Cold Magics Read Online Free PDF Page B

to the point of treason.”
    “What did you say about your brother?” asked Thomas.
    “My middle brother, John, has his eye on Richard’s—my eldest brother’s—titles,” said Henry. “Sir Martin is one of his knights. You’ll need to be careful of him.”
    “Especially now that you’ve humiliated him in front of me,” said Thomas.
    “People are dying while I’m here,” snapped Henry. “It will take two weeks with a favourable wind for us to get north—longer for any troops the king gives us. I don’t have time to be second-guessed by my brother’s spy. Either Martin does as he is told, or he will be left here. With or without his head, as the situation dictates.”
    Eileen made a face. “That’s… awful.”
    There was another knock, and a woman delivered a tray of steaming hot roast beef that Thomas was sure would more than fill the three of them. Henry waited for the door to close behind her before speaking again. “Thomas, I need to stop these raiders, and I need to your help to do it. Will you come?”
    Thomas thought about the classes he was going to miss, about how worried his parents would be, and how cold it was going to be in Frostmire. He sighed. “Of course I will.”
    “Good.” Henry picked up a fork and started serving the roast. “Eat up, and eat well. Provisions may be scarce by the time we get to Frostmire.”
    “What about me?” asked Eileen.
    “What about you?” returned Henry.
    “Can I come?”
    “Oh, no!” said Thomas, before Henry could speak. “Her father will kill me!”
    “I can help,” protested Eileen. She looked at Henry. “I could help.”
    “How?” asked Henry.
    “I helped when we were running from the bishop,” Eileen said.
    “Aye,” said Henry. “You did.”
    “And now I know how to fence, as well.”
    “And?”
    “And, can I come?”
    “No!” protested Thomas. “It’s dangerous.”
    She turned on him. “Fighting the bishop was dangerous, and I did that!”
    “And what do we tell your parents?”
    “They don’t need to know where I’ve gone.”
    “Oh, yes they do!” Thomas thumped the table. “Eileen, your parents have been a second family to me. I’d never have survived the summer without their help. I’m not going to drag their daughter into a war!”
    “You wouldn’t be dragging me!”
    “You are not coming!” snapped Thomas. “They’re probably already looking for you and scared out of their wits! I won’t make it worse for them!”
    “But you’ll make it worse for me?” Eileen demanded.
    “Worse than being gang-raped by a troop of soldiers?” Henry asked, his voice quiet. “And being left to die screaming in a ditch?”
    Eileen faltered. “You don’t know those things will happen.”
    “Those things always happen in war,” said Henry. “And if we lose, they will most likely happen to you.”
    Eileen looked for something else to say, but couldn’t find it. Henry took advantage of the silence. “We can’t leave Eileen here in the city by herself. If her father doesn’t show up in the next three days, we’ll put her on a raft to Elmvale.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “And if he does, I might just recruit him.”
    “Don’t you dare!” said Eileen. “Not unless you’re taking me with you.”
    “Which I am not.”
    “We’ll see,” said Eileen.
    Henry smoothly changed the topic, telling Eileen tales of the Academy, including several about Thomas that he’d hoped Eileen would never hear. They served their purpose, though, making Eileen laugh in spite of herself and lightening the mood all around. Thomas got his revenge with a couple of stories on Henry that nearly made Eileen choke on her beer. When the last of the food and drink was cleared away, Henry purchased a torch to light their way and led them out of the inn and into the cold night once more. Instead of guiding them back to the apartment, though, he led them in the opposite direction.
    “Where to?” asked Thomas. “Another