The Last Protector Read Online Free PDF Page A

was a blur of movement, and suddenly Scrornuck was standing, holding a large knife upon which the breadstick was neatly skewered. “Mister Saughblade is full of surprises,” Jape said. “Do we have a deal?"
    "Probably,” she said. “I don't believe for one second that I can read minds. But I can pretend I do—if the price is right."
    "I'll offer five silver pieces a day."
    She glanced at Scrornuck, who surreptitiously held up three fingers. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Three gold pieces a day, in advance, plus you provide all food and lodging. Deal?"
    Jape looked at Nalia, then at Scrornuck, and again at Nalia. Then, with a slight sigh, he reached into his purse. “You drive a hard bargain."
    "I get good advice."
    "That you do,” Jape said, handing Nalia her nine gold pieces. He left a moderately generous tip, and the three headed for the door.
* * * *
    "The whole world's here!” Scrornuck exclaimed as he stepped through the Guest Gate. The crowd filling Temple Square seemed to have come from everywhere—he saw people in long, loose desert robes, Elizabethan-style tights and ruffled shirts, crisp, modern military uniforms, buckskin and beads, and more. The people themselves were as varied as their dress—while most appeared to be Native American, the crowd included at least a few people from every land on Earth.
    Trumpets blared, and a row of young men and women carrying tall poles topped by silver treble clefs and images of Spafu stepped smartly into the Square. Marching bands followed, and behind them came gaily attired dancers, flag-wavers, tumblers, and teams of people singing merrily as they pulled elaborate floats. The floats’ ornately costumed passengers threw strings of beads, coins and other baubles to the spectators, and children ran about, weaving and ducking between the adults as they fought mock battles over the trinkets. One child stopped and stared up at Scrornuck with unabashed curiosity for several seconds before giving a shy half-wave and disappearing into the crowd.
    A large copper coin sailed over Scrornuck's head, and he instinctively leaped to catch it. “Three free drinks!” he boasted, slipping the coin into his sporran. Nalia won the battle to catch a gaudy string of beads, and with a laugh she placed them around Scrornuck's neck.
    The parade's final and most spectacular float was festooned with images of the Friendly Dragon. Its sole passenger was a short, rather pudgy man, resplendent in garish red robes and a turban topped with a golden likeness of Spafu. Scrornuck nudged Nalia. “Who's that?"
    "You don't know? That's Rosaiah, the High Priest!” She looked at him as if he'd just asked the world's dumbest question.
    The float stopped before the balcony of City Hall, where the Mayor of Taupeaquaah swayed unsteadily. Two Guards supported him: on his right, her arm firmly linked with his, a crisply white-uniformed woman with short blonde hair, and on his left, a bored-looking young man whom Scrornuck instantly recognized. “Hey, isn't that your special friend up there?"
    "Yeah,” Nalia said. “I guess he wasn't lying when he said he's a big shot."
    As the float resumed its movement, the Mayor disappeared behind the balcony's rail, apparently being sick. Scrornuck chuckled. “Looks like he had too much fun last night."
    "The Saturday night before the Sacrifice is a big blowout for the whole town,” she said. “The Mayor's expected to show leadership."
    The High Priest's float came to a graceful halt before the Temple. A horde of muscular young men wearing little more than loincloths quickly extended a gangplank and stood at attention as the Priest sashayed down to the building's grand, curving porch. “Where'd they find these guys?” Scrornuck asked, feeling a little envious.
    "There's a big Pageant,” Nalia said, keeping her eyes on the men. “We pick the best-looking guys in town to be Acolytes. I once dated a guy who got picked—he spent eight hours a day working out,