Read Online Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale - Free Book Online Page A

Clemen began the march again. Some shouted “For Danland!” and “The Shoeless!” Some danced, merry just at the idea of the changes to come.
    Miri swayed, full of the rhythm and tempted by the gaiety. Again emotions wrestled inside her—joy with anxiety, eagerness with shyness.
    Britta. What would happen to her if the people really did topple the king? Britta did not seem that attached to Steffan’s father or too concerned about being a princess. Perhaps Britta and Steffan would be happier giving up the duties of royalty and living in Lonway. Still, the thought made Miri uneasy, and she glanced at the door.
    But Lady Sisela put her soft hand on Miri’s cheek, leading her gaze back. Her voice was low and only for Miri’s ears.
    “I knew, the moment I saw you, that you are a girl of much power, Miri of Mount Eskel,” she said. “Having you on our side is an honor.”
    “Thank you. I mean, the honor’s mine. I’m just happy to be here.” Miri felt a timid giggle tickle her chest and forced herself to keep it down.
    They talked and ate and sang for hours, it seemed. Yet it was still night when Miri stepped outside, as if time had paused. Rain had fallen. Glass lanterns hung from lampposts, kerosene-powered flames flicking gold into the air, sprinkling amber starbursts into puddles.
    Timon asked to walk her home.
    Not home , she reminded herself. To the palace.
    A man and woman with feathered caps nodded at Miri and Timon as they went by. A man in black stepped aside to let them pass.
    “I thought only scholars wore uniforms,” Miri said, “but everyone in Asland seems to. Some wear black—”
    “Servants,” said Timon.
    “Why do master scholars wear the black of servants?”
    “Scholars are meant to be servants to all.”
    “I see. Some men wear flat caps and brown jackets.”
    “Commoners,” said Timon. “The women wear the same flat caps but with—”
    “Knit shawls? Other women have lace shawls and feathered caps.”
    “Nobles.”
    Miri shook her head. “Poor nobles, dressing in bright colors. If they were as smart as master scholars, they’d choose nice stain-hiding black.”
    “Nobles aren’t concerned about washing their own delicate fabrics.”
    “Of course, the servants do it for them. Noblemen wear feathered caps … and swords too, right?”
    “Yes, because they have the right to use them.”
    “Wait … What am I wearing?” she asked.
    Timon stepped back to inspect her yellow silk dress and lace shawl, prepared for her by a palace seamstress. Miri could feel his gaze on her as if it were a wind that blew.
    “You, Lady Miri, are dressed as the noble that you are.”
    I’m a noble now? The realization made her strangely uneasy. She noticed Timon was wearing a flat cap, no feather, no sword. He placed her hand on his arm and continued to walk.
    “All graduates of the princess academy were named ladies of the princess, a title of nobility. Your father and sister, however, remain commoners. If your sister wore your clothes in Asland, a noble could employ his sword.”
    “What? You can’t mean that!”
    “You see why so many in this kingdom yearn for change,” he said.
    “And what do you yearn for, Timon?”
    “I want a country where all have the chance to succeed, regardless of who their parents are,” he said, his voice warming. “I want freedom to speak my mind without fear of execution. I want to live in a nation of possibilities, not a kingdom where the noble-born get richer and the poor get poorer.”
    Her heart beat harder as he spoke, and she scolded herself. She was supposed to be a spy, not jump into a dangerous movement with people she barely knew. Her pulse was pounding in her temples, and she rubbed at her brow.
    “Do you ever feel like you’re learning too much too fast?” Miri asked. “My skull feels like a goat-bladder balloon blown up too tight.” She peered at him from under her hand. “You don’t know what a goat-bladder balloon is, do you?”
    “I