Shadeborn: A Book of Underrealm Read Online Free PDF Page B

the horses can carry,” said Albern as they sat. “It should see you at least halfway through Dorsea, though you will need to stop for more supplies at some point.”
    “We will stop as rarely as we can afford,” said Xain. “The fewer people who mark our passing, the better.”
    “Once deep into Dorsea, the danger shall lessen,” said Albern. “In the south, their kingdom is preoccupied with the war, and in the north they remain as untroubled as ever at the happenings across the nine lands.”
    “Who is that man there?” Gem asked.
    Something about the boy’s tone raised hairs on Loren’s neck. She looked over her shoulder to see Mag talking to someone new: a thin man with a hooked nose and spindly fingers, whose head darted about as he spoke. Something about him was altogether different from the simple folk she had grown accustomed to in Northwood, and it set her nerves on edge.
    They all continued to watch him until Mag looked up from the conversation and caught Albern’s eye. She nudged her head, and wordlessly he rose to approach her. Loren found her feet and followed, but when Chet, too, started to rise, she waved him back into his seat.
    Mag’s eyes were dark when they reached her. “Tell them, Len.”
    The thin man pinched his nose and sniffed. “There is a man wandering about Northwood, searching for a girl in a black cloak.”
    Loren’s blood went cold. Albern’s mouth set in a grim line. The thin man nodded, pinching his nose and sniffing again.
    “Aye, that is what I thought when I heard,” he said, though Loren was silent. “Black cloak and remarkable green eyes, he asked for. Used that word, remarkable. Calls himself Rogan, which sounds foreign to me. The man is dark as night, like that girl with you, and big. He carried no weapons but felt like one himself, if you follow. When I heard him asking about, I thought to myself that I seen eyes just like that, and a black cloak as well, here in your place, Mag.”
    “Our thanks, Len. Drink up, and tell Sten ’tis on the house.” He sidled off, and Mag fixed them with a hard look. “Is this Rogan a friend?”
    “I know that name not,” said Loren. “Mayhap the man is kin to Annis. Her family has long sought her. We should have already left.”  
    “Stay your concern, at least for now,” Albern said. “We know nothing for certain. Mayhap it is as you fear, but mayhap this Rogan is a friend to Jordel.”
    “He said nothing of a redcloak,” said Loren.
    “Hist!” Albert looked over his shoulder. “Speak not so openly of our fallen friend’s order where others may hear. And if this Rogan is one of them, do you think he would show himself openly?”
    “We should go and see after him and mayhap find our answers,” said Loren.
    “I think the same.”
    “I shall come, too” said Mag. “Len is the good sort, but his nerves can get the better of him. I may recognize the man’s face where Len could not.”
    Loren ran to stow her black cloak upstairs and fetch her dirty brown spare. When she returned, Chet rose again.
    “No, stay. Albern and I must look into something. It will not take long, and too many at once draw attention.”
    “Is it some trouble?” said Xain sharply.
    “Mayhap, or nothing,” said Loren. “Rest assured, we will return in safety. Ready the horses just in case, and get the gear from our room.”
    Loren returned to the bar, where Albern was waiting. Sten was there as well, and through his beard Loren could see a frown.
    “Not long at all, and then we’ll return,” Mag was saying. “Trouble your ugly head not.”  
    Sten said, “When have you ever given me cause for concern? I fear only for anyone who may think to tussle with you.” But the creases in his forehead deepened.
    Mag placed a hand on Sten’s arm, and then stood on tiptoe to plant her lips upon his cheek. “See to the customers. Get those layabout children to help, if you need them.”  
    He let her go with but a long squeeze of her hand to