The Dark Half of the Sun (The Young Ancients: Timon) Read Online Free PDF Page B

constant thefts for the last year, increasing as soon as the children came to the Station. It wasn't much at first and Tor had left orders to turn a blind eye to such things, unless it was really obvious who was doing it, but now I think that someone is truly abusing good will. This is into enough golds that sooner or later one of the framed children is going to be put in prison for it. The way it's being handled is... strange. None of the kids are facing charges, they're all just asked to leave. Why they don't insist on a trial I don't know, if they're innocent, which is part of why I didn't mention it until now. I thought it would be better for them to get away than go to prison."
    It was a frank admission, but one that got a soft snort from Alyssa.
    "Why wouldn't they call for a trial? They're orphans Miss Debri. To their way of thinking they are guilty, even if they haven't stolen anything. They don't expect a real hearing or even anyone treating them kindly. Calling for a trial is the same as pulling a noose over their own heads to most of these kids. Of course they'd just leave instead. That gives them a chance to survive, no matter how slim." She'd moved closer to the speaking device, her voice firm enough that Collette reached out to touch her arm, holding her back a little. She turned red then, but it was a pleasant, embarrassed red, not rage.
    "Forgive me, Your Highness, I didn't mean-"
    "Don't worry Alyssa. Passion when defending children is never misplaced. Builder Timon Baker, do you agree with Sara Debri?" That the man had figured out that he'd be the other person with an account meant that he knew something about who was coming and going over his city and from what direction.
    That or Timon was being tracked. That probably wasn't the case, since he was moving from place to place too quickly and there weren't that many communication devices in the Kingdom. No, the simple explanation was that he knew where everyone else had been, meaning there was only one person in the room that could have a firsthand report. That wouldn't explain second hand ones, which could have been what had happened here. Someone else could have gotten a report too.
    The King definitely had spies here then. Sara was even probably one of them.
    "I don't have as much information, but that seems to fit what I found earlier. I know that Major Godfrey, the man in charge there, is very frightened that he's going to be blamed for the lapse. I got a Truth amulet from Ali, but we could use someone that really knows how to investigate, I think. There are an awful lot of people to just go around questioning everyone at random." It could work, eventually, but it would take forever that way and he didn't have that much time personally.
    There was less than a week until he had to have some real gold in hand if he wanted to go to school at all. This distraction was a good thing to do, if they could save some kids and Major Godfrey, but as far as he could tell it wasn't going to pay anything. Even if it did, it wouldn't be enough, so hurrying things along might be a good plan.
    The King sounded slightly odd when he spoke. Not worried overly, but a little stressed, as if he didn't want to bother with the problem either. Timon could agree with that, but it didn't matter. It was already too late now.
    "Fine, I'll send Smythe and Builder Sam to look into this. Builder Baker, would you be free to accompany them? I've heard you have use of several of your brother's Fast Carriages? That could expedite things greatly."
    Timon moved to the device and bent over it, knowing full well that the man knew he had the craft. He was trying to politely suggest that Timon use one.
    "Not a difficulty Sire. I'll even do this one for free, since you've agreed to send some of your Ambassadors using my new service. Three hundred and fifty gold per round trip, as long as it takes fewer than five craft." Not that he had enough pilots for them all. He really needed to get to work on