The Emerald Quest Read Online Free PDF Page A

she almost stepped on a brindled dog sitting in the road.
    â€˜Sorry, dog,’ she said and stretched out her hand to pat it. It snarled, showing its pink gums and pointed teeth. Tia jumped back. The dog slunk towards her, growling.
    â€˜Come in here, girl,’ a voice said from behind her and Tia found herself dragged backwards into an inn.
    A big, grim-looking woman had pulled Tia inside and now she was pushing her onto a bench at a table by an open window. She gave Tia a lump of cold meat. ‘Throw that out to the dog and if you’re lucky it’ll forget about you.’
    Tia did as she was told and the dog snatched up the meat and ran away.
    â€˜Thank you,’ Tia said. ‘I’ll pay you for the meat.’ She gave the woman a bronze coin. ‘Is that enough?’
    â€˜More than enough,’ the woman said. ‘It’ll buy you a meal as well. I’ll bring it to you. And don’t speak to anyone while I’m gone.’
    Tia nodded, and glanced round. The customers all sat alone, staring down at their meals. Nobody smiled.
    The woman returned carrying a tray of bread and cheese, a sweet pastry roll and a glass of water.
    â€˜There you are,’ she said putting it on the table. She sat opposite Tia. ‘Suppose you tell me what you’re doing in Drangur,’ she asked softly. ‘I can tell you’ve never been before – you don’t even know to beware of the beasts.’
    Tia’s mind raced: could she trust this woman? ‘I’m a Trader…’ she began.
    â€˜Careful!’ the woman said. ‘Don’t look as though you’re telling me something important; a creature might be watching to take back information to HER.’ She jerked her head in the direction of the castle that loomed above them.
    Tia looked round. ‘I can’t see any animals.’
    The woman smiled grimly. ‘There are cats, there are mice, there are birds that can hide anywhere. You never know what’s spying.’
    Goosebumps rose on Tia’s arms and the back of her neck prickled as though someone – or something – was staring at her from a secret place.
    The innkeeper leaned forward and asked softly, ‘What are you doing here all alone, child?’
    â€˜I’m lost,’ Tia whispered. ‘I was separated from my people in a fog over the great plain. I’ve walked and walked. I’m meant to be going to Iserborg town butI’ve come the wrong way.’
    â€˜You have indeed. Iserborg’s a long way from here.’
    â€˜My parents will come and find me, but what can I do till then? I need to work for my keep.’
    The woman shifted uneasily. ‘You could always try up at the castle. No-one likes to stay there for long so there’s always work to be found, especially in HER menagerie.’
    â€˜What’s a menagerie?’ Tia asked.
    â€˜It’s where SHE keeps wild animals in cages and makes them perform. It’s horrible – wolves and bears made to dance, lynx and snow leopards to do tricks. And when she’s tired of them she kills them.’ The innkeeper shuddered.
    â€˜That is horrible,’ Tia said. ‘But I need work.’
    â€˜I understand.’ The innkeeper patted Tia’s hand. ‘When you’ve finished just go up to castle and say you’re looking for work. And I’ll prepare you a bed here for the night.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ Tia said and finished off her food in silence.

    The innkeeper was right; there was plenty of work at the castle, and Tia was sent to the Beast Masterof the menagerie. The huge man looked Tia up and down. ‘You’re very small,’ he said.
    â€˜I’m strong,’ Tia said. ‘And I can work hard.’
    â€˜The last assistant annoyed Malindra. You aren’t foolish enough to do that, are you, girl?’
    Tia shook her head.
    â€˜Good, because you know what happens to people who annoy