A Facet for the Gem Read Online Free PDF

neared the sealed stone entrance, a rectangular hatch creaked open at eye level, through which a guard’s inhospitable glare accompanied a protruding arrow. “Any closer and you’ll be a stain on that sagging hide!” the voice reverberated coarsely.
    “I was attacked on the road,” he said. “I’ve come back for shelter.”
    “You’ll find none here,” the watchman scathed. “We’ve just seen what you did to the boy, heard what you made the horses do. You think we’ll permit your corruption inside these walls again? We should’ve shut you out long ago.”
    “I have no intention to stay,” Morlen insisted. “But I need provisions. All that I had was taken. And this horse—I borrowed it, with a promise to bring it back.”
    The guard scoffed. “Then whatever you traded for it was too much. I suggest you turn around, ride that beast as far as it’ll go, and then eat it. The people are stirred up enough as it is— word has only just begun to travel that the shriekers have been defeated. Now that those foul wretches are gone, your face is the last any will want to see.”
    “Defeated?” Morlen whispered, looking back at the surrounding lands, still bathed in a residue of battle. “And the army?” he asked, wondering what kind of force could have possibly exterminated such an enduring threat.
    “Soon to arrive,” the man replied with greater hostility. “And you’d better be gone before they approach! If Prince Felkoth finds the gate closed to his procession of triumph because of you, starvation will be the least of your worries. Now off with you! I’ll give no more warning!”
    A drawn bowstring put more power behind the arrow aimed at Morlen’s throat, and he pulled his horse around. From his waterskin he took a weary swig that did little for an empty stomach. Wiping his mouth, he surveyed the open expanse and doubted he would get far. But, while he made his way out all disgruntled mumblings around him fell quiet, as though every guard now cast their attention on someone else, inside.
    “You will admit him at once!” a familiar voice echoed out from behind the closed barrier.
    Daring to halt and pivot back, Morlen waited for any sign of change, listening for a defiant retort that never came. Silence kept him firmly in position, and he suspected that any sudden movement might trigger a nervous shot from one of the archers, until finally a great winch began to crank on the other side. Korindelf’s gate slowly swiveled open into the city, revealing a host of guards who spitefully lowered their weapons. They parted along either side of the central road in which a single man stood, hooded in silver-blue robes, old and of tall stature, with a thick pale beard projecting far past his chin.
    “Nottleforf.” Morlen breathed a sigh of relief, trotting closer to the threshold though stopping short at the disdain from each sentry before him.
    “You may enter now, young Morlen,” said Nottleforf, his tone prohibiting any action to the contrary.
    No longer hesitating, Morlen quickly rode past them, cantering a safe enough distance to ensure no further interference, and was smothered by the bitter attention of many onlookers. Soon he dismounted and strode between Nottleforf and the horse in a way that shielded him against the dozens who would not let him pass so easily.
    “You don’t belong here!” scolded several beside the road, pushing closer through the crowd.
    “Now he turns our animals against our children!” screamed another. “He brings danger wherever he goes!”
    Morlen kept his head low while maintaining a brisk pace, dodging debris and brown clumps of lettuce flung in his direction, though Nottleforf seemed unfazed, refusing to bend.
    “Well, Morlen, only sixteen years old and you’re the talk of the city. In case you’ve not yet ascertained as much, the people of Korindelf are not exactly comfortable having you here among them anymore. Since your most recent altercation, there is a