Read Online Fair Wind to Widdershins by Allan Frewin Jones - Free Book Online Page A

for everything that has ever happened in this world, and everything that is happening right now, and everything that will ever happen.” He smiled. “It’s quite a task, I can tell you!”
    “I would imagine so,” said Trundle. “Forgive me for asking … but why do you do all those things?”
    “To accumulate knowledge, my lad,” said Percy with a hint of pride in his voice. “It’s a never-ending task, you know. For instance, the Directorate of Spatial Interluditudes has the task of measuring the distances between every single island in the whole of the Sundered Lands.”
    “Lawks!” said Jack.
    “Lawks indeed, my fine fellow,” agreed Percy. “The problem is that the islands are constantly moving about by tiny amounts, so no sooner is the chart complete than they have to start all over again.”
    “Phew!” Esmeralda blew out her cheeks. “What a total waste of time.”
    “The search for knowledge is never a waste of time!” said Percy. “Ah! Here we are. Almost there!”
    He opened a door. They walked out into a wide corridor.
    A bunch of armed guards were loitering nearby. They turned and raised their weapons as they saw the three friends emerge through the doorway.
    “Got you!” leered one of them. “But you don’t have to come quietly—in fact, make as much noise as you like! I love the sound of screaming prisoners!”

T he three companions backed away from the looming guards, Trundle fumbling for his sword.
    “What’s going on here?” asked the Herald Pursuivant, coming through the doorway and looking the guards up and down.
    “Escorting prisoners to the dungeons, sir,” said the chief guard, standing up stiffly and saluting. “As per Doctor Brockwise’s orders, sir.”
    “Nonsense,” said Percy. “These fellows are my new apprentice clerks. I think you must have made some kind of mistake, Sergeant Fawkes.”
    “Don’t think so, begging your pardon, sir,” said Fawkes. “We was told they’d have a crown and a key on ’em.” He pointed to Esmeralda. “She’s got them very objects in her mitts, sir.”
    “Indeed she has,” agreed Percy. “They belong to my archives and are no concern of yours,” he continued, a stern tone entering his voice. “And the longer you waste time bandying words with me, Fawkes, the farther from your clutches the real perpetrators will be!” His eye glinted. “Chop, chop, Sergeant! There are dangerous fugitives on the loose!”
    “Yes, sir.” The sergeant spun on his heel. “About face, men. Quick march!” The guards stomped off down the corridor. As they rounded the corner, Trundle saw the sergeant give the three of them a rather peeved look.
    “Nice going, Percy,” grinned Esmeralda.
    The Herald Pursuivant now led them to a tall circular room lined with bookshelves. A spiral staircase on wheels wound its way up to the high, domed glass ceiling. In the middle of the room stood a round marble-topped table.
    Percy wheeled the staircase around and then climbed up to a high shelf. Tucking a book under his arm, he came back down. He laid the book carefully on the tabletop. It was big and thick, bound with brown leather with curious patterns and designs embossed on it.
    Trundle gazed at the title, picked out in gold leaf.
Ye Complyte and Uttre Tome of Insignias and Arms, Cheerfullie Illustrated
    Trundle’s snout wrinkled as Percy opened the book. Its dusty and musty smell tickled his nose till he wanted to sneeze.
    “This book lists every coat of arms, motto, escutcheon, crest, charge, badge, and tincture ever used in heraldry,” Percy explained as he turned the thick, creaking pages. “Show me the key again, Esmeralda.”
    She held it up so he could see the mysterious seal.
    “Hmm, hmmm,” he said, turning more pages. “A saltire with bars and bells, hmm, hmm.”
    Trundle peered around his elbow, dazzled by the number of different coats of arms on display. There were several on each page, all in full color and each with an explanation