A Path of Oak and Ash Read Online Free PDF

Atlantis?”
    “I do not mean a cruise ship if that is your question.”
    With nothing to say to that, the boy simply nodded.  His focus set on the meal in front of him.   He couldn’t remember the last time he had eaten so well.  His mother had done her best but in the last few years the grocery budget was tight, breakfast was typically limited to cereal and milk.  Except for Sundays, that last lazy morning before the week began she would make a pound of bacon, whip up some buttermilk pancakes and a cheddar cheese filled omelet.  Even compared to that perfect morning, the amount of food he had just consumed made it look like a famine rather than a weekend feast.
    “Would you like me to order more?”  Erik asked quietly, stacking up some of the empty plates on the serving tray.
    Yes.  “No, I’m full.”
    Erik stood, smoothing out his white button down shirt.  In a fluid motion he sauntered over to the antique telephone on the nightstand.  A few button presses and a kind word later, it seemed he had ordered everything available off the a la carte menu. 
    Carrick folded and refolded the napkin in his lap, he felt ashamed to be so hungry and yet grateful Erik had been so gracious about it.  Arcedes let out a soft trill from the radiator, with her head cocked to the side she appeared almost sympathetic.  Which was utterly absurd.
    “How are we going to get through the airport?  Paper says I'm a wanted man.”  Carrick rubbed at his eyes, playing his tears off as the last throngs of sleep.
    “Richard Smith is indeed a wanted man.  However, this world knows nothing of Carrick Slaine.”
    “Okay, that’s also supposedly me, so not sure how that’s helpful.”  Carrick rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to his plate.  Swirling the last bites of pancake around in the syrup making patterns on the ivory fine china.
    There was a rustle of material, a new scent in the air.  The lad lifted his eyes, jaw dropping in shock.  Erik Slaine was no longer clean shaven in a suit, he appeared as he had outside the gas station; Hair unshaven for months, clothing stained, nose red and swollen from years of alcohol, his entire body emanating a horrible stench.
    “What the?”  Arcedes ruffled her feathers, hopping from the radiator to the bed.
    “Perception is everything.”  Erik spoke in a voice that quivered and rattled.
    In an instant, a mere blink of the eye, he was as he had been.  Clean. Dignified. Smelling of cool water cologne rather than refuse.
    “In order for us to get through this, you are going to have to learn one of the most basic abilities we have.  The ability to blend, to shift into the common.”
    “I don’t know how that’s possible.”
    “Only because you are narrow minded.”
    “An illusion in the world of men is a very easy thing to maintain.  People here are so absorbed in their own circle of reality they do not pay attention to the details of those outside of their perceived importance.  A stranger in a crowd will get an initial glance, an evaluation for social and economic status, but never more.  There is no detailed analysis.  Their minds merely accept what is seen at face value.  The trick is, to select a form which would be acceptable for your surroundings.  The polar bear would look quite out of place on a southern beach, likewise you cannot dawn a suit coat and tie in a poor neighborhood.  Take me for example.”  Erik put his sport coat back on.  “We tarry within a luxury inn, therefore I am dressed for the occasion.  This ensemble will translate into travel as well.”
    Carrick frowned, “So what you’re saying is I need a suit.”
    “A suit coat and an increase of your visual age.”
    “Great. Fantastic.”  Carrick clapped his hands together, the sarcasm thick in his voice. “So how do I do that then?  Wave a magic wand?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous.”  The boy had to roll his eyes, yes out of all this, that was the part that was