Saving Thanehaven Read Online Free PDF Page B

library.”
    “And you dump all your junk in here?” says Rufus.
    The princess, who’s ahead of him, stops short. Her head whips around. “This is my
hobby room
. Where I keep my
equipment
,” she snaps.
    “Oh.”
    “I like to fill the hours productively.” She glares at Noble. “Life in a cage can be unbearably dull.”
    “Of course,” Noble agrees. He can think of nothing else to say.
    “I spend all my time in a windowless trap. I never see the stars. I never breathe fresh air.” She searches his face with blazing eyes, her small fists clenched, her breast heaving. “This fortress is my spirit’s grave. I feel like a hooded falcon, blind and tethered, when all I want to do is spread my wings!”
    Noble is so overwhelmed by this flood of words that he can’t speak. It’s Rufus who takes over.
    “You will,” he assures the princess. “You’ll spread your wings and fly. I guarantee it.” For once, he sounds quite serious.
    But the princess shakes her glossy head.
    “How can I believe that?” she retorts, gesturing at Noble. “How can I believe a man who has blood on his hands and iron in his heart?”
    “Because he’s just as trapped as you are. Noble isn’t to blame for keeping you here,” he says. “This isn’t his fault. It’s the system.”
    “Then the system must change!” Lorellina cries, trying to inject some thunder into her breathy little voice. And Rufus nods.
    “I know. You’re right. That’s why I’ve come,” he says briskly. “So let’s get this show on the road, eh? Because there’s an awful lot to do, and we probably don’t have much time.…”

CHAPTER FOUR
    T he guards form a tight ring around Noble as they escort him to the library. Passing through a corridor, just behind Rufus and
his
escort, Noble feels as if he’s inside the rib cage of a giant snake. There are no windows or torches. The only light comes from two iron lanterns held aloft by the guards.
    At the end of the passage is an ivory door carved with ominous figures: disembodied eyeballs, intertwined serpents, rows of skulls. Lorellina gives it a push. She’s at the head of the procession, which she leads into a long, low room with book-lined walls and a smoke-blackened ceiling. Firelight flickers on oddly-shaped jars. A high desk is laden with stacked books and parchment scrolls and a mummified bird’s claw holding a candle. There’s a sextant, a star chart, and a terrestrial globe. Quill pens and ink pots are strewn everywhere.
    “Harry?” The princess halts and looks around. “My lord? Where are you?”
    Noble steps into the room just as a murky shape separates itself from the denser shadows in one corner. Lord Harrowmage is tall and hunched, wearing a black robe that sweeps dust off the floor as he moves. His dark hair is flecked with silver. His face is long and dark and craggy, with deep-set eyes.
    He looks glum.
    “I am here, as always,” he replies gently but dolefully. Then he spots the newcomers. “Ah,” he says.
    “This is he,” Lorellina announces with a flourish. “This is Noble the Slayer, come to parley. With good intent, or so he claims.”
    Lord Harrowmage turns to Noble and bows.
    Noble bows back.
    “In the spirit of peace, I welcome you,” Lord Harrowmage intones. “Truth to tell, I never thought this day would come.”
    “Nor I,” Noble answers politely. He’s suspicious of Lord Harrowmage, who has all the trappings of a wizard: the books, the claw, the star chart. In Noble’s opinion, Lord Harrowmage can’t possibly be as meek and mild as he’s trying to appear.
    “You honor us with your trust,” Lord Harrowmage continues with a slightly ponderous, old-fashioned courtesy. “Might we repay it in some fashion? Would you care to eat or drink or wash?”
    “No,” Rufus interrupts. “He wouldn’t. Becausewe don’t have much time.” Ducking around a guard, Rufus suddenly thrusts himself onto center stage. “I’m Rufus,” he informs Lord Harrowmage, “and