Read Online All The King's-Men (The Yellow Hoods, #3) by Adam Dreece - Free Book Online Page B

worries,” she said. “I appreciated having a moment to myself. It’s been quite the hectic day, and a very long night.”
    “Is it always this busy?” asked Nikolas.
    The barmaid’s eyebrows went up. “Oh, it’s been a madhouse lately, but it’s usually pretty quiet. The other night, though, we had another rowdy bunch like these ones, dressed similarly, too. They headed out west, I think.” She put the tray she’d been absentmindedly holding in front of herself under her arm. “What would you like to eat? We still have a couple of items off the… oh, I didn’t bring you menus.”
    “It’s okay,” said Marcus, sporting a charming smile. “Do you have that meat pie? I had it when I was here before.”
    “Yes…” she said, glancing over her shoulder at the innkeeper, who was starting to collect the coins left everywhere. “Em, do we have meat pies in the ov’?”
    “A couple.”
    Marcus continued. “That, and a cup of hot water.“
    The barmaid was staring at Marcus intently, and then snapped her fingers. “Oh, you’re Lord Pieman.” She did a sloppy curtsey. “I’ve never met a lord before.”
    Marcus stiffened, his jaw tensed. “Pardon?”
    The barmaid went flush. “Oh, sorry, was I not supposed to say anything? It’s just that the reservation for all the rooms was under that name. When you said—”
    “That’s fine. I was just… surprised,” said Marcus, his smile shifting to a plastic grimace. He found it hard to believe that for the first time in decades of traveling, one of his aids had made such a reservation in his actual name. This felt deliberate.
    Turning to Nikolas, the barmaid asked, “And for you, sir?”
    “Does the pie have a baked crust?” asked Nikolas.
    “Yes, it does,” said the barmaid cheerfully.
    “Do you have anything else that is baked?” he asked hopefully. “I have a craving for this, yes?”
    The barmaid looked back at the innkeeper for a moment. “We might have some pastries left. Would you like me to check? I think they might be two days old.”
    Marcus shook his head as he watched the last of the soldiers leave. “Dessert discussion before the meal? How absurd. Never mind discussing stale pastries.”
    Nikolas gave the barmaid a serious stare, and said in a soft tone, “I’d really appreciate it, even if they are two days old. Some things are important to me.”
    “Emery, do we still have any of those pastries?” she yelled over her shoulder, maintaining eye contact with Nikolas.
    “Go look for yourself! Who works for who?” he yelled back.
    “Whom,” muttered the barmaid.
    That got Marcus’ attention. He reached for her hand as she started to leave.
    “Pardon my rudeness,” said Marcus, “but what did you say?”
    The barmaid was startled. “What?” she said, frowning at Marcus blankly.
    He glanced at Nikolas, who was equally surprised. “Never mind. My apologies. Rash actions of a tired mind,” he said, leaning back in his chair.

CHAPTER SEVEN

An Eg Unscrambled
     
    Richy and Egelina-Marie approached one of the eastern entrances of Mineau very carefully, staying well- hidden in the brush at the edge of the Red Forest. 
    The strange glow against the midnight sky had turned out to be towering flames. The closer they’d gotten, the less real it had seemed. Somehow a war had taken place in a matter of hours, with buildings set ablaze and wreckage strewn about. The snapping and popping of the flames were occasionally interrupted by rifle, pistol, and cannon fire. Every now and then they could hear people screaming. 
    Advancing on their hands and knees, Richy asked anxiously, “What the yig happened here?”
    “Richy!” said Egelina-Marie, surprised to hear him curse.
    A smile broke on his tense face. “What? You’re not my mom,” he replied cheekily.
    Egelina-Marie laughed at herself. Of all the things in that moment to be concerned about, she’d jumped on him for a silly word choice. The youthful side of her didn’t want to