The High-Wizard's Hunt: Osric's Wand: Book Two Read Online Free PDF Page B

in digesting our food,” she whispered. “It keeps them from looking for it anywhere other than our, um, droppings.” Greyback smiled fearsomely. “Some time after our elders were imprisoned, the walkers found our hoards of treasure and took them as their own. We have few places left in this world that we can stow our treasures without fear of robbery, and we were forbidden to defend ourselves against walkers for fear of retribution against our kin caged at Braya.”
    Osric stared at her in disbelief. He fumed at the idea that further injustice had been done to the dragons, and there was little he could do about it other than find out who was responsible for containing the secret of the dragons’ imprisonment within his own realm. Kenneth snickered quietly, and Osric glared at him for his untimely display of humor.
    “That explains why my father used to insist that my mother fetch him herbs from the market for his constipation rather than swallow the coppers my mother attempted to feed him!” Kenneth could hardly contain himself, but he kept his laughter and exclamations nearly silent, so as to only share it with the three of them. Osric couldn’t help but smile at the joke, but respectfully refrained from joining Kenneth’s tittering, due to the seriousness of Greyback’s explanation.
    “Besides, this impressive sheen in my scales cannot be achieved by swallowing copper and gold.” Greyback winked at Osric. “Rather, it comes from lying upon it.” She stood up proud, a display of the shine of her scales in the torch light.
    “Thank you for sharing this with us, Greyback. I hope to rid you all of this burden soon, and you can acquire and protect all the gold you want, simply for the benefit of your scales,” Osric whispered. “Now, I’m afraid we need to get on with our business. I will see you again soon my friend.” Osric grabbed the ragged book that was never far from his reach and tucked it in his belt as Kenneth gathered his gear. He resolved himself to eliminating any lingering injustice to the dragons by learning more about who was behind it.
    Gordyn insisted that Dru accompany the two of them to see Toby. They followed the tentative, young Vigile as he led them along the walkway. Osric felt a rush of fear and concern as he observed the people all around him. The workers moving to and from the rubble carried themselves in a hopeless, half absent manner. Osric searched for, but failed to see, a single head held up with pride as they labored tirelessly in the twilight. Unfortunately, he doubted that their hopes would be rekindled in the near future. Although he hoped that the corruption did not extend far into the leadership of Stanton, Osric still felt apprehensive about trusting anyone other than Toby and James.
    As they crossed over the path leading to the palace, they could just make out the sound of crumbling rock being joined into slabs for the walls by Stone-Melders. One large man caught Osric’s gaze as they approached. His dirty and tattered clothing hung from his frame. He sat against a tree alongside the path sipping water, and the soulless, tired stare shocked Osric, bringing him to a stop. The face of every man sitting on the matted grass was blanketed in despair. The big man stared blindly back at him, his entire body covered with dust and grime. His feet were bloodied from the holes worn through his boots, and seeping, swollen wounds were visible through several tears in his clothing. The crusty heel of a loaf of bread hung limply in his right hand. As though eating were an afterthought, he looked down at his hand and his eyes drifted closed. As his head sagged, the crust of bread rolled onto the ground near Osric’s feet and a low snore began to rumble from his chest. The man’s hair was matted to his tear-streaked face, and it seemed months or more since he last bathed. His left hand was clasped tightly into a fist at his side, white knuckled and clutching a lone, white daisy.
    A