Shadowmoor (de Lohr Dynasty #6) by Kathryn Le Veque Page B

all they had left.
    It was a rather pathetic thought but it underscored the desperation of the people of Shadowmoor, desperation that idiot Bramley had forced them into. After a good night’s sleep, Daniel was feeling more compelled than ever to help these people although, even after his explanation on his reasons to Etzel the previous night, there really wasn’t any true factor why he should. He hadn’t particularly made an enemy out of Bramley, or at least he didn’t think he did in the long run, but he’d used it as an excuse to stay and help. Something was pulling him towards this destitute, hopeless place… or perhaps someone was pulling him towards it.
    That was more than likely the answer.
    Liselotte.
    A woman with pale skin and bronze-colored hair. There was something sorrowful about her due to her circumstances but beneath that sorrow, he could see the fight and determination. She may have been persecuted but she hadn’t given up. He hadn’t spoken to her a tremendous amount yesterday but in the brief conversations they’d had, he’d sensed a good deal of strength in her. She wanted to fight, and she wanted to win, even though her circumstances had prevented much of that. Still, she didn’t surrender, but there had been something in her manner that suggested she was very happy to have help in her fight, help in the form of Daniel.
    Perhaps he simply liked the idea of being her savior, of coming to the aid of people who had nowhere else to turn. Or perhaps he liked the idea of being her savior alone; he wasn’t sure. It was a matter of pride, too – he had found a purpose he could be proud of. Or perhaps the simple fact of the matter was that he wanted a beautiful girl to be indebted to him, to admire him and to show her gratitude.
    Perhaps this entire endeavor was ego and nothing more.
    But he would have to figure it out later because he had tasks to complete on this day. Just as he entered the stables, he nearly ran headlong into Etzel and Liselotte and Gunnar. Ares was saddled, as were the two other horses in the stable, and it looked to Daniel as if everyone was waiting for him. The horses were ready, and so were Liselotte and Gunnar. They were both heavily wrapped in wool clothing and Liselotte wore an old faded cloak, lined with fox fur, that must have been very beautiful, once. Daniel came to a halt when he saw the crowd and his eyebrows lifted.
    “So I am the lazy one today?” he asked. “You are all eager to go to town and I am the one who could not drag my carcass out of bed? I am ashamed.”
    Gunnar laughed; even Liselotte and Etzel grinned. “We wanted to be ready to depart when you were, my lord,” Liselotte said. “We have not been waiting long.”
    Daniel’s gaze lingered on Liselotte in the early morning light. She was dressed in faded clothing, but on her, they were the garments of a queen. She held herself regally, with pride, and her hair was pulled into a braid that draped elegantly over one shoulder. Truthfully, Daniel could have stared at her all day.
    “Forgive me for making you wait at all,” he said, “but I found that I slept so solidly that before I realized it, morning had come.”
    “Here!” Gunnar was suddenly in front of him, thrusting something in his face. “To break your fast!”
    Daniel had to step back in order to see what Gunnar was so excited to show him. He could see that it was a piece of bread from last night, now hard and crumbly. It was a rather large piece and he hesitated before accepting it.
    “This is quite kind of you,” he said, looking at the boy. “Have you broken your fast this morning?”
    The enthusiastic smile faded from Gunnar’s face and he suddenly appeared uncertain. “I… I did not,” he said, glancing to his father and sister over his shoulder. “But I am not hungry. This is for you.”
    Daniel smiled faintly at the boy, putting his hand on the blond head. “You are more than generous, but I, too, am not hungry,” he said,