Up until the day he discovered his friend's bodies in the Narrows, McKaelin had never done anything of consequence. His entire life had been spent searching for a purpose, and now that it had found him he only prayed that he was up to the task. In his wake, a cascading chain of events followed that drew him ever farther from his beloved homeland. But it was worth it. She was worth it. The job before the new Protector of The Line and his companions was simple. Rescue Princess Sannil from an army of orcs and a fate that would alter the course of the free lands for centuries, then free the Druid Vermilon from Castle LindenWood's dungeons after returning her safely home. Only then is there hope of prevailing against the forces of evil. Shaltorayce has risen.

Protector of the Line

Book Two of the Druid Dreams SagaBy Michael Paul Metzger

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Michael Paul Metzger
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-4043-5

Contents

Chapter 1 The Cat's Meow...........................................1Chapter 2 A Name...................................................9Chapter 3 Any Port in the Storm....................................21Chapter 4 An Unruly Awakening......................................37Chapter 5 Revelations..............................................49Chapter 6 Noble Birth..............................................59Chapter 7 An Unexpected Guest for Dinner...........................69Chapter 8 An Unwanted Visitor......................................77Chapter 9 Out of the Ashes.........................................85Chapter 10 Secrets.................................................93Chapter 11 Sap's alive.............................................107Chapter 12 The Sign of a Protector.................................119Chapter 13 Breakfast is Served.....................................131Chapter 14 A Friendly Wager........................................139Chapter 15 Friends and Family......................................149Chapter 16 Change of Plans.........................................159Chapter 17 Patients................................................165Chapter 18 Plan B..................................................177Chapter 19 Out of the Mouths of Babes..............................185Chapter 20 Allegiance Lies.........................................193Chapter 21 Words of Wisdom.........................................201Chapter 22 Krezhan.................................................207Chapter 23 Wyren Lays the Problem and Solution.....................217Chapter 24 The Eye of Needle.......................................225Chapter 25 Widow Maker.............................................237Chapter 26 Welcoming Committee.....................................245Chapter 27 Vanimae.................................................253Chapter 28 Bait....................................................265Chapter 29 Fire and Ash............................................279Chapter 30 Reverse Proxy...........................................287

Chapter One

The Cat's Meow

Lowering her hands, Sannil's lips began to tremble, as the first of many tears started rolling down her sweat-covered face. She had worked so hard to break free of the stiff bonds that held her, only to be caught in the act by her captors once again.

Until that moment Sannil had been fairly optimistic about her chances of escape, but not any longer. The orc had beaten her. As the impact of her situation began to strike home, the cries beneath her hooded veil grew louder and louder.

"Be quiet, damn it! You'll wake the guards," said a hushed voice, but by then the flood gates within her prison had been released.

"Why should I care if my sobbing keeps them awake?" the princess hiccupped between quivering lips, as a firm set of hands worked to restore the strings of her captivity. Yet before she could expand upon that single-minded line of reasoning, the hood which had isolated her over the past few days was ripped off and placed forcibly against her mouth.

"This is very important," the voice continued. "I need you to pull yourself together and be quiet! I don't know how long we have until the orcs will wake up."

In the next instant Sannil ceased breathing and the night fell deadly silent.

Could this be true?

Blinking her eyes in rapid succession, a sudden gulp of air infused her body as she attempted to remove the bitter waters which hindered her vision and regain her minds focus. Yet the man who stood before her left the princess feeling dumbstruck.

What is he doing here?

Shaking her head, Sannil felt certain that their encounter must be a product of the druid dreams, but the warm touch of his hand soon disproved that notion entirely. The druid had said that someone was coming to rescue her, but in her mind she had always assumed that someone would be Rothgar.

As the young ranger began cutting the bonds that held her feet in place Sannil tried unsuccessfully to flash an appreciative smile.

How did he find me?

Within seconds of their release, blood began rushing into the under used appendages, and the pain that she received was so intense it nearly caused her to scream. She hadn't stood on her own two feet in days, and the nerves inside her skin were sending out streams of discomfort as they revolted from the neglect the orcs had placed upon them.

In the hope of regaining mobility to the affected areas as quickly as possible, Sannil sat upon the hard ground and began moving slowly back and forth as though she was taking a stroll within the caste grounds. The tiny pins and needles that wracked her body each time her legs extended begged the princess to stop, but the freedom of movement she now enjoyed felt wonderful.

Looking about the encampment, Sannil was happy to find the orcs still sleeping soundly in spite of the commotion that she had raised. She was far from ready for an encounter with her captors just yet.

Suddenly, the familiar feelings of despair which had greeted her each day since her long ordeal had begun were lifted like a new-day's dawn upon her windows landscape; replaced with a smug sense of satisfaction. She had done it. She had gotten free.

"It's time to go," a soft voice hummed against her ear, and the man pointed toward a thin weathered path.

Nodding, the princess placed her hands against the ground and attempted to rise, but the support which they offered wasn't quite enough. Though her mind may have been willing, her body was still being less than cooperative.

Reaching upward with an outstretched hand, Sannil grabbed a branch from a small tree. She had little more than placed her weight against the sapling when the bough began to break. Yet before the princess could feel the sting of her mistake, the strong hands of the stranger grabbed hold of her slender body and gently lifted her upright.

The ranger had moved so quickly that she hadn't seen him coming, and the princess immediately began blushing from the close contact. Stepping aside to regain her composure, Sannil began striding through the encampment in the opposite direction with the soft shuffle of her rescuer's feet following frantically behind.

"What are you doing?" he asked. "The way out is back there!"

The heat within the ranger's words concealed little about the displeasure he felt toward her actions, but at that moment she didn't care. She was grateful for whatever assistance he might yet provide in making her escape, but she refused to accept the idea of leaving her weapons behind. They may have been but a gift from the old weapons master, but the attachment that drew her to retrieve the ancient relics was much more than that. Sannil felt a responsibility to keep them safe from foul beasts such as these, and an orc above all other of God's creatures was definitely unworthy of their possession. Besides, if the orcs ever caught up to them she would need something to defend herself with, and the princess could think of nothing better to do so with then the light handled blades.

Pulling her belongings from the tattered sack that held them, Sannil felt better than she had in days, and after a cursory inspection felt a smug grin of satisfaction begin to work its way...