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    Ambassador: The Kaerling, #2
    Ambassador: The Kaerling, #2
    Ambassador: The Kaerling, #2
    Ebook137 pages1 hour

    Ambassador: The Kaerling, #2

    By Freya Pickard

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    About this ebook

    Trapped in Aura Vere, the twins must survive, without being discovered by the kaerlings.

     

    "I simply adored reading Ambassador and look forward to the sequel!" C Messelodi

     

    In a case of mistaken identity, Otta is assumed to be a kaerling ambassador and finds refuge in Aura Vere. The shrineless god instructs Otta to find out about the mythical unicorn in Aura Vere's library, but, as her fascination with the kaerlings increases, her studies decline.

     

    When it becomes clear that the kaerlings are aware of Otta's presence in the city, she and Erl must find a way of leaving in secret, before the foreign ambassadors find her.

     

    Ambassador continues the epic saga that began in Silver Fire.

     

    The Kaerling is a series of linked novellas that can be read individually as well as in chronological order.

     

    Warning: contains scenes of a sexual nature and some violence which some readers may find upsetting.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFreya Pickard
    Release dateSep 22, 2018
    ISBN9781386823322
    Ambassador: The Kaerling, #2
    Author

    Freya Pickard

    Pushcart Prize nominee, Freya Pickard, is the quirky, unusual author of The Kaerling series, an epic fantasy set in the strange and wonderful world of Nirunen. A cancer survivor, she writes mainly dark fantasy tales and creates expressive poetry in order to leach the darkness from her soul. Her aim in life is to enchant, entertain and engage with readers through her writing. She finds her inspiration in the ocean, the moors, beautifully written books and vinyl music (particularly heavy metal and rock). She enjoys Hatha Yoga, Bhangra and Yogalates and in her spare time creates water colours and pastel drawings of the worlds in her head.

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      Book preview

      Ambassador - Freya Pickard

      The Kaerling – Volume Two

      Copyright Notice

      First published in e-format in the United Kingdom in 2018

      Copyright © by Freya Pickard 2018

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted or used in any manner, without the prior permission of the copyright owner except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

      This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the copyright owner's prior consent in any form whether printed or electronic other than that in which it is published.

      This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people, whether living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any resemblance to names, places and incidents are from the author’s vivid imagination and should not be taken literally.

      Cover design by Jonathon B. Hoyt © 2022

      Illustration used with kind permission from Stablediffusion.

      for Libby

      Year of the Dragon

      Snow Fall

      to

      Year of the Unicorn Ascending

      Snow Melt

      Chapter One

      Coldness seeped into every bone and Otta cuddled Derri close to her side. The cart lurched in the muddy snow and the man lying at her feet groaned. She checked her patient, whose pulse was weak.

      Will he die? whispered Derri, leaning forwards.

      I hope not, Otta pulled the woollen blankets and furs up around the man’s neck. He’s past the worst. If he’s strong he should pull through.

      She sat back against the bundles of furs and Derri squirmed his way under her arm. Otta regarded him fondly. If Rob or Jak had tried to do that at home she would have pushed them away in irritation. But Derri was different. He did not get into trouble. He did as he was told, without complaining. Otta pulled the fur muffler up around her face, hearing Erl conversing with one of the traders. The cart lurched forwards again and she resigned herself to the bumpy journey. Soon Derri was asleep. Otta rested her head against the furs behind her and let her thoughts wander.

      It had been two weeks since she and Erl had found Derri in that devastated glade. Since then it had snowed every day. She couldn’t remember if it had been the second or third day after finding Derri that they had met up with the traders. Otta and Erl found them after a hard day’s trudge through the snow. One of the traders was ill and Otta’s knowledge of herbs had saved the man’s life. They had been invited to join the traders who were heading towards Aura Vere, the capital city, for the Winter. So they had joined the band, with Otta and the boy travelling in one of the carts with the ill man. Erl did his share of leading the shaggy-coated ponies hauling the carts full of furs and logs during the day and kept watch for part of the night with the traders’ guards.

