The City of Ravens Read Online Free PDF

any but the most discerning and educated of connoisseurs to sample that liquor!”
    Jack knew in that very instant that, regardless of the
    consequences to follow, he would have to get his hands on the brandy and drink it with complete and total disregard for its marvelous reputation. The notion struck him as so humorous that he snickered out loud, turning his face into his shoulder to stifle the sound—a moment too late.
    Zandria threw open the shutter with a gesture of her hand, dislodging Jack from his perch on the tower wall. He flailed for balance for one long, comical moment before falling flat on his back in the muddy alleyway behind Ontrodes’s home. Staring up at the gray sky and the gentle raindrops, Jack grimaced in disgust.
    “My new clothes are ruined,” he observed.
    “Count yourself lucky if that’s all I ruin,” Zandria snarled. Jack raised his head from the muck and looked back up at the window. The red-haired mage glared at him, the wand in her hand. “I don’t much care for eavesdroppers, thieves, swindlers, or whatever you are under all that false charm and pretentious manner.”
    Spread-eagled in the mud, Jack adopted the most earnest expression he could find. “I would only insult you if I made any attempt to deny that I was listening to your conversation, my lady. I did eavesdrop, and you have my most humble and sincere apologies.” He smiled in what he hoped was an apologetic manner, and then added, “I only listened in because I so desperately wanted to help you. I allowed my instinct to aid others in need to momentarily overthrow my common sense.”
    The mage blinked in astonishment. “You expect me to believe that?” she said.
    “I never he,” Jack said. He slowly picked himself up off the ground, doing his best to brush the mud from his clothes. It was of little use. “Why don’t you show me the inscription you were speaking of? And that bottle of brandy? Maybe I can piece together your riddle for you. I have a real knack for that sort of thing.”
    “I believe I’ll solve it without your help!” Zandria rapped her wand sharply on the windowsill. “Now get out of here before I turn you into a toad or a newt or something worse!”
    Ontrodes peered over her shoulder at him. “I believe she means it, Jack,” he said. “Shame on you, listening at my window! My learning is my livelihood. When you make use of it without paying, why, you are stealing from me!”
    “I shall begin to investigate this matter on your behalf this very instant” Jack assured Zandria. “How else can I demonstrate my good intentions? I’ll let you know the moment I make any progress.”
    “Get out of my sight this instant!” the mage shrieked.
    Jack gestured and mumbled the magical words. He faded into transparency as the spell of invisibility settled over him. “As you wish, my lady,” he called out. Then he squelched off through the mud, phantom footprints appearing one after another as he strode off boldly. He hummed merrily until he was out of sight. “Two riddles, two ladies, and two mysterious prizes! What next, I wonder?”
    Absolutely confident of immediate success, Jack spent the rest of the day visiting every bookseller he knew of, obliquely inquiring after the Sarkonagael. He was careful to come around to his point slowly and without excessive enthusiasm, but as it turned out, Jack’s precautions were wasted. He didn’t find a single glimmer of recognition among any of the six booksellers he spoke to. Grudgingly he conceded the possibility that the mysterious Elana might have already investigated the obvious possibilities. That was unfortunate, since it meant that Jack might
    have to work and work hard to unearth the book. He considered quitting outright, but then he found himself thinking about her raven-black hair and her perfect face. The prize just might justify real exertion.
    At sundown, Jack turned his steps toward the Cracked Tankard. It was too early for the familiar crowd, but