Rise of the Serpent (Serpent's War Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

people, but they were simple and didn’t need me complicating their lives.”
    “So you ran away.”
    He shrugged. “I chose to live a different life. I sent them money when I could to pay back for all the hardships I may have caused.”
    “For simple people, as you claim they are, family is worth the hardship.”
    Namitus sighed. “This is why my past stays in my past. I wish them no ill will, but I also have nothing in common with them. I never did.”
    “Because you’re part elf?”
    Namitus shrugged. “Because I’m me. I never gave thought or care to what blood runs in my veins. It’s my blood—that’s what matters. And I’m loathe to part with it.”
    The witch chuckled. “Yet you run the risk of doing so whenever you can. You are a most peculiar young man, Namitus.”
    He grinned. “Part of my charm. I like to think I’m quick on my feet.”
    “So you must be, to live as you do,” she agreed. “Very well, my curiosity is sated. Now I will tell you of a person you should speak with. Lariki commands a company of mercenaries in the south. Lariki leads a company known as the Vultures.”
    “That sounds…gruesome.”
    “Part of their charm,” she said, twisting his words against him.
    Namitus smirked and opened his mouth when a chime sounded through the house. He spun about, looking for the source of the musical note but couldn’t locate it anywhere.
    Arcturia tilted her head and then shook it. “My, my, what an unusual day. Three visitors so far. I fear I may not get any of my research done.”
    “What? Where did that come from?” Namitus asked.
    “Magic, my friend,” she told him as she swept past him towards the door. “Magic.”
    The door opened before Arcturia reached it, leaving a young woman and an older man standing and staring in with open mouths. Arcturia smiled and turned to Namitus. “You have visitors.”
    “Amra? Lyden?” Namitus stammered. “What—”
    “You said you were coming here,” Amra blurted out.
    “Sir Namitus,” Lyden said with a pained stiffness in his voice. “I was hoping to talk to you about your earlier offer.”
    “Sir Namitus?” Arcturia turned to face him. “Oh, of course. You’re one of Alto’s trusted circle. Of course he’d grant you title in his kingdom. Which is it, then?”
    Namitus sighed. “Knight of the Court,” he said. “Sooner or later we’ll get around to worrying about the land and setting up fiefs, but until then, this is enough.”
    “Quite the honor, to be in the presence of nobility.”
    Namitus snorted.
    “Now then, since they’re here for you and our business is done, run along if you please. I have potions to brew.”
    Namitus nodded and stood still for a moment, uncertain of what to do. He started to turn and then stopped and thought better of it. He reached down and pulled a small pouch from his belt and handed it to the witch. “Would you see to it that my mother’s family gets this?”
    “Not your family?”
    “My family is in the north,” Namitus said. He smiled at Amra and Lyden and turned to step outside with them. The heat washed over him as soon as he crossed the threshold of the door, causing him to grunt under his breath.
    “Farewell, Sir Namitus,” Arcturia said with a twinkle in her eye. “Good luck in your travels. Oh, and might I suggest the Spotted Lizard for your conversation?”
    Namitus looked at the tailor and his daughter before turning back to see Arcturia’s door shut. He frowned and turned back to them. “Well, if you’re reconsidering, let’s go reconsider it over an ale.”
    Lyden hesitated and then nodded. Amra offered a nervous smile. Namitus shrugged and turned away. He knew where the Spotted Lizard was; he’d stalked the place in the past, searching for his mother in case she wandered by. Now even that was in his past. He was responsible, in part, for the affairs of a kingdom.
    Yes, an ale sounded like a great way to proceed.
     
    * * * *
     
    Namitus surveyed the common room of