The Hollow Queen Read Online Free PDF Page A

traverse the island of Serendair, which was almost half the size of the Middle Continent, in little more than three days.”
    â€œThree days? That seems all but impossible. No wonder it was believed that he could fly.”
    â€œAt least some of his remarkable speed was due to a carefully built and maintained network of outstanding horseflesh, quartered in secret at various points across the island. MacQuieth knew the terrain of Serendair better than all but the most accomplished of foresters, and his brain was uniquely mathematical. He was able to synthesize the logistics of time and distance with an understanding of the lay of the land.
    â€œHe had determined a route of hubs that allowed him to travel not as the crow flies, obviously, but very close to it in terms of its efficiency and speed. I have to admit that, while no one would think to accuse me of being a fanciful man, I was secretly disappointed to discover the reality of MacQuieth’s Wings. But that was a long time ago, long before I was named king and had a population to guard, a realm to protect. Now I am grateful for the knowledge of that ancient hero’s system, which I’ve duplicated as best as I could in this new world. It took me less than a sennight to arrive here from Ylorc, in spite of the fact that the regular journey along the trade route is a fortnight and a half in good weather and conditions.”
    â€œRemarkable.”
    â€œNot really,” said Achmed. “It is merely good planning. Good planning usually pays off, though not always, of course. It is in those times when it doesn’t that I am most aware of how vulnerable we all are in the world. The best you can do after the last plan is carefully laid is to lay your wager well, and be ready for the time your card doesn’t come up when the deck is cut.”
    He rose slowly and stretched his body meticulously, like a patient cat.
    â€œNow, if you will be so kind, I would like to see that guest room you promised me for the night. Wake me the moment the cloaks are done.”
    â€œI will,” said Gwydion. “I shall await their completion and bring them to you myself.” He stood and rang for the chamberlain.
    â€œThank you. Remember—no later than two hours past midnight. I need to be gone beyond the sight of anyone at Highmeadow before First-light.”
    â€œSleep well.” Gwydion hesitated, then blurted out the question he had pondered for hours.
    â€œEr—Tristan Steward?”
    Achmed turned and looked at him coolly. “Yes?”
    â€œWhat—what should I tell Lady Madeleine? His wife?”
    â€œI would leave that to your godfather when he gets back,” Achmed said. “He’s a much better liar than you are. And if he doesn’t come back and you judge intervention to be necessary, I would tell her that he died bravely serving the Alliance. All those Cyrmians wouldn’t recognize the truth anyway.”
    He turned again and followed the nervous Manus out the door.

    OVER THE NORTHERN BORDER, STEPPES OF SORBOLD
    Dranth was dreaming, something he could not remember having done in so long that it was as if it were the first time.
    He was wrapped in a dark camp blanket beneath a brindleberry bush, his unconscious mind methodically making schematics and escape routes for a panopoly of situations that might occur within the palace of Jierna Tal. Had Dranth been conscious, he would have been undertaking the same chain of thought.
    He had already determined that he was prepared to sacrifice Yabrith if worse came to worst, though that would be an unfortunate turn of events. Though no one in the Raven’s Guild considered Yabrith to be a solo operator, he had the long-term memory of the organization at the edge of his consciousness, and he had been a favorite of Esten, the legendary guildmistress, when she was still alive.
    It had never ceased to amaze Dranth that a man of such little repute as Yabrith would be