Yowler Foul-Up by David Lee Stone

Author:David Lee Stone [Stone, David Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4804-6148-2
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2014-01-10T00:52:00+00:00

THIRTY-THREE

AN EAR-SPLITTING SCREAM ECHOED through the palace corridors. There was a lengthy pause, then …

“What is the meaning of this disruption?” the viscount boomed. He’d been somewhat taken aback when Secretary Spires had rushed into his private chambers (once again without knocking) accompanied by a bedraggled stranger in a dirty overcoat. He made a mental note to execute his chamber guards, assuming he could find them.

Obegarde, still panting heavily from the night’s exertions, took a step back and collapsed into one of the palace’s hard marble chairs. Spires was less keen to be silent, and stood at the edge of Curfew’s desk, his hands visibly shaking.

“Now,” the viscount began, “I’m sure you’re here on the most urgent of business, but still, I’d appreciate it if you at least made an attempt to announce yourself. These intrusions really are most …” He trailed off as he saw the secretary’s expression. “What is it, man?”

“I have vital news, Excellency.”

“What news? Who is this fellow?”

“First things first, master. The young lady you asked me to trace—I searched the palace for info, asked every employee. I turned up nothing.”

“Unfortunate …”

“Yes, but then I spoke to the Yowlers.”

“You did what? Without my permission! You imbecile! You do realize that anything you say reflects on me? Do you know how many Yowler groups there are in this city? Moreover, do you know how many Yowlers there are in this quarter of the city? If you’ve compromised my posit—”

“Don’t worry, Excellency! Please, don’t worry! The news isn’t as bad as we think—”

“Oh, it’s bad all right,” Obegarde interrupted.

“Quiet! You’ll get your turn, whoever you are.”

“I’m just saying—”

“Well, don’t. Let him finish. Go on, Spires.”

The secretary passed a set of parchments to the viscount. “I think you should take a look at these profiles, Excellency.”

Curfew studied the scrolls, his cheek twitching as his eyes progressed down each page.

“Moors, Edwy, the Lark? Who are these people?”

“A breakaway section of the Yowlers, Excellency.”

“How breakaway, exactly? Breakaway as in still tied to, or breakaway as in totally broken? I don’t want to end up murdered in my bed—”

“They’re total outcasts, Excellency; I assure you. They deserted the main order last year to start up on their own. The ruling brotherhood say they won’t have anything to do with them because they’re all mad.”

Curfew swallowed a few times and wiped his brow with the back of his hand.

Spires slowly took back the parchments and continued. “Moors, Edwy, and Lopsalm are all ex-priests from the order. We think the fourth member, the one known as the Lark, might be our girl Lauris.”

Curfew snatched the parchments back and rifled through them. “Hmm … these aren’t very good. Apart from the fact that this Moors is supposed to be grossly obese, we don’t have an awful lot to go on; most of these pictures are drawn in crayon.”

“Yes, Excellency—our artist was working from a few vague descriptions. But wait! There’s more. The Yowlers say that one of their grand churches was recently sold to this Lopsalm character for a sum referred to as considerable.

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.