The Academy Journals Books 1-3 by Garrett Robinson

Author:Garrett Robinson [Robinson, Garrett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Legacy Books
Published: 2016-08-01T23:00:00+00:00

twenty-four

“THAT IS DASKO,” SAID KALEM.

“Hush!” said Theren. “We can see that. Get out of sight.”

“Why?” asked Ebon. But she and Kalem were already scampering behind the edge of a nearby shop, and so he followed. The alley they ducked into stank, and Ebon covered his nose with a sleeve, reluctant to touch anything. “Theren, what are you doing?”

“Are you not curious what Dasko is doing out here, or what is in the cart beside him?”

“Curious? Certainly,” said Ebon. “But not enough to skulk about like some thief.”

“I want to follow him,” said Theren. “It is the first day of Yearsend. Why is he not on holiday?”

“A student died only yesterday, Theren,” said Kalem quietly. “No doubt the faculty have much to look after.”

“This far into the city? No, there are too many questions. Come, and let us have answers.”

Theren darted out from the alley, for Dasko and the cart had turned down a side street. Ebon and Kalem hastened to follow. From building to building they scuttled, keeping always in the shadows, though in truth Dasko and the High King’s guard did not seem overly cautious. They never looked about—and why should they? They were in the middle of the street. It was not as though they moved in secrecy.

Soon Kalem grew impatient. “This is folly. Clearly they are up to nothing nefarious, and the Yearsend feast will be starting soon.”

“Leave if you wish,” said Theren. “I mean to see where they are going.”

Kalem clearly considered it, and Ebon was almost tempted. But just as he had resolved to leave, the cart pulled to a stop, and the guards took position at its rear. It had halted in front of a modest stone dwelling, two stories like the Drayden manor, but nowhere near as lavish. But Ebon noted that none of the other buildings on this street had doors accessible from this side—their front entrances were all on other sides, other streets. It gave the home a sense of isolation, and there were few passers-by.

Theren drew them farther out of sight into the alley. “Sky above,” she breathed. “Why are there so many guards?”

Ebon blinked, for at first he could not see what she was talking about. But then he looked again. There were two more guards from the High King’s palace, one at each of the building’s front corners. Near the home’s front door stood two figures in regular clothing—yet when Ebon looked closer, he recognized two instructors from the Academy, neither wearing their traditional dark grey robes. Then Theren pointed to the roof, and Ebon saw two red hoods silhouetted against the sky. Mystics, standing guard from on high.

“What is Dasko doing?” said Ebon. “What could possibly justify this many guards?”

“Never mind their number,” said Kalem. “Why three different groups? What would the High King, the Academy, and the Mystics all wish to guard?”

“What indeed?” grated a harsh voice just behind them.

Ebon jumped and turned around, heart in his throat. There behind them stood Xain. Kalem gave a little squeak, and Theren’s face grew stony.

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