Read Online Knight's End (The Knight Trilogy) by Jami Montgomery - Free Book Online

relaxed again.  He made his way to his bed, plopping down on its soft surface and resting his elbows on his knees. He leaned forwards, placing his face in his palms, and swung his legs back and forth.
    I have to find a way to help Aston, he thought. It would do him no good sitting around in his room. As much as he disliked the idea of disobeying Madam Louise twice in one day, he knew he had to leave to investigate . Richie stood again, tiptoeing to his door. He would have to be sneaky and sly, like Aston when he went on his missions. The boy grinned, making a game out of the job and turning it into an adventure.
    Richie crept down the hallway on his toes, listening for guards and bandits as he made his way through the castle, he thought, narrating his adventure. If the guards saw him he would be locked in the dungeon, but he had to save the damsel from the ferocious beast. H e was halfway down the hallway now, his face grim.
    As he heard approaching footsteps, he crushed himself to the wall, sucking in his stomach and being as still as possible. As soon as the sound was gone, he resumed his mission.
    He was almost caught by a dungeon troll, but managed to escape! He slowed his steps as he neared the throne room, listening for the King’s even breathing to suggest he was asleep. Due to living in the palace his entire life, Richie knew King Donn took a nap every afternoon, while the sun was at its highest position in the sky. The boy snuck into the room, leaving the doors open just a crack so as not to arouse suspicion.
    True to his schedule, King Donn was asleep on his cha ir. Richie wasn’t sure why the k ing wouldn’t return to his room to nap, but he pushed the thought aside as he crept soundlessly down the carpet, stopping in front of the throne.
    “If I were a clue, where would I hide?” h e asked himself, keeping his voice low. The king was holding an envelope in his hand, but Richie didn’t dare try and take it. The rest of the room was clean. He searched around and under all three thrones, looked at all of the columns, and even checked under the rug. Nothing useful was hidden there.
    The boy jumped as the door he’d left partially open started to swing inwards. He leapt behind Prince Talbot’s throne and made himself as small as possible, his heart racing at the prospect of being caught.
    King Donn shifted in his throne, h is head falling forwards toward his chest. He jerked awake, shaking his head to clear the last of the drowsiness from his mind. Looking up, he noticed T albot walking toward him. The k ing cleared his throat before speaking.
    “Talbot, son. What news do you bring?”
    Talbot bowed his head at his father before taking a seat in his own throne. “No word, Father. Aston is nowhere to be found. The guard has their best hounds after him now, but we fear he may have crossed the river. If that is true, we won’t find his trail.” T he prince’s voice was thick with anger.
    Richie cowered behind the throne, silently praying that he wouldn’t be caught.
    “I am sure they will find him, Talbot. A traitor like that is bound to make a mistake. He’s probably still running, leaving this place as far behind as he possibly can. The coward.”
    “Yes, Father. I am sure you are right. Any word from King Aric? Does he know where the Rogue will strike next?”
    Behind the throne, Richie raised his head, his interest peaked. This was th e lead he had been waiting for!
    “Nothing from King Aric. However, Duke Roland of Northsbury sends word that his king has been targeted. They wish for assistance.”
    “Do you plan on off ering them help, Father?” the prince aske d, his tone hopeful.
    “I wasn’t going to. What do I care of a country so far from our own?” King Donn answered, dismissing t he idea with a wave of his hand, which Richie could just see around the side of Talbot’s throne.
    “Let me go, Father.” Silence. Then, Talbot elaborated. “If you were a knight who let a deranged murderer