Into a Dark Realm Read Online Free PDF Page A

students, Owyn Belfote, and Prince Arutha’s man James who ended that particular threat to the region.”
    Pug tapped his chin with his forefinger and considered for a moment. “They must have decided enough time has passed for them to utilize the place again, and it’s a smart choice: no one goes there, even the villagers, because of superstition, and it’s an inconvenient place to visit by any measure. As long as people think it’s deserted, why bother?”
    Caleb said, “Shall we go to Lyton?”
    “No,” said Pug. “I’m going to give this to Nakor. He’s close to Duke Eric and the Kingdom should handle this final confrontation.” He looked at Magnus. “I’m sending you along with Nakor, though, just to make sure Eric has enough protection against any magic the Nighthawks might still muster, and you know I’m only moments away if you have need of me. I’ll ask your mother to visit the Assembly and see what progress is being made with the Talnoy.”
    Magnus nodded, smiling wryly. “We know how much the Great Ones of the Empire enjoy that.”
    Pug smiled, the first time he hadn’t looked grim in days. There was some amusement in his tone as he said, “They still have trouble with women magicians in general, but your mother…I’ll tell her to mind her manners.”
    Magnus’s smile broadened. “And Mother began doing what you tell her to…when?” Pug’s wince showed that his son’s barb had hit home. “Shall I tell Nakor to make ready?”
    “Nakor is always ready to travel; it’s a legacy of his gambling days. Meet me upstairs in a few minutes. I want a word with Caleb and the lads.”
    Magnus departed and Pug turned to the boys. “That was bloody work,” he said.
    Jommy glanced at Tad and Zane. “It was, but he deserved it.”
    Pug put his hand on Jommy’s shoulder. While not properly an adopted grandson like Tad and Zane, Pug had grown fond of the brash redhead and treated him as he did the others. “No man deserves such treatment, Jommy.” He glanced at Zane then Tad then returned his gaze to Jommy. “Some men deserve death for what they’ve done, but causing suffering, that harms you rather than the man you make suffer.” He looked from face to face. “What makes us better than those we oppose is that we know when we are doing evil. And it should sicken us. Even if we justify it by saying we serve a larger good, or that it’s necessary.” Glancing at the door where the torturer was getting Ketlami’s body ready for disposal, he added, “It’s the price we pay, and while it’s necessary, it does diminish us.” He looked at each boy in turn. “Your only solace is knowing that if you were not part of this, those you love would be at that much more risk.”
    He turned to Caleb. “I’m thinking you and Marie have not had much time alone since you’ve been wed.”
    Caleb smiled ruefully. “A fact she has reminded me of from time to time, although she hardly complains, Father.”
    “Things are under control for a while. I’ve got Kaspar down in Novindus with Rosenvar and Jacob, and Nakor and Magnus are going to the Kingdom to deal with the Nighthawks. Right now, we don’t need you.”
    Caleb fixed his father with a questioning expression and said, “And…?”
    “Why don’t you return home and have your mother give you theorb we use when we travel to our own little retreat? It’s not much—an island in the Sunsets—but there’s a small hut, well provisioned, and you can be alone for a few days.”
    “Sounds lovely. What about these three?”
    Pug smiled. “Send them along to Talwin. They can guest at the River House, earn their keep for a week or two, and improve their swordsmanship.”
    Zane grinned. “The River House!”
    Jommy patted his friend hard on the stomach. “I thought you were going to lose that?” The River House was the finest restaurant and inn in Opardum, and arguably the finest dining establishment in the world. Zane had developed an appetite for