would you say that?”

“Because I think it was you who put the ring in my room.”

Now Aliana muttered something as she shook her head.

“Speak up,” Kataleya demanded.

“You’re insane to think I did that. I’m your friend.”

“You were my friend, you mean. Or you pretended to be, at least.”

With all of us still on our mounts, Aliana looked at Eden, but Eden just glanced around nervously at the rest of us, her gaze resting on Michael.

“Kataleya, I don’t know if this is the right time…” Michael began.

“No, we are going to discuss this right now! Get off your horses.”

“We need to find Eslenda,” Aliana said.

“Of course you would try to keep this conversation from happening,” Kataleya accused.

“I have nothing to hide!”

“Neither do I!” Kataleya said, her loud voice beginning to startle the horses.

“Kataleya,” Michael said. “The animals.”

“Everyone off your horses now!” Kataleya demanded.

Reuben argued, “You do not have the authority to give such an order, especially after what you are accused of.”

“Get off your horses now, or I’m going to start screaming!”

“We’re getting off,” I announced. There was no point in trying to calm her down. She would scare the animals first.

We all begrudgingly tied up our mounts and walked some distance from the animals. We formed a loose circle, most of us separating from each other more than usual.

Kataleya looked at each of us as if we had betrayed her. Her gaze lingered on me for a little while. I showed her a sad look that she ignored.

“I can’t believe all of you think I could’ve done this,” she said. “No one stood up for me. Even now.”

I noticed many hanging their heads, but I looked right at Kataleya. “I don’t want to speak for everyone,” I said, “but I can guess they are feeling the same as me right now.”

“Which is?” she asked.

“It is hard to believe that you signaled for the dark mages to enter the castle so they could kill Grufaeragar. I don’t think even the king wants to believe it was you. But it appears that someone did do that with a callring that later was found in your room. I understand you haven’t always locked your door when leaving. I’m sure all of us haven’t, either.”

“I have,” Charlie interrupted.

“So have I,” Reuben added.

“The point is, we don’t know who put the callring there,” I responded to them. “Any of us could be working with Cason. We understand, Kataleya, that someone could’ve framed you. But it’s strange, you must admit, that your father is the only person connected to any of us who the king mentioned.”

“He mentioned one other man,” Kataleya said pointedly. “Luther Prigg. Am I right, Charlie?”

“Charlie, don’t—”

“How’d you know?” Charlie asked at the same time Michael was trying to stop him. “Did you hear the king mention him?” he asked Kataleya.

“No, you just confirmed my suspicions. During the time I was alone I was thinking through all of this. The Priggs are the other noble family who the king collaborates with when collecting taxes. Have any of you met Luther Prigg?”

“What are you getting at?” Aliana asked.

“Because I have,” Kataleya said with a thumb to her chest. “Anyone? Reuben?”

“My family doesn’t speak with the Priggs. We believe Luther to be…” He stopped himself.

“What?” Kataleya prompted. “It’s important that you say it.”

“Less than nobility.”

“And why is that?” she prompted again.

“Because of his alleged affairs with common women. However, he is not a dishonest man, like you imply.”

“Is it not dishonest to break your wedding vows?”

“It doesn’t prove he’s the one working with the dark mages. And there is not even any proof of his infidelity. This is what you’ve stopped us to discuss?” Reuben sounded furious. “Now I suspect you even more, Kataleya. You are clearly desperate to shift the blame to someone else. First you accuse Aliana, and now you accuse Luther. Are you going to accuse my family next?”

She looked to be holding in rage as she had a few breaths. “Don’t you see what I’m saying, Reuben?”

He appeared confused.

“Don’t any of you see it?”

I suddenly realized what she was implying, but it didn’t feel right for me to say it. Perhaps even Kataleya knew she shouldn’t be the one to say this.

It could only be Aliana.

Eden must’ve realized as well, as she opened her mouth and looked at Aliana. Remi was next.

The boys didn’t understand, however, probably because Aliana had never shared her past with them as she had with me. The boys did start looking at Aliana curiously, though.

“What?” Charlie asked. “I don’t understand.”

Aliana’s mouth remained open as she looked at Kataleya, who raised her eyebrows almost apologetically.

“My god,” Aliana said, infuriated. “Are you not only implying that this man, Luther Prigg, who I have never even heard of, is my father, but also