Read Online Wren Journeymage by Sherwood Smith - Free Book Online Page B

Duke since the death of his father at the end of the war. He stood up, his long gold embroidered velvet court tunic glowing richly in the fading light from the window. He was taller than Tyron, thin but strong, his narrow features tight not with anger but some more complex expression.
    “I know it’s an interruption,” he said without any polite preamble. “But I’ve got to talk to one of you. Halfrid is away, so you’re it.”
    Once they’d been enemies, during childhood when they’d had the luxury of disliking people on their own side. Garian had been changed by his experiences in the war; Teressa relied on him now, having made him head of the Scarlet Guard in his father’s place. Not just because of his rank, but because he’d earned it.
    “Teressa,” Garian said, “has seen fit to propose a midnight picnic on the lake, next Two Moons Night.”
    “What?”
    “Boats. Music across the water. Mage fireworks—I’m sure you’ll hear about that part soon enough.”
    “And?” Tyron said.
    “And Hawk Rhiscarlan is her partner in her boat. Alone. Just the two of them. He tricked her into it. Wager. Said she was afraid. She rose to the bait like a flying fish.”
    Tyron sank down into the wooden chair with a sigh that was more like a groan.
    “That’s about how I feel.” Garian gave him a bleak smile. “She won’t listen to me, so I thought I’d better come to you.”
    Tyron grimaced.
    Garian’s thin cheeks reddened. “Look,” Garian protested. “I know we’ve had our differences in the past—”
    Tyron raised a hand. “Save it, Garian.” He spoke without thinking, and Garian, to his credit, did not bridle or even frown at the lack of courtesy title, as once he would have done. Tyron said, “Never mind the past. Here’s the truth—she won’t talk to me either. Not about him.”
    “Do you trust him?”
    Tyron pointed at the window, streaming with rain. “Not as far as I can spit into that wind,” he said, using one of Wren’s old orphanage phrases. How he wished she were here now!
    Garian crossed his arms. “Then we’ll have to prepare for trouble, is all.” He snorted. “Yes, you’re probably thinking of my disasters in the past, but I’ve learned a few things since then. And Hawk might not be aware of it. At least we’ve got plenty of time to get ready. I’ll place some of the best scouts in the Scarlet Guard around the lake, and have them patrol it beforehand so they really know the terrain. That night I’ll have a host in place. Horses, boats, swords, everything, so if he’s of a mind to make off with her he won’t get far.”
    Tyron said, “But he’s also a mage.”
    “That’s your end,” Garian said, rising.
    “True. We’ll use our free time between now and Two Moons Night to ward the lake, and maybe plant a few little surprises of our own.” Our free time . What free time ? “Thanks for the warning, your grace.” This time he remembered the title.
    Garian raised a hand in the duelist’s acknowledgement of a hit. Tyron moved away from the door, and Garian laid his hand on the latch, then he paused and said over his shoulder, “If there’s anything you think I should know, send a runner, either to my rooms in the palace or at the Scarlet Guard barracks. I promise they’ll have immediate access.”
    Tyron nodded. “Same with us here. I’ll be sure to tell Halfrid on his return.”
    Garian left, his long cloak billowing behind him.

Eight
    So I’m on my own, then, Wren thought as she looked down at the strewn contents of her knapsack.
    At least her magic book hadn’t been stolen. Master Falstan had told the students her first year that traveling mages always disguised their magic books, and the most successful disguises were carefully constructed illusions of really boring subjects.
    Was Connor’s note still in it? Her heart thumped as she opened the book, and there was the note. Then she sat back on her heels in relief.
    She still felt a little silly bringing