The Last Quarrel (The Complete Edition) Read Online Free PDF Page A

asked angrily.
    “We usually didn’t have to do anything.” Eamon shrugged. “Once they saw us, they paid up. But I admit it, we lived up to our names. When you grow up in the streets, you do what you can to eat. I didn’t enjoy it, but if I hadn’t done it, someone else would have. Still, that’s how I came to your father’s notice and into your service, so it was not wasted.”
    “How did that happen?” Cavan asked. He had not known Eamon before the man was appointed his bodyguard, and the swordsman had never spoken of it before.
    “By then I was more than just a Bruiser. I was the one the Guild called in for the real problems. The merchants who were refusing to repay money and had hired guards to stop the Bruisers. One of your father’s lieutenants had run up a gambling debt and then tried to use his position here to avoid paying it. I was sent in to talk to him and he ordered three of his men to kill me. Your father saw me defeat them and then made me a better offer,” Eamon said, his eyes staring into the distance.
    “There’s more to that story than you are saying!” Cavan said with a smile.
    “Aye, there is,” Eamon admitted.
    “Well, go on then, tell me!”
    “It is a long story,” Eamon warned.
    “Highness, if we are to be on time for the ceremony at the West Gate, we need to leave now,” Niall interrupted respectfully.
    “Of course. Lead on, Niall,” Cavan sighed. “I’m looking forward to it already.”
     
    Cavan took a deep breath as they rode out of the castle and down the main road towards the West Gate. Berry had been, at least initially, laid out carefully. The eastern side faced the sea, towards the far-distant lands of the Kotterman Empire, while the King’s castle sat in the very center of the capital, roads running out north, south and west to three gates in the crude stone wall that bounded the city. But then all the planning ended, with homes and shops and markets crowded into every available space. The homes near the sea were bigger and more spacious, belonging to the nobles and Guilds. But the further west you got, the smaller and tighter the roads became, until they were just a series of twisted alleys. The homes were built almost on top of each other, leaning out over the street so the second stories were almost touching, plunging the alleys below into shadow even in the brightest sun.
    “I love the smell of the city in the morning,” Eamon declared.
    “Really?” Niall was holding a perfumed handkerchief to his face to try and combat the stench of the streets.
    “It reminds me of where I came from – and how lucky I am to be sleeping in the castle every night.” Eamon grinned.
    Even though it was only the three of them, the crowds parted for them as soon as they saw Prince Cavan’s face, people waving and cheering as he went past.
    Cavan fixed a smile on his face and waved gently as he rode, although he could feel his cheeks aching by the time they reached the West Gate.
    “Looks like it’s going to be a popular ceremony, whatever it is,” Niall commented, as they rode out into a small square before a gate that was packed with people.
    Cavan looked around carefully. “Something is not right here,” he said. “Hardly anyone is noticing me.”
    Eamon laughed. “At last! You are finally developing the right attitude. No more of this foolish modesty!”
    Cavan waved him down. “I’m serious. Look – all they care about is something over there.”
    They stood up in their stirrups but couldn’t tell what was going on because of the press of people. The crowd also felt wrong to Cavan. He was usually bathed in their warmth when he rode through them but this was different. All he could sense was a mixture of fear and anger. He was tempted to turn and ride away, when a squad of his father’s guards saw him and began to force a path through the crowd towards him.
    “Prince Cavan! Thank Aroaril you are here, highness. I don’t know how much longer we can keep