The Dragons of Winter Read Online Free PDF Page B

tipping his head up at the alcove above. “There are rings for everyone at Tamerlane, and all our apprentices and associates in the world beyond these doors, some of whom alreadyhave theirs. In short, there will be a ring for every agent of the Caretakers, given by my own hand. That’s how we’ll know who is to be trusted, and who isn’t.”
    “It sounds complicated,” Jack murmured. “How do you make sure all our allies are given rings? Can more be made if we need them? And if so, what’s to stop the Cabal from having their own rings made?”
    “Hell’s bells, Jack,” Verne snorted. “To be frank, I really can’t answer most of that. I’m making this up as I go along, and just trying to do the best I can to serve the needs of whatever crisis is before us. Some of my Messengers, like the knight and his squire, have them already. Others are waiting. But in any case, I don’t think it’s wise to have an excess over what we actually need, and the fewer people who have access to Tamerlane House, the better.”
    “So this was your idea, Jules?” John asked.
    “Mine, actually,” a voice purred above John’s right shoulder. He turned his head just in time to see the Cheshire smile appear, followed by the eyes and whiskers of his cat, Grimalkin. “Easier to say who can come and go, if those coming and going have a Binding to protect them.”
    “So will th’ Caretakers still need th’ watches, then?” Fred said glumly, looking down at his own watch. “I haven’t even had mine all that long!”
    “The pocket watches have long been the sole means of identifying fellow Caretakers and our agents, but in truth, they had never been intended as such,” said Chaucer. “It was more in the spirit of camaraderie to approach one of our number and realize, with both joy and no small relief, that he carried a watch. He was of one’s tribe.”
    “The rings just mark someone as an ally,” Charles said to his apprentice, “but the watch still says you’re a Caretaker. And you are, Fred,” he added. “One of us.”
    “As a covert identifying marker, however,” said Verne, “the method was far from infallible and had been subverted more than once.” He gestured at the half-formed cat wrapped around John’s shoulders. “And Grimalkin is correct,” he said. “To accept a ring is to accept the Binding that comes with it. And once accepted, it cannot be taken from you, and can only be given if offered freely, and accepted on the same terms. And those are terms,” he finished, “we know the Cabal will never accept. Not while they serve the Echthroi.”
    “Why not?” asked Jack.
    “Because,” said Verne, “the Binding invokes Deep Magic, which can only be used by one of noble worth, in a cause of selfless intent—and the Echthroi have only ever served themselves.”
    “Enough speechifying, Jules,” said Bert. “Let’s just get on with this, shall we?”
    One by one, each of those gathered at Tamerlane House accepted a silver ring from Verne. When they had all been given out, Rose read the passage in the Geographica that Chaucer indicated. As she spoke the last word, a wave of energy swept over the entire island.
    “Well,” said Verne. “That’s it and done. Unless someone has one of these rings, or is already here, they’re not setting foot in the Nameless Isles.”
    “Amen,” said Grimalkin.

    After the ceremony of the rings, the Caretakers separated briefly to reflect on the events of the day and plan their next strategies.John, Jack, and Charles, however, held back, and indicated for Twain to do the same. After a few minutes, the room had cleared, and they were alone except for a few of the Elder Caretakers who were still talking at the far end.
    “What can I do for you boys?” asked Twain.
    “Bert has been very, ah, anxious this entire time,” said Jack, “no pun intended. I’ve seen him under stress before, and it’s always been like water off a duck’s back. It never sinks in with