Cold Magics Read Online Free PDF Page A

law?”
    “Yes.”
    “You’re insane,” said Henry. “Now, come on. I’m hungry and the Quill awaits.”
    Henry led them out of the apartment and through streets at a brink pace, seemingly oblivious to the cold, wet air. His slight limp was new, hardly noticeable as he walked. Thomas and Eileen kept pace beside him.
    “What happened to your leg?” asked Thomas.
    “Arrow,” said Henry. “Night raid on a village. We saw the flames and rode out, straight into an ambush. Pity you weren’t there.”
    Henry led them on a route that Thomas could have followed blindfolded, to the Broken Quill—a large, noisy tavern near the edge of the student quarter. Even at this early hour it was full of students. Some were still in their robes from class, others were in their evening best, most were somewhere in between. Rapiers were everywhere, though all were sheathed. Girls were plentiful, too—mostly shop-girls, Thomas judged from their clothes, though a few were much better dressed.
    The place was noisy, cheerful, and rather well-mannered. Arguments were plentiful, but none escalated beyond words. It may have been the presence of two very large, identical men who sat on a pair of chairs just inside the door, one looking in and the other looking out. They had equally scarred and broken faces, and matching thick, long clubs. Each would have easily dwarfed George. They nodded pleasantly at Thomas and Henry.
    “Good evening, Master Thomas,” said the one looking out.
    “Good evening, Marcus.”
    “Fenris,” corrected the large man, without changing expression.
    “My apologies,” said Thomas, with a short bow.
    The big man nodded. “And Lord Henry. We had not expected to see you here, this term.”
    “Nor I,” said Henry. “How are things?”
    “Calm,” said Fenris. “I hope you will help keep them that way.”
    “Of course,” said Thomas. “May we introduce my cousin Alex?”
    Fenris looked her up and down, and one eyebrow rose. “Marcus?”
    The other man turned around. “Yes?”
    “This is…” the pause was barely noticeable, “Alex.”
    Marcus looked Eileen up and down exactly the way Fenris had. His expression didn’t change either. “Of course it is.”
    “I trust that that Alex,” said Fenris, lightly emphasizing the name, “will not be the cause of any trouble in our establishment?”
    “No,” promised Thomas. “He will not.”
    “Good.” Fenris gestured with one hand. “Enter.”
    “Don’t bother with a table,” said Henry, heading for the bar. “I’ll get us a private room.”
    “What was that at the door?” asked Eileen, raising her voice to be heard above the din. “It felt like they were looking right through me.”
    “They were,” said Thomas.
    “Do you think that they know…?”
    “Yes,” said Thomas. “I doubt it’s the first time. Fortunately, they’re the souls of discretion. As long as you don’t cause trouble, they won’t say a thing.”
    Henry spoke to the bartender, and then led Thomas and Eileen through the crowded room and up the stairs to the balcony that ran the length of the building. A half-dozen doors opened to private rooms. Henry picked one and led them in. He shut the door behind them, and the sudden reduction in noise level was at once jarring and a relief. The room was large enough for a dozen, with a round table surrounded by comfortable-looking leather lined chairs and an empty fireplace on the outer wall. Henry threw himself down in a chair near the fire.
    “Sit,” he said. “Food and drink are coming.”
    They sat, and before Thomas could ask more questions there was a knock on the door. Three women came in, bringing two pitchers of beer and three mugs; a large tray of cheese and bread; and a load of wood for the fire. Thomas took a beer, drank, and munched on the bread and cheese until the women were out of the room. The moment the door closed, he asked, “Are you sure the enemy is using magic against you?”
    “Very,” said Henry around