Legends Awake by Alex Stiles

Author:Alex Stiles [Stiles, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-09-30T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

After a few shifts the snow thawed, and Peran was pleased to see the end of it. His commute to the Stone Circles had become a slog. For a while he carried his shoes and wore his landclaws for grip, but they did nothing to shelter him from the bitter wind. And as the temperature dropped, the weather forced him to spend his hard-earned whayths on a pair of boots from Hollen’s. They weren’t new and too big for him, but with the toes stuffed with straw, they were comfortable enough.

Most folk avoided going out in the cold, so only a hardcore of patrons persisted at the tavern, despite the roaring fire that kept it toasty. The Caratrins were always there. Peran wondered if they were keeping an eye on him, but Iaron put him straight. It took exceptional weather to keep Hallin and Claife from their ale.

There too was old man Seddon, who sat in the same chair every Saturday night and every other night come to that, nursing a few glasses of mead through the evenings. But then he lived alone above his workshop, his sons having long since left for Phaerox.

Iaron didn’t really need Peran during those meager times, but he always found odd jobs to keep him busy. Between them they had thoroughly cleansed the tavern, only the smoke-stained ceiling evading their attention, for which he was grateful. It didn’t stop Iaron teasing him though, “So, how about that ceiling then?” he’d say.

Often Peran would emerge late at night, arms aching from scrubbing the floor or polishing the metalwork. He didn’t mind. The Stone Circles looked great; brighter and inviting. His sore limbs helped occupy him on his walk home.

Mostly he worried about Fendal, who’d fallen ill after they’d drugged him. At first they hadn’t realised, but Miles returned to the Congery a couple of days later to find Instructor Arlec, not Fendal. Someone found Fendal barely alive and rushed him to the infirmary, where he spent two shifts recuperating. Arlec asked Miles a few searching questions. He said he didn’t tell, but how much had he given away? Miles was not oblivious to the harm he caused, but seemed able to carry on as normal. He couldn’t understand how the somnilius had made Fendal ill, although Peran convinced him not to use the drugs again.

Peran might not have drugged Fendal but he was involved. Why hadn’t he checked Fendal was alright or let someone know? He didn’t want to tell on Miles, or at least that’s what he told himself. But in those quiet moments on the cold walks home from the Stone Circles, he admitted his guilt. Smoke’n’ash, he’d been the one to suggest breaking into the Trove the first time. Miles just followed his example; he’d made it acceptable.

Worse still, rumours of someone drugging Fendal had spread through the academy like wild fire. Inevitably, Ribbal had found out and used it to put pressure on Sarrien and the academy’s teachings. It seemed she had spies amongst the students.

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