Read Online The Rogue Knight by Brandon Mull - Free Book Online

you’re carrying,” the man said. “In a way, you were telling me the truth. You’re broke until you make your delivery.”
    â€œPretty much,” Cole said.
    â€œI don’t suppose you’ll come back this way after you get paid,” the man mused.
    â€œI can’t afford to risk my money,” Cole said.
    â€œHow about a freebie?” the man suggested. “It’s been slow today.”
    Cole glanced down the street in the direction he had been headed. He didn’t want to get roped into some sort of con.
    â€œNo strings attached,” the man assured him. “Pick a cup.”
    â€œOkay.” Lifting the middle one, Cole uncovered a translucent blue marble. “Now what?”
    â€œReplace it.”
    Cole covered the marble.
    The man smiled. “I haven’t touched anything yet. Only you did. Agreed?”
    Cole gave a nod.
    â€œYou watching?” the man asked. Sliding the cups with no great haste, he switched the middle cup with the left one. “All right. Guess where the ball is.”
    Cole pointed at the left cup, which had been in the middle.
    â€œWant to bet that money you’re carrying?” the man asked. “If you’re right, I’ll double it. You can deliver their share and keep yours.”
    â€œNo thanks,” Cole said.
    â€œYou sure? I’m good for it. Final offer.”
    â€œIt’s not mine to bet,” Cole said.
    â€œFair enough,” the man said. He lifted the cup on the right. There was nothing beneath it. The cup in the middle had nothing as well. “Try the one you chose.”
    Picking it up, Cole revealed a small bird with brown feathers and a yellow breast. The little bird hopped twice and then flew away, tiny wings flapping.
    â€œI had a feeling I would have lost,” Cole said.
    Grinning, the man quickly turned over the cup on the right and handed it to Cole. The cup was full of blue marbles. “Trust those feelings, kid. When something looks too good to be true, it is. All the locals know better than to get involved in a shell game. I set up near Gateway Square to welcome the visitors, teach them a practical lesson or two. I haven’t seen you around. New to town?”
    â€œPretty new,” Cole replied.
    â€œTell me about these guys you’re working for,” the man said. “Could they use a fellow like me?”
    â€œI don’t really know a lot about them,” Cole said. “They’re kind of mysterious.”
    The man sighed. “Life in East Carthage.”
    â€œHey, maybe you can help me,” Cole tried. “I’m looking for a fountain with seven spouts.”
    â€œWhat’s it worth to you?”
    â€œIt would save me some time. It’s part of the delivery process. I haven’t gone around counting the fountain spouts.”
    â€œYou think I do?”
    â€œMaybe. You’re good with details. I could mention your help to the guys I work for.”
    The man gave him a pensive stare. “You seem like a good kid. You’re trying to make some extra ringers. I can appreciate that. You want Lorona Fountain. It’s a long walk, but not complicated.” He gave Cole an explanation that involved four turns. “Got it?”
    Cole repeated the directions back to him.
    â€œGood,” the man said. “If you come to know and trust these people, tell them I helped you. Until then, be careful. Taking ringers from one location to another may seem like easy money. But when something looks too good to be true . . .”
    â€œI hear you,” Cole said, feeling a little guilty about misleading him. For a shyster, the guy seemed like a decent person. “Thanks for the advice. And the directions.”
    â€œAround your chest might be better,” the man said. “For the ringers. You can hide any bulges under enough layers to mask them.”
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind,” Cole said, starting down the