Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) by KateMarie Collins

strode in, adding “What’s wrong, Barek?  You’re tough. You can take it!”  She stood with her hands on her hips, a big grin on her face.
                  “I know that, Arwenna, but I still…..” Barek stopped mid-sentence and looked up from the map table. He stared at her in amazement. “Arwenna?”  The surprise on his familiar features made her grin even more. She laughed aloud as he strode across the room and enveloped her with a big hug. She stepped back to let Y’Dürkie have her turn.
                  The woman in the room looked up, eyes focusing on Y’Dürkie as she greeted Barek. “Y’Dürkie Zinkey! Vhere have you been? He,” she thrust a chin at Barek, “told us you vere dead! Ve go to var to avenge your death. How is it you are here breathink?” The woman stomped towards Y’Dürkie, hands on her weapons. Y’Dürkie stared her down, hands moving towards her own sword. Something in the posture of the pair gave Arwenna pause. There was more here than she could see. They stopped inches away from each other then burst into laughter, embracing.
                  Arwenna watched the odd reunion with fascination until Barek’s deep voice interrupted her amazement. “OK, start talking! I want to know how it is you went from being executed in front of my eyes to standing here.” He folded his massive arms across his chest, waiting expectantly.
                  “It’s a long story, Barek. Can I at least sit down and get something to eat or drink first? And maybe you can get Mialee in here so I don’t have to repeat myself?”  Arwenna looked at the woman who had greeted Y’Dürkie. “An introduction or two might be helpful, too.”
                  Barek agreed, though Arwenna could tell he was chafing at the delay. He stuck his head out of the tent, hollering at someone to find Mialee and bring some food and drink. “Oh, chairs too. Need a few more of those.” He called out as the sound of running feet retreated.
                  Arwenna looked at Y’Dürkie expectantly. “This is my grandmother, D’Mitta Zinkey,” Y’Dürkie then motioned at the pair who had led them to the camp. “This is Dreven and his daughter, Emrys. They helped us find you.”
                  Dreven bowed at Barek and D’Mitta, then turned his attention back to Arwenna. “We need to return to town and finish some things. If it is all right, we’d like to ride with you when you leave. There may be things we can help you with.”  Dreven glanced towards Barek, then back at Arwenna. “With your permission, of course.”  She glanced sideways at Barek before giving a quick nod of assent.
                  It did not take long before chairs and tables appeared, followed by the food and drink. A well-armed man followed the items into the pavilion. Arwenna watched in curiosity as he respectfully addressed Barek.
                  “We can’t seem to find Lady Mialee, Lord Barek. She appears to have gone out for a ride. One of the horses is missing and a stable boy says she walked by with a saddle and a pack about half an hour ago.” The man excused himself and ushered the men setting up the table and chairs outside.
    Arwenna and the rest settled in around the table.               With a chuckle, she watched as Barek put some food on a plate, plunked it down in front of Arwenna, and followed it with a goblet. “There. You’re sitting down and there’s food and drink. They’re still looking for Mialee and I’m not waiting any longer. Start talking!” He looked at Arwenna expectantly.
                  One look at his face convinced her that any further delay wasn’t going to be tolerated. Taking a deep breath, she slowly began to tell the story of what had happened from the time Barek had left for Tanisal, with occasional interjections by Y’Dürkie. By the time she finished, the