A Harrowing Education by Michael McGuire

Author:Michael McGuire
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2013-05-17T00:00:00+00:00

Garrin Returns

Andrew did not remember falling asleep, but he woke up to find that the tray had been removed. He didn’t know how a Goldorn could have come in without waking him, for all the noise they made, and the heaviness of the door, but he had been tired. It was impossible to sleep comfortably on the floor of the cell. That, and the first meal he’d had since leaving the Browns, had made him sleepy. He just hoped that it had been Goldbinch who removed the tray. Andrew didn’t want him to get in trouble.

The door opened now and Goldwin said, “With me, witch-brat. Your guide has returned.” Andrew realized that Goldbinch had been the only one to call him by his name since he left Elban.

Then the meaning of Goldwin’s words sunk in. Garrin was here? Had he succeeded? Andrew didn’t know what this meant, but it might affect the plan he had in mind. He looked at Goldwin, who appeared dejected as he led Andrew down the hallway toward the door with the golden bar. Perhaps Garrin did succeed, and that was the reason for his foul mood.

“Goldwin, may I ask a question about the challenge?”

“I suppose you may, but that doesn’t mean I have to answer it.” Goldwin did not turn or slow his pace.

They passed through the doorway, and Goldwin closed the door and replaced the bar. “Well,” Andrew said, “I was just wondering what would happen if Garrin succeeded. I mean, that is, I failed, so I should be condemned to the Underwild, but he succeeded, so we should be free to move on.”

Goldwin began to ascend the stair, and Andrew followed. “The old traditions are dead, witch-brat. Goldspur will do as he likes. He only sent Garrin away for sport.”

Andrew considered how he could use this to his advantage as they climbed. When they reached the top and entered the main room, he was shocked to find Garrin standing over a sleeping, though alive and breathing, Windalo. It was like no other creature he had ever seen before, and was more a beast of nightmares than he had imagined.

Garrin was wounded. His clothes were torn and and bloody. The exposed skin of his arms and face bore open wounds. His good eye was bloodshot and had a deep, dark circle around it. As Andrew walked toward him, his guide collapsed to one knee. “Are you alright?” Andrew said.

“I will be,” Garrin said. “I have done his deed, and we will be able to move on from here.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” Andrew whispered. “Do not expect him to honor your bargain.”

Garrin’s eye narrowed. “It is no bargain, witch-brat. Goldspur is honor-bound to follow through on our challenge. I have met his terms, he will allow us to continue.”

Andrew looked around, but Goldwin was doing something behind the throne, and Goldspur had not yet shown himself. Goldbinch was nowhere to be seen. “Garrin, I don’t have time to explain it all, but Goldspur lied and murdered to get to where he is, and he has cast aside the old traditions.

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