The Grim Company by Luke Scull

Author:Luke Scull
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2013-08-04T16:00:00+00:00

The Chosen One

“Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Three-Finger didn’t answer. He hadn’t moved for hours, or uttered so much as a word in response to any of Cole’s numerous questions. The convict was curled up on the shiny black marble that formed the circular roof of the Tower of Stars, his back to the young Shard and his battered cloak pulled tight around him, though it wasn’t a particularly cold night.

“We’ve been stuck up here for three days now. How much longer before the White Lady decides what to do with us?”

There was no reply.

“It’s enough to drive you mad. No wonder they call it the Tower of Stars.” He stared glumly at the marble beneath his feet. The polished surface was a perfect reflection of the clear night sky above. “I think I’m losing my mind.”

He walked over to the edge of the tower and risked a glance down at the city. From this height the various buildings looked like models from the handcrafted diorama Garrett had given him on his twelfth naming day. He had thought it a silly toy, until he learned its true purpose had been to help him understand the layout of a certain section of the Noble Quarter he would later rob—in particular the quickest escape route in the event of an emergency.

He suppressed a shudder. The Tower of Stars was the tallest structure in Thelassa, or so he had been told. It was completely open to the elements, with no barrier around its circumference. According to the captain of The Lady’s Luck, who had brought them both to the tower, the Magelord of the city encouraged the accused to take matters into their own hands. Suicide was viewed as a welcome admission of guilt that saved everyone a lot of time and bother.

Except, Cole supposed, for the unfortunate souls tasked with keeping the streets of Thelassa clean. He imagined a jumper would make quite a mess when they finally splattered onto the streets hundreds of feet below. He had no intention of ending his own life, but the boredom was starting to get to him.

“I just don’t understand it,” he said, deciding that if Three-Finger wasn’t going to participate in this discussion then he might as well talk for both of them. “All I’ve ever wanted is to make the world a better place. I risked my life trying to save an old man from the Black Lottery, did you know that? A waste of time that was.”

Three-Finger said nothing.

“Even among the Shards I never seem to receive the recognition I deserve.” He sighed and stretched out his muscles. It was another mild evening, at least.

“The problem is envy,” he said quietly. “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t the son of a legendary hero. If I was just a common sort—like you, Three-Finger—no one would begrudge me respect. I’ve worked so damned hard to become the man I am. That’s what people don’t appreciate.”

Three-Finger grunted and shifted slightly. He took that as an encouraging sign.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.