      Otta had swapped the remaining pack and her herbal skills for two large leather bags in which she stowed their meagre belongings. The traders had also given her some offcuts of brushed suede with which she fashioned more pouches, intending to replace the herbs she had lost in the forest. Nagaru was there on the edge of thought but he always seemed to want to talk about the Chandar she had inadvertently killed. Otta shifted her thoughts away from him, not liking the sour taste of guilt in her mouth, wondering where they would shelter in the city. The cart came to halt and she could hear the ponies’ harnesses jingling as they tossed their heads, mouthing the bits. The canvas curtain was pushed aside and Erl leaned in.

      We’ve arrived! he announced. They want us to go in first as they’ll be a while getting the carts through the gates.

      What about him? Otta nodded towards the ill man.

      Erl grinned. Don’t need to worry about him any more. All they ask is that you leave them some of the herbs you make the medicine from.

      Otta woke Derri, who wearily rubbed his pale blue eyes. She rummaged in one of the bags and took out a pouch that was half full of a pungent herb. Here, she threw it to Erl. Just tell them to take a pinch and steep it in boiled water for ten minutes.

      Erl disappeared and Otta dragged their bags to the back of the cart. She lowered herself down and helped Derri out into the snow. Shouldering both bags and carrying her longbow in one hand, she led Derri towards the gates. The sun was setting and the wind blew chill, making her eyes water. There were dark grey clouds overhead, lit with an eerie red tinge as the sun died behind her. For once it wasn’t snowing, but Otta kept her muffler wrapped across her face. As she walked along the line of carts, the traders nodded to her. She acknowledged their thanks. It made her feel powerful again. If she had not saved that one man’s life, the entire party could well have died on the road to Aura Vere.

      She met Erl at the gates. He looked like a trader; rough and dressed in mismatched furs to keep the cold out. As she watched, he shook hands with the leader and looked around. Her brother had grown in confidence, Otta realised. The traders had asked no questions and given him work to do. Although none of his memories had yet returned, he was becoming more as he had been, before Weird Day. But the worry that he might revert to the man who would molest her remained with Otta.

      Come on! He took his bag from her and lifted Derri up into his arms. The traders have already announced us to the guards so we will be allowed into the city.

      Where will we go? Otta wanted to know as she followed him.

      No idea. The city will find us somewhere to stay for a few days apparently but after that...

      In the gathering gloom Otta saw that the gates were made of wood and iron. Only one gate stood open and there were guards in blue and black livery waiting for them.

      Who goes there? called one of the guards.

      Erl and Otta, her brother called back. We travelled with the traders.

      The guard stood aside. They have told us about you. Come into the guardhouse.

      Feeling nervous, Otta followed Erl and Derri through the gate and turned left into a large, empty antechamber. The door in the opposite wall was open and a warm light streamed from it. They stepped into a spacious room with a large fire in the hearth to their left. Liveried guards stood around talking. The heat struck Otta like a physical blow and for a moment she found it hard to breathe. Then she became aware of how her fingers and toes hurt.

      Come to the fire, travellers, said another guard. You must be nearly perished with cold.

      It has been rather chilly, remarked Erl, setting Derri down before the fire.

      The guards laughed at Erl’s comment and the child cringed, staring around. Otta hurried over to him, reassuring him with quiet words. She pulled off his wraps and gloves and made him stretch out his hands to the fire. Derri did as he was told and stared into the dancing flames, entranced. Otta started removing her own woollen gloves and fur mufflers as Erl continued to joke with the guards. A sudden halt in conversation indicated that something was wrong. She glanced up as she removed her hood, enjoying the heat on her face. Without exception every guard was staring at her. Outside the traders’ wagons lumbered past.

      What’s wrong? she asked Erl silently.

      No idea, he replied. They were fine until you showed your face.

      Be haughty, came Nagaru’s whisper.

      Without questioning the god, Otta did as he commanded. Her instincts told her that somehow she had put herself and her brother in a very dangerous situation. She raised her head and looked down her nose.

      Chapter Two

      W ell? she said aloud .

      One of the guards pushed his way forwards. He wore a silver crown embroidered on each shoulder. Forgive me, my lady. He bowed deeply. Captain Prosper at your service. We had not been informed of your arrival.

      What’s going on, Otta? asked her brother.

      Tell him you’re travelling in secret, said Nagaru.

      I am travelling in secret, Otta replied smoothly. I do not wish my presence to be reported.

      The guard’s pale green eyes widened. He turned to the others and ordered them to wait in the antechamber. He waited

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