A Covenant of Justice Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Gentlemen, may I introduce to you two of the very best trackers in the Regency, Sawyer and Finn Markham. They have provided many useful services and this dinner in their honor allows me to reward them in an appropriate manner.”
    While her guests applauded, she nodded to a pair of medical aides who had discreetly entered from the side. Immediately, they stepped to Finn’s side and while Sawyer watched in horror, one of them held Finn’s arm and the other wrapped a medical band around it and connected an intravenous tap.
    â€œYou must promise me that you will eat well,” the Lady said to him. “I would hate to have a stain on my hospitality. And besides, if you don’t eat well, neither can I.”
    Already the servants had begun filling the wine glasses and placing delicately arranged trays of appetizers in front of each the assembled guests. Neither Sawyer nor Finn recognized any of the meats, and neither felt immediately inclined to ask for annotation. While the other guests helped themselves, both of the men kept their hands politely in their laps.
    The Lady Zillabar tsk ed in annoyance and nodded to the aides who waited discreetly behind the two brothers. Without further ado, the attendants spread cloth napkins on both of the brothers’ laps; and then, using a silver serving utensil, placed an assortment of savories on the golden plates in front of each of them. Still, neither Sawyer nor Finn moved.
    The Lady’s most personal attendants now began to tend to her needs. One held a delicate goblet to her lips, allowing her to take just the faintest sip of the bright pink wine it held. The other placed a tiny sliver of blackened meat in the Lady’s mouth. The Lady chewed delicately and swallowed. She glanced to the servant and he placed another tiny sliver of meat on her tongue.
    Sawyer and Finn exchanged a glance. Finn looked tired and haggard, but he held himself upright, refusing to let his weakness show in front of the Lady. Sawyer merely looked horrified. Whatever the Lady intended at this banquet, she could not possibly plan to let either of them survive. Not for long.
    The Lady noticed Sawyer’s expression then. She cocked her head curiously. “I fear that you have lost your appetite, Mr. Markham. Perhaps the chef has failed to prepare the food to your liking?”
    â€œUh—no, no. I don’t doubt that your chefs have done their very best, Madame.” He pushed his plate away distastefully. “I just find it difficult to eat meat of such an uncertain ancestry. I can’t help but wonder which of your former guests provided these particular savories.”
    The Lady’s smile barely flickered. “You have such a remarkable way of looking at things. I confess that my palate has become so used to the elegance of my table that I often forget how others might perceive the fare served here. No matter,” she said. “As long as your brother eats.” She shifted her gaze to Finn and her eyes grew hard and cold. “ You will eat ,” she commanded him. She nodded to the servant behind Finn, who picked up a fork, speared a fragment of something dripping in red sauce and held it up in front of Finn’s mouth.
    For a moment, Finn thought to resist, but the attendant held something to the back of his neck and he gasped in surprise. The fork popped into Finn’s mouth and out again just as quickly. The attendant had obviously done this before. The next time the pale boy held the fork before Finn’s mouth, he did not hesitate. He took the food quickly. Finally, reluctantly, Finn took the fork from the servant and began slowly feeding himself.
    â€œGood,” said the Lady. “Very good.” The other guests at the table had watched this entire proceeding with elaborate interest. Now, they too resumed their meal.
    At the end of the table, the Dragon Lord enthusiastically plucked maissel-fish 3 out of an especially reinforced