Read Online Family of Lies: Sebastian by Sam Argent - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sam Argent
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the castle. Sure, I wanted to shoot you because of it, but that was when I thought you attacked our prince. I only harm a man if I think he’s a killer or a traitor. You’re neither, so go on and talk,” Lieutenant Adams encouraged.
If I didn’t cherish my life, I would have drugged those damn rolls with sleeping powder so I could ride in peace, Sebastian thought . Even the sound of six pairs of hooves trotting in step with his horse grated on his nerves.
“Permission to speak, Lieutenant,” a female soldier spoke up behind Sebastian.
“Permission granted,” Adams said.
“Since you’re not from around here, sir, you probably haven’t heard of the Orwell family. They’re a bunch of charlatans who pretend to be wizards and can only be married off to monstrous sorts.”
Sebastian stayed silent because it was mostly true. Troll, incubus, undine. There weren’t many creatures left that his siblings hadn’t married into thanks to his mother’s fey blood. It was either a powerful wizard with an extended life or other mixed humans the Orwell children could marry so they wouldn’t outlive their spouses by centuries.
“You’re a strange fella, Sir Orwell. Many men would be up in arms at such an insult, but you don’t bat an eye… I think.” Lieutenant Adams squinted at Sebastian’s cloaked body.
Sebastian shrugged again. “My family can defend themselves.”
“What about your cloak?” Lieutenant Adams pointed at it. “There’s a lot of magic in that thing.”
“I purchased it from a fortune-teller.”
“Are you lying?” Adams asked.
“Probably,” Sebastian said, and Adams gave up on speaking to him. They reached Bruwen before first light, and Harold’s plush couch called to him. Sebastian glanced at the soldiers. Finding a place to sleep is their problem.
Lieutenant Adams held the lead until little roads began meandering from the main one. “Which way, young sir?”
“After we pass three more roads on the left, we’ll take the right one directly after them.”
“Who are you going to see? Why not leave in the morning?” Lieutenant Adams asked, talkative again now that Sebastian had confirmed their destination was close.
“A bookseller,” Sebastian said.
Lieutenant Adams looked back in annoyance. “Can’t you ever give a proper answer to anything?”
“No.” Sebastian smiled under his hood as the lieutenant groaned.
Most of the shops were dark, and only a few street lamps glowed so late at night. But even without light, Sebastian still recognized the sign with a pen carved out of one of its corners. “There’s a stable behind it where we can tether our horses,” he announced while riding off the path. The soldiers followed him to the well-maintained barn that always had feed and water stocked. “The king pays for these supplies, so don’t be shy.”
They walked to the front, and Sebastian knocked on the door. Several moments passed and no one came. Sebastian sighed. I could use my magic without banging on the door if I was by myself. Or maybe I can do a little something. He pictured the plant sitting on Harold’s desk and imagined it growing a vine to tweak the man’s nose. A startled yelp could be heard from inside the house, and Adams leaned closer.
The door opened and illuminated Harold standing with his glasses dangling off his face. “It’s too darn late. I had an inkwell next to my hand and almost spilled it in my sleep,” he complained while stepping away from the door so the soldiers could stream inside.
Despite the late hour, Harold Bast was fully dressed. A short tan vest over a brown button-down shirt tucked into darker pants, and he looked ready to open. Sebastian couldn’t blame him. The wizard was often visited by important guests during all times of the day. It amazed him how a man with actual power never let it go to his head. Harold hugged Sebastian tightly. “I expected you days ago, but Frederick told me about your troubles. I’m starting to
If I didn’t cherish my life, I would have drugged those damn rolls with sleeping powder so I could ride in peace, Sebastian thought . Even the sound of six pairs of hooves trotting in step with his horse grated on his nerves.
“Permission to speak, Lieutenant,” a female soldier spoke up behind Sebastian.
“Permission granted,” Adams said.
“Since you’re not from around here, sir, you probably haven’t heard of the Orwell family. They’re a bunch of charlatans who pretend to be wizards and can only be married off to monstrous sorts.”
Sebastian stayed silent because it was mostly true. Troll, incubus, undine. There weren’t many creatures left that his siblings hadn’t married into thanks to his mother’s fey blood. It was either a powerful wizard with an extended life or other mixed humans the Orwell children could marry so they wouldn’t outlive their spouses by centuries.
“You’re a strange fella, Sir Orwell. Many men would be up in arms at such an insult, but you don’t bat an eye… I think.” Lieutenant Adams squinted at Sebastian’s cloaked body.
Sebastian shrugged again. “My family can defend themselves.”
“What about your cloak?” Lieutenant Adams pointed at it. “There’s a lot of magic in that thing.”
“I purchased it from a fortune-teller.”
“Are you lying?” Adams asked.
“Probably,” Sebastian said, and Adams gave up on speaking to him. They reached Bruwen before first light, and Harold’s plush couch called to him. Sebastian glanced at the soldiers. Finding a place to sleep is their problem.
Lieutenant Adams held the lead until little roads began meandering from the main one. “Which way, young sir?”
“After we pass three more roads on the left, we’ll take the right one directly after them.”
“Who are you going to see? Why not leave in the morning?” Lieutenant Adams asked, talkative again now that Sebastian had confirmed their destination was close.
“A bookseller,” Sebastian said.
Lieutenant Adams looked back in annoyance. “Can’t you ever give a proper answer to anything?”
“No.” Sebastian smiled under his hood as the lieutenant groaned.
Most of the shops were dark, and only a few street lamps glowed so late at night. But even without light, Sebastian still recognized the sign with a pen carved out of one of its corners. “There’s a stable behind it where we can tether our horses,” he announced while riding off the path. The soldiers followed him to the well-maintained barn that always had feed and water stocked. “The king pays for these supplies, so don’t be shy.”
They walked to the front, and Sebastian knocked on the door. Several moments passed and no one came. Sebastian sighed. I could use my magic without banging on the door if I was by myself. Or maybe I can do a little something. He pictured the plant sitting on Harold’s desk and imagined it growing a vine to tweak the man’s nose. A startled yelp could be heard from inside the house, and Adams leaned closer.
The door opened and illuminated Harold standing with his glasses dangling off his face. “It’s too darn late. I had an inkwell next to my hand and almost spilled it in my sleep,” he complained while stepping away from the door so the soldiers could stream inside.
Despite the late hour, Harold Bast was fully dressed. A short tan vest over a brown button-down shirt tucked into darker pants, and he looked ready to open. Sebastian couldn’t blame him. The wizard was often visited by important guests during all times of the day. It amazed him how a man with actual power never let it go to his head. Harold hugged Sebastian tightly. “I expected you days ago, but Frederick told me about your troubles. I’m starting to
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