Read Online Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes - Free Book Online Page A

heard of a few scattered rebel groups—both Auranian and Paelsian—causing difficulties. Destroying property, inciting riots.”
    Inciting riots?
Brion and Jonas exchanged a curious glance.
    Such rumors sounded as if the rebels were aimless in their goals. They were not. Everything Jonas chose to do—be it property destruction, poaching for food, or stealing a ready supply of weapons for practice and protection—was to create a stronger group of rebels who would be ready to rise up fully against the king when the time was right. He also focused much of his attention on recruiting new rebels to enter his ranks.
    Jonas’s main reason to journey to Hawk’s Brow was to source new recruits. As the largest city in Auranos, less than a half day’s journey from the City of Gold, it was a key area where Jonas knew he needed rebel support. Just that morning, Jonas had convinced a young and pretty Hawk’s Brow maiden to join their cause, and to await his future instructions. The riots this boy spoke of, though, must be the work of other factions—perhaps even Auranians. It was a good indication that they weren’t all as useless as this one.
    The boy continued, “I’ve also heard that any rebels who are captured are put to death. What sane person would ever want to join their ranks?” His gaze then shifted with growing alarm between the two boys, as if realization had finally dawned on him with whom he spoke. “I, uh, really must be on my way. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”
    “Oh, we will,” Jonas called after him as he scurried away without another word. “We certainly will.”
    “Definitely
not
rebel material,” Brion murmured.
    “Perhaps one day, but not today. He hasn’t seen nearly enough hardship.”
    “He actually smelled like jasmine and citrus. Who smells like jasmine and citrus?”
    “Certainly not you,” Jonas said, laughing. “When was the last time you . . .” His words trailed off as he saw a fresco on the side of a building of King Gaius’s handsome face. The words S TRENGTH , F AITH , and W ISDOM —the Limerian credo—were in the mosaic below, along with the larger word T OGETHER .
    “He’s doing it,” Jonas grumbled. “That bastard is fooling them into submission with his shiny speeches and pretty promises. They don’t realize that he’d happily destroy them at his whim.”
    “Hey, where are you going?” Brion called after him as Jonas marched across the road toward the mural. The artist must have just finished, for the plaster was still wet. Jonas began to tear at it, smearing what could be smeared and crumbling the dry parts away in his hands.
    “Jonas, we should go,” Brion cautioned him.
    “I won’t let him win. We need to show everyone what a liar he is.” His fingers had quickly begun to bleed from the effort.
    “We will. I mean, we
are
. We’re going to make a difference.” Brion looked nervously over his shoulder at the people that were gathering to see the vandalism of the king’s mural. “Remember those Auranian rebels who lost their heads last week?”
    Jonas’s hands stilled. He’d managed to destroy the king’s face completely. It was very satisfying to wipe away the smug expression. He longed to do it in real life. “Yes.”
    “Let’s not join them, all right? And on that note, let’s start running.”
    Jonas’s gaze whipped to the right to see that several guards were drawing closer, their swords in hand.
    “Stop!” one shouted at them. “In the name of the king!”
    Running was definitely a good suggestion.
    “Your new king lies to you all!” Jonas yelled at the crowd as he and Brion darted past them. A girl with long dark hair and light-brown eyes studied him curiously and he directed his next words at her. “The King of Blood will pay for his crimes against Paelsia! Do you stand next to a deceitful tyrant or do you stand with me and my rebels?”
    If he could change just one mind today, then it would be worth it.
    The guards