If Light Above (A War of Whispers Book 1) by Lily Anne Crow

Author:Lily Anne Crow [Crow, Lily Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Raven & Rum Press
Published: 2022-01-27T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

The evening was warm, a remnant of the heat of summer, despite the setting of the sun earlier and earlier each night. If the past few years were any indication, autumn would come on swiftly once the month of Angarramon came to an end.

Pight walked beside Osmund as they made their way up the Lower Western Stair and into Midtown. Senzen had done an excellent job of altering one of Osmund’s own shirts to fit the lad, and with a vest made of old but attractive curtain brocade, and the boy’s own breeches, freshly cleaned and mended, Pight looked respectable. Of course, he’d also bathed and combed out his unruly brown curls, which helped complete the transformation.

As they moved up the steps, Osmund tested Pight on propriety around nobility in a variety of circumstances.

“You have to be on your best behavior around nobles. They might look down on you for being lowborn, but don’t let that stop you from being polite and courteous. And of course, no pilfering.”

The ten-year-old grumbled, fussing with his hair. “I know, Master Benwickery.”

“Well, I didn’t think I had to say it out loud, but still … best to be clear.” They paused at the top of the stair. “Now, if Her Grace offers you food or drink, what do you do?”

“I’ll accept a small amount with thanks, but I won’t ask for seconds.”

Osmund nodded. “Very good. And if you need to use the lavatory?”

“I’ll find the nearest potted plant … and …” He glanced sidelong at Osmund with a mischievous grin. When the captain general met his eyes, Pight laughed. “Kiddin’! Only kiddin’. I’ll ask, ‘If I may …?’ With a ‘please’ and a ‘thank you,’ of course.”

“Good.”

The odd pair continued on, south through the Midtown streets, until they reached Djarhawood Court. At the end sat the home of the Duke and Duchess of Aigelle, high gray stone walls, and plentiful late-summer flowers behind the black iron gate.

“Will the duke be home?” asked the boy.

Osmund shook his head. “Unlikely. He’ll have stayed at the castle with King Edrick for the mourning feast.”

Pight nodded, bowing his head. “She seemed like a really nice lady, the queen. So sad that she died.”

“She was indeed well loved.” Osmund made sure his dead arm was well secured inside his sling and started forward. “Let’s see what comes of this visit, shall we?”

As the duke’s investigator, and a known acquaintance of Val Drichta, Osmund had no trouble gaining access to the estate. The guard at the main gate barely even gave Pight a second glance, though the lad had a good look up and down at the man until Osmund tapped the boy’s shoulder.

Inside, two carriages were parked at the side of the huge home, each with a single horse hitched to a nearby rail. The livery on the footmen was vaguely familiar.

“Hmm. They have guests.” It wasn’t surprising, considering so many visitors had come from outside the city to attend the funeral.

At the front door, they had slightly more resistance.

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