Read Online Summoner: Book 1: The Novice by Taran Matharu - Free Book Online

challenged over Didric’s laughter. He ran his hand along the lip of the stone covering the crypt entrance, frantically calculating. He knew that there was another entrance to the catacombs below, in an abandoned chapel just outside the graveyard. If he could somehow get this entrance open, he might be able to get out through there. He felt the telltale crack underneath that told him that a heavy tablet sealed the entrance. It was a long shot, but he would need to lever the lid off in slow stages so the others didn’t notice. It was a good thing Didric loved the sound of his own voice.
    As Jakov and Calista joined in the laughter, Fletcher eased the tablet a fraction away from him, flinching as he heard the scrape of stone against stone. This was going to take longer than he thought.
    ‘You idiot, we aren’t here to beat you up either,’ Didric said with glee, barely containing his mirth. ‘No, we’re here to kill you, Fletcher. How perfect that you chose a graveyard to come to tonight. Hiding your body will be easy.’
    Fletcher’s blood froze as he heard the rasp of swords being drawn from their scabbards. He gritted his teeth and heaved, succeeding in pushing the tablet back another inch, but it wasn’t enough. He needed more time.
    ‘Kill me? With Pinkertons in town? You’re more of a fool than I thought. Berdon knows where I am, he will go straight to them if I’m not home soon,’ he bluffed. But Didric ignored him and took a half-step forward.
    Fletcher tried again. ‘Half the village saw our fight last night. You’re going to spend the rest of your lives in prison over a disagreement that only started two days ago?’
    He spoke loudly, trying to cover the grating sound as he managed another few inches. Didric paused and laughed.
    ‘Oh, Fletcher. My dear father has the Pinkertons wrapped around his little finger,’ Didric said, unconcerned. ‘They’d sooner arrest each other than the son of their new business partner.’ Fletcher paused and tried to think. Business partner? What was Didric talking about?
    ‘In fact, perhaps I will tell you what transpired over dinner a few hours ago, just so you know what is going to happen to your precious village after you’re six feet under,’ Didric continued, blocking Jakov and Calista with his arms as they began to stride past him. ‘You two are going to learn why sticking with me is a good career move.’
    ‘Go on then. Enlighten me, why don’t you?’ Fletcher said, pushing the stone tablet far enough so that there was a crack of empty space below it. He caught a waft of trapped air from the crypt below, stale as old parchment.
    ‘As I’m sure that fraud soldier has told you, convicted criminals are going to be press-ganged into the army. A pessimal idea in my opinion, but where others see stupidity, my father sees opportunity,’ Didric boasted, leaning on his sword. ‘The prisoners will be transported by day, bedding down in each city’s prison at night, where they are safe and secure. Yet when they reach the northern-most city of Boreas, it is another two days to the elven front lines. That means they will have to overnight in the forest, not ideal at all. Why, any band of marauders could attack the convoy in the dead of night, and there would be no jail cells to keep the prisoners from escaping. But do you know what stands right between Boreas and the frontier? Our fair village of Pelt, of course.’
    Fletcher was getting sick of Didric’s pretentious tone, but he knew that his life depended on the boy’s bragging.
    ‘So what? They can’t stay here. It’s too small. What are you going to do, hire out some of the spare rooms in your house?’ Fletcher said. He managed to slide his hands into the crack and grip the bottom of the stone lid, getting more leverage. He might be able to throw off the lid in one motion and dive in, but he would rather wait until Didric was in full flow and get a silent head start. He was probably going to need it, as