The Living Sword Read Online Free PDF Page B

had then faded and chipped. At last his mind made the connection between what he saw and what he knew. 'That's Linese.'
    They were buildings. Hundreds upon hundreds of them. None of them as grand as the villa or as tall as the lighthouse he had seen on the way here, but gathered in one place this multitude easily dwarfed it. The city stretched out as far as the eye could see, the only breaks in this skyline were two broad waterways that had to be the river Endria.
    Towering above the city a sprawling structure of red stone was topped by a golden dome reflecting the rising sun as it peaked through a patchwork of clouds. It was the Paleidrome. Eurik recalled the words of Barsoc. “If politics are the lifeblood of Linese, than the Paleidrome is the heart.”
    As the ship drew nearer, the sounds coming over the water grew more distinct too. There were so many of them. Ships groaned as they bobbed in the surf, feet stepped and stomped on wood and stone, cartwheels rattled, and through it all people talked, screamed, sang, and yelled. One of the voices sounded awfully close.
    Eurik looked around and noticed they had an extra passenger this morning. A man with weathered skin wearing an off-white tunic and gray leggings stood next to Hoyashi and pointed something out. It turned out to be the empty dock that the Ichiru glided towards. The sail had been raised, and the ship now moved on the currents Hoyashi manipulated.
    'Must be a pilot,' he concluded. Eurik gave the man a closer look. He went barefoot and was missing a finger on his left hand. His face was pockmarked and his hair was graying, but Eurik was starting to think the pilot was younger than Patheos. Much younger even. There weren't that many wrinkles on his face and they weren't as deep as the scholar's.
    Speaking of Patheos, sounds coming from the tent signaled he had woken up. “Good morning,” Eurik said as the scholar crawled out.
    “For the young maybe,” Patheos grumbled. “I'm a little too old now to be chipper after spending several nights on a floor.” He stretched his back, producing several popping sounds. “Your island is a paradise for the curious, but a nightmare for those who like a good night's rest.”
    The scholar joined him in gazing at the city. He took a deep breath. “First thing we do is find Graccio's so I can introduce you to a Linesan breakfast.” Patheos smacked his lips. “I haven't had any garum in so long I've started to forget the taste. And in the afternoon, we will go to the Forum Diie to catch a debate. I wonder what they're talking about these days?”
    Eurik gave the Linesan a smile. “Sounds interesting. And perhaps we could visit your, ah, family member after that and ask about my parents' ship.”
    “Of course. And even if Rolan can't find anything out, he can ask around. And then tonight, I can finally rest in a bed again.”
    Ichiru slowed to a crawl as it slid up against the wooden dock. Two of the crew jumped overboard towing ropes to secure the ship. Patheos went up to Hoyashi and thanked him for his hospitality while Eurik silently bowed before they both made their way off the ship. The young man couldn't help but look over his shoulder at the last piece of home he would see for a long time.
    “Patheos is-Ilad?” someone asked.
    Turning his attention away from the ship, Eurik saw a man dressed in green approach them. His clothes looked finer than the pilot's, though they were just as simple, except that this new person wore sandals.
    “Patheos is-Ilad?” he repeated.
    “That would be me,” the scholar confirmed.
    “Excellent. I bring an invitation from your benefactor,” the man said. He clearly addressed Patheos, but his eyes were busy looking over Eurik. “He is holding a dinner this evening and wishes for you to enlighten the discussions.”
    “I will of course attend.” The scholar turned to him. “It seems our plans for this afternoon will have to be postponed.”
    “I'm afraid C—your benefactor