Read Online Last Knight (The Champion Chronicles Book 2) by Brad Clark - Free Book Online Page B

his group, but his eyes were fully cleared up.  “What is it?” Berrien asked, his slurring speech gone.  “What is the job?”
                  “How much have you drunk?” Hibold asked.
                  “Same as every night,” Berrien said.  “Just enough to look like I’m drinking.  That stuff tastes like death.”
                  “Prince Tarcious is putting together a delegation to Karmon.”
                  “Tarcious?” Berrien asked.
                  “Don’t worry, he won’t know that it is you who will be going.  At least not until you are there.”
                  “So he hasn’t forgotten?”
                  “If you were him, would you have forgotten?”
                  “I said I was sorry.”
                  “You broke his leg.”
                  “He recovered.”
                  “He has a long memory,” Hibold said.  “He won’t let it go, but if you do this, then he will finally forgive you.”
                  “Are you sure?  Being on the bad side of the emperor’s brother has not been really that great for my career.”
                  “Which is why I’ve always been around to help you.”
                  Berrien glanced around a moment and then looked back at Hibold.  “You have, but I think you have gained more than me with all these little jobs that I’ve helped you with.   How’d that thing go with Sir Heffinfool, by the way?”
                  “Lord Neffenmark,” Hibold said.  “And not well.  That’s why I need you.”
                  “Always cleaning up your mess, huh?”
                  “Do you want the job, or not?”
                  Berrien looked around one last time, thinking about all the fun and depravity that he would miss.  “What’s the purpose of this delegation?”
                  “It’s too loud here,” Hibold said.
                  Berrien smiled and laughed.  “Of course it is.  The perfect place for sharing secrets?”
                  “Has a loud room ever stopped you from picking up what you wanted to hear?”
                  The smile got wide.  “Of course not.”
                  “There is a ship leaving for Karmon tomorrow.  It is a small cargo ship.  Be on it.  I will give you all the information you need there.”
                  “Tomorrow?” Berrien asked, his eyes looking back at the entertainment around him.
                  “First light.”
                  “I’ll be there.  Do not worry.”  He patted Hibold on the shoulder and returned to the laughter of his group.
     
    ***
     
    Queen Elissa stepped through the exit, holding the metal grate above her head.  Once through, she let it down slowly so that it wouldn’t make any sound.  She paused for a moment, and thought of Conner.  He had been here, only a few weeks ago, as he made his escape from the castle.  She wondered how he had felt at that time.  Was he scared and alone?  She could not imagine him being scared.  He never showed any fear, which surprised her.  She had seen the greatest of knights show fear, and admit to it.  But Conner was fearless, she knew.  And a survivor. 
    The alley was shaded by the tall wall that surrounded the castle grounds.  The coolness of the afternoon sent a shiver through her.  Summer had passed into fall and the days couldn’t decide if they wanted to be warm or cold.  The cool day did offer her the opportunity to wear clothes that helped hide her appearance.  With her cloak pulled tightly around her and the hood below her eyes, she walked quickly out of the alley and into the city.  She needed to get away from the castle as quickly as she could.  All the responsibilities and duties