Alcatraz versus the Scrivener's Bones Read Online Free PDF Page A

about Crystallia in the first place. I’d barely even gotten used to being called “Lord Smedry.” I had come to understand that Smedries are held in great respect by most Free Kingdomers, and figured that my title was something of a term of affection for them.
    There was, of course, a lot more to it than that. But, there always is, isn’t there?
    I glanced back at Bastille, where she stood at the back of the cockpit, face red. I need to talk to my grandfather, I decided. He can help sort this out.
    I sat down in the chair beside Australia. “All right, where’s my grandfather?”
    Australia glanced at me, then blushed. “We’re not exactly sure. We got a note from him this morning – delivered via Transcriber’s Lenses . It told us what to do. I can show you the note, if you want.”
    “Please,” I said.
    Australia fished in her tunic for a moment, searching through pockets. Finally, she found a wrinkled-up piece of paper and handed it over to me.
    Australia, it read.
    I don’t know if I’ll be there at the pickup point. Something has come up that requires my attention. Kindly fetch my grandson for me, as planned, and take him to Nalhalla. I will meet up with you when I can.
    Leavenworth Smedry
    Outside, we rose into the clouds. The vehicle really seemed to be picking up speed.
    “So, we’re going to Nalhalla?” I asked, glancing back at Bastille’s mother.
    “As long as that’s what you command,” the woman said. Her tone implied it was really the only choice.
    “I guess it is, then,” I said, feeling a slight disappointment, the reason for which I couldn’t pin down.
    “You should go to your quarters, Lord Smedry,” Draulin said. “You can rest there; it will take several hours to journey across the ocean to Nalhalla.”
    “Very well,” I said, rising.
    “I will lead you,” Draulin said.
    “Nonsense,” I said, glancing at Bastille. “Have the squire do it.”
    “As you command,” the knight said, nodding her head at Bastille. I walked from the cockpit, Bastille trailing behind, then waited until the door slid closed. Though its glass, I could see Draulin turn and stand, still at parade rest, facing out the eyeball of the dragon.
    I turned to Bastille. “What’s that all about?”
    She flushed. “Just what she said, Smedry. Come on. I’ll take you to your room.”
    “Oh, don’t get like that with me,” I said, rushing to catch up. “You lose one sword, and they bust you back to squire? That doesn’t make any sense.”
    Bastille flushed even more deeply. “My mother is a very brave and well-respected Knight of Crystallia. She always does what is best for the order and never acts without careful thought.”
    “That doesn’t answer my question.”
    Bastille glanced down. “Look, I told you when I lost my sword that I would be in trouble. Well, see , I’m in trouble. I’ll deal with it. I don’t need your pity.”
    “It isn’t pity! It’s annoyance.” I eyed her. “What aren’t you telling me, Bastille?”
    Bastille muttered something about Smedries but otherwise gave no response. She stalked through the glass corridors, leading me toward – I assumed – my cabin.
    As I walked, however, I grew more and more displeased with events. Grandpa Smedry must have discovered something, otherwise he wouldn’t have missed the pickup, and I hated feeling like I was being left out of important things. Now, this is a stupid way to feel, if you think about it. I was always being left out of important things. At that very moment, there were thousands of people doing very important things all across the world – everything from getting married to jumping out windows – and I wasn’t a part of any of it. The truth is, even the most important people get left out of most things that happen in the world.
    But I was still annoyed. A s I walked, I realized I still had on my Courier’s Lenses. They were very limited in range, but maybe Grandfather was close by.
    I activated the Lenses.