Read Online The Coldstone Conflict by David Lee Stone - Free Book Online

well, and I don’t have the slightest idea where we are …”
    “S’all right: I’ll tell ya where we are.”
    Diek frowned. “How can you? You’re in a box.”
    “I know me way ’round. ’Sa wood, right?”
    “Um … it’s actually more like a jungle. It’s quite warm.”
    “South, then. Can only be Shadewell or Car’ fat. There ’ny big trees?”
    “I’m sorry; what was that?”
    “The trees; ’ny big ones?”
    Diek looked around him. “They’re ALL big.”
    “Are they fat ’an all?”
    “Er … reasonably, I suppose.”
    “Is there lots o’ vines wiv blue stuff drippin’ off ’em?”
    “Well … yes!”
    “An’ a lot o’ smashed-up statues lyin’ ’bout?”
    “Now that you come to mention it, I can see one or two …”
    “S’Car’ fat, then; you wanna ’ead east.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah.”
    “That’s brilliant!” Diek grinned. “Any other good advice?”
    “Yeah,” said Groan. “Never buy a moffskin coat off a bloke you only seen twice wearin’ it.”
    “Right,” Diek replied, weakly. “I’ll try to remember that.”
    They walked along in silence for a time, Diek trying to start random conversations to avoid the awkwardness of the situation. “Er … have you got a wife or children, Mr. Teethgrit?”
    “No’ really,” Groan boomed. “I got a boy somewhere; but I reckon they put ’im in ’idin’ an’ tol’ ’im I was dead.”
    “Why would they do that?”
    “I’m not ver’ ’sponsible.”
    “Oh. I see.” Diek swallowed a few times and tried to think of something else to say. “Er …” he began. “Do you have anything you’d like to ask me?”
    “Yeah.” Groan’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Are you that young ’chanter what took all them kids outta Dullitch?”
    Diek looked down at the box.
    “You catch on very fast, Mr. Teethgrit,” he said.
    “Fort so. The o’ wizard pushed ya into tha’ black ’ole an’ ended up goin’ in hisself. D’you ’member?”
    Jimmy Quickstint had decided that he didn’t like the crew of the Royal Consort. They were gruff, unwelcoming and very antisocial, and they certainly didn’t appreciate someone teaching them how to keep hold of their belongings.
    “All I’m saying,” Jimmy whispered to the captain, “is that by wearing a bracelet loose on your wrist, you’re inviting trouble. Here …”
    He handed back the diamond-encrusted band with a knowing wink. “Fortunately, I’m the kind of thief who’s willing to let you in on a few trade secrets. Next time, you might not be so lucky.”
    The captain grimaced at him. “Next time, I’ll cut your throat with my blade.”
    “Look, there’s no need—”
    “You just stole my bracelet, you little scumba—”
    “I gave it back!”
    “Yeah, because I saw you slip it off when you shook my hand.”
    “Ah, yeah, but you didn’t feel it coming off, did you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Liar.”
    The captain drew his blade, causing Jimmy to take several steps back.
    “I’d rejoin your friends, if I were you,” the captain muttered.
    Jimmy rolled his eyes.
    “I dunno,” he muttered, mooching up to Obegarde and slumping down onto the barrel beside him. “You try to help people out, and all you get is a sword-edge at your throat and a mouthful of abuse.”
    “Quiet!” Effigy snapped. “Just be quiet, will you?”
    Jimmy glanced at Obegarde, and sniffed. “What’s wrong with him? ”
    “The ravensage just arrived back,” said Vanya, who was still taking it upon herself to make the group feel welcome aboard her father’s ship. “I think your friend has replied.”
    “What, already? Wow! What did he say?”
    Obegarde, who was looking over Effigy’s shoulder at a piece of paper, heaved a long sigh. “Pretty much nothing,” he confirmed. “All it says is: Meet you in Spittle. ”
    “Disappointing.” Effigy conceded. “I thought at the very least he might give us some idea of what he thinks we should do.”
    “Maybe he will, when he sees