Outcasts of Velrune Read Online Free PDF Page A

towards Mr. Penna’s house, Tyco shot Eve a crooked smile, the sight of which made her feel sick to her stomach. She followed after them, hoping to come up with another idea to stop Max from going. When they reached the house, they found Mr. Penna in his study.
    “Nose buried in a book as usual, I see.”
    Mr. Penna eyed Tyco over the top of his book. “Good evening, Tyco.” Mr. Penna smiled at Eve. “A very good evening to you, Miss Evangeline.”
    Eve shifted her weight from one foot to the other, still trying to think of what she could do. “Good evening, Mr. Penna.”
    Mr. Penna noted Eve’s discomfort, marked his place in the book, and set it down. “So what brings you three here?”
    “I need to go to Protector Headquarters to oversee their training. Max would like to go with me. I would like that as well. It would allow me to show the results of certain training techniques first hand.”
    Mr. Penna scratched at his short beard. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. It would take a few weeks, at least. I do not think Maxwell is ready, not to mention delaying his studies for that long of a time.”
    “I can assure you, Mr. Penna, that the road along the river is quite safe. Besides, Max has come a long way in his training, which is the very reason I would like to take him. He’s not to be easily trifled with. As for his studies,” a wry smile formed on Tyco’s face, “as you well know, he’s not going to find a better library than the one in the capital. Maybe there’s something we could pick up for you?”
    “Training and a real fight are two different animals.” Eve started to relax. “On the other hand, the library at Moenia has a lot of literature I would like to have here in the village, and I suppose the boy does need to at least see the city.”
    Eve’s heart raced. She hadn’t thought he would even consider letting Max go. If I tell Mr. Penna of the messenger’s conversation with Tyco, surely Mr. Penna will stop Max. Eve twisted her tail in her hands, ignoring the pain. But I can’t let Tyco know I heard the conversation. Maybe…
    “Tyco, did the stranger who delivered the message say how long you would be gone? He rode off into the dead lands before we could reach you.”
    Eve saw Tyco’s eye twitch and knew she had thrown him off.
    “No, Evangeline, he did not, but I don’t think we would be long.”
    Mr. Penna studied Eve carefully. With his attention on her, she stared right at Mr. Penna and took a risk. “You said you told the Protectors about Max’s training already didn‘t you? Wouldn’t the messenger have asked for Max specifically if they wanted to see him?”
    Mr. Penna stroked his beard. “Hmm, so you told them about Max. Well, I suppose they will be eager to see him. Perhaps he should indeed go.”
    Eve barely kept herself from falling over. How did he miss my hint ?
    Mr. Penna smiled. “He may go, and so will I.”
    Eve sighed knowing he had caught her hint after all.
    She smirked at the lost expression forming on Tyco’s face due to this unforeseen complication. He tried his best to recover.
    “Mr. Penna, that’s not really necessary.”
    “Nonsense, Tyco, someone needs to keep the boy focused.”
    “But, Mr. Penna, we will be riding pretty hard for most of the trip.”
    “Oh, I’ll keep up fine.”
    Eve tried not to laugh when Tyco, sighing, resigned to Mr. Penna’s decision. “Okay then, I’ll see you at the stables at first light. Good evening to you, Mr. Penna, Max.”
    Eve watched in satisfaction as Tyco left. She would have liked it better for Max not to go at all, but with Mr. Penna along, not much could happen. She looked back at Mr. Penna and found him studying her once again.
    “Evangeline, my dear, I assume you will be joining us.”
    Eve froze. Max turned to her. “Of course you are, right?”
    Eve looked back and forth between the two, her ears quivering. I can’t go back to Moenia, not with Max. Besides, he’ll be safe with Mr. Penna.