The Hero's Tomb Read Online Free PDF

technique for a lunge. They are not worthy to know.’
    ‘But surely—’
    ‘It is time to open their eyes, Major. Our great ancestor showed us the Way of the Light, and I intend to follow in his footsteps. Corin the Bold shall walk again.’
    She frowns at that. ‘Those words … I’ve heard them before, somewhere.’
    ‘A figure of speech. You heard it when you were a child, no doubt. You may leave.’
    After she is gone, the Duke lays a hand on Morgan’s shoulder. Even to touch such a creature sends a jolt of horror through his body.
    ‘You have been my burden for many a year, Morgan,’ he says softly. ‘Like a whetstone to a blade you have kept me determined. Do not think you will go unrewarded.’ He bends down to whisper in the ogre’s ear.
    ‘When the Light comes … when it shines into every dark corner of the Old World, burning away every last trace of evil … you shall be the first to die.’

Chapter Four
    Captain Newton crept through the darkened corridors of the Academy, rubbing at the red marks on his wrists. He’d sworn he’d never return to the Old World. Sworn it on the lives of his mother, his father and his grandfather. Sworn it on the scars that marked his wrists and had never healed. Yet here he was, back in the Old World.
    Worse still – in Azurmouth.
    ‘Where are we going, mister?’ asked Ty sleepily. The fairy was riding on his shoulder, and had barely woken up.
    ‘Keep it down,’ Newton murmured.
    There was something sinister about the Academyat night. The way the shadows gathered in crevices and stretched across the flagstones, and the deathly silence – no sound but his own footsteps, and not a soul to see him pass by. So much the better. He had work to do.
    Ever since the Battle of Illon, a terrible weight had settled in the pit of Newton’s gut. It wasn’t just Joseph that bothered him. That was a worry, of course. No – there was something more. Something that had taken his appetite away and brought him from his bed tonight. If he could just lay it to rest, then he could concentrate on finding Joseph before—
    A shadow stirred, and a figure stepped into a pool of moonlight ahead, blocking his path.
    ‘Found you,’ said Tabitha.
    Newton cursed under his breath. Should have been more careful. ‘Go back to bed.’
    ‘Not until you tell me where you’re going.’ She was scowling, hands on hips. ‘I couldn’t sleep, then I heard you sneaking out with Ty. Do you have any idea what time it is?’
    He had spoken those same words to her when she was a little girl, and had crept downstairs to raid the larder of fresh pies at Bootles’ Pie Shop. He gave the same answer she had given him then. ‘Time for you to be asleep.’
    Tabitha shook her head. ‘Why can’t you tell me what’s going on? You’re not the only one in the Watch, you know.’
    ‘I’m going to the Academy library.’
    ‘I don’t think we’re going to find Joseph in a library.’
    ‘I said I’m going. And this isn’t about Joseph.’
    ‘Then what is it about?’
    ‘And what’s a library?’ added Ty.
    ‘Never you mind,’ said Newton. ‘Just go back to bed, right now.’ Tabs didn’t need to know about this. None of the watchmen did.
    But instead of leaving, Tabitha crossed her arms and glared at him. ‘We should be out there looking for Joseph.’
    ‘First thing tomorrow, Tabs – that’s what we agreed. Right now the city will be crawling with whitecoats.’
    ‘That’s exactly why we should start looking!’
    Her voice was rising in anger, and Newton laid a finger on her lips. ‘That’s not what I meant,’ he said, as gently as he could. ‘Joseph’s not reckless. He’s quick on his feet, and he’s a sight less conspicuous than us. Besides, he chose to come here. So we have to trust that he knows what he’s doing. We’ll start looking for him at the crack of dawn – I promise.’
    Tabitha didn’t breathe a word, but the fierce set of her jaw made it clear what she thought of