Read Online Dark Legion by Paul Kleynhans - Free Book Online

but I could see her from the side. My eyes were glued on her, her uncommonly light hair like a beacon drawing attention to her thin neck, to her slim body, her bare, grass-stained feet, and I found her immediately attractive. She wore a very plain white dress, which I may not have noticed if not for the opulence displayed at the tables around her. She was staring at an unlit candle with great concentration, humming to herself. I continued to watch her as I took a sip of ale.
    I spat it back into the mug, sniffed at the ale, and tilted it to peer into the mug, before taking another sniff. It smelled like it tasted: awful. I was looking around the room for a pot plant to tip the ale into, when I saw a flash in the corner of my eye. At the same instant, a cold sensation trickled down my spine. Magic. What was with this place? I had not even been there a day, and I’d witnessed magic being used twice. Looking back at the girl, I saw the candle was lit, and she looked satisfied.
    The door burst open, and warden Adair stormed in. He leaned over the counter and started gesturing wildly, pointing at the Bleeding Wolf across the street. His words were quiet, but his face tense. Elijah looked confused. His eyes were on the ground, and he appeared to be pleading with the warden. Adair spoke a last word through gritted teeth, then stormed out again. Elijah rubbed at his face for a long moment, sighed, then put on a brave smile.
    I looked back at the girl, who had turned to the fireplace, her lips moving to silent words. An odd girl. I sniffed at my ale again and tried to discern the horrible aromas. I could pick out sage, and pine, and possibly myrica gale and wormwood. It was truly awful stuff. Any number of the herbs may have acted as a preservative, but I doubted they needed to use all of them in one ale.
    The doors opened again, and three hooded men entered. They approached Elijah, who was frantically looking around the inn. He ushered them into a room behind the counter and quickly closed the door. Soon, they were rushed back out again. I noticed that one of the men had a coin purse in his hand that he had not come in with. Elijah walked back to the counter and, seeing my eyes on him, quickly averted his own.
    The doors slammed open, startling Elijah, who already looked as nervous as a pig awaiting slaughter. When he saw it was Marcus, he relaxed and pointed at me. Marcus looked at the untouched mug of ale sitting on the table and smiled as he sat down. “It’s shit, isn’t it?” Marcus asked.
    â€œTerrible. I’ve been trying to devise a way to get rid of it.”
    â€œYou could just drink it.”
    â€œI’d rather nail my balls to my knee.”
    Marcus laughed and looked around the common room. “Nice place; how much for the room?”
    â€œI haven’t asked, but I doubt it will be cheap.” I leaned in closer to Marcus. “There are some strange things happening at the Shady Oak.”
    Marcus looked around the room again before turning back. “How so? Looks pretty normal to me.” I told him about the odd noises and lights from the cellar, and Elijah’s reaction when I tried to open the door. I explained the warden’s visit, and the mysterious hooded men leaving with the coin purse. “That does sound suspicious,” Marcus said.
    â€œWhat of your visit to the docks?” I asked.
    Marcus shook his head. “I found the imperial warehouse, but I couldn’t stay very long without looking suspicious. There are literally no jobs listed on that board. None.”
    â€œElijah said that might be the case. Something to do with taxes.”
    Marcus noticed that I was staring at the opposite corner and turned to see at what. Noticing the girl, he smiled but said nothing.
    Elijah walked over to us and placed a key on the table. It had a small wooden block attached, with the number seven carved into its side. “Your room is ready.”
    â€œI forgot to