The Orphans' Promise Read Online Free PDF Page A

want to see you rummaging through the merchandise!”
    “Five terces! But we could just rent a princely inn at that pri—”
    Grigán cut Rey short, “We will pay, and you won’t have any trouble… as long you don’t give us any.”
    Raji observed the serious face of the Ramgrith warrior, agreed, and climbed the stairway as fast and dignified as he could. He promised himself to not give any offerings to Dona for several dékades.

     
    The Small Palace market took place on the seventh day of each dékade. It was only the fifth of the dékade of the Bird. The meeting was only two days away. Nevertheless, “since everyone seemed determined to go through with this crazy plan,” Grigán wanted to get a look at the place and study it before the crowds invaded. Thus, an excursion to Lorelia was on the agenda for the day.
    Of course, this didn’t involve everyone. Bowbaq had to rest and would spend the day in bed. Corenn would stay at his side, even though the only one who had much knowledge in the art of healing was the veteran, Grigán. Corenn asked Yan to stay behind with them too. The young man understood that they were going to have their
big conversation
. He accepted, wondering why he suddenly had a pit in his stomach.
    In fact, for the safety of his companions, Grigán didn’t want to bring anyone along. Léti and Rey launched into a memorable chain of protests and arguments that were hardly convincing. The warrior eventually conceded to the actor’s point that he might need a guide in the largest city of the known world. But Grigán knew better, that despite Rey’s lack of respect for authority, he could indeed prove useful. Grigán knew Rey to be rebellious enough to accompany him anyway, regardless of what he decided.
    But he didn’t give in to Léti, and the tone of the conversation was on the verge of escalating at any moment. Finally, the warrior settled it by promising Léti a first combat lesson in the near future. Léti pretended to think about it for a moment, but accepted without the slightest objection. The warrior avoided meeting Corenn’s disapproving eyes and left to prepare.
    It was out of the question to walk around Lorelia with their everyday clothing. Naturally, for a disguise Grigán planned to simply cover himself in a large black cape of light fabric. Rey promised he would make himself unrecognizable, grabbed his pack, and slipped behind Corenn’s improvised curtain.
    He hadn’t yet reappeared when Raji made another appearance in the warehouse. This time the little man was decently dressed and an authentic Goranese broadsword hung from his belt.
    Grigán could tell by experience that the little smuggler wasn’t used to carrying a weapon. His blade’s poorly laced sheath shifted around uncomfortably, and Raji repeatedly had to reposition itupright. He even managed to trip over it, barely catching his fall by clinging to a basket full of Wastille pears, ending his stumble in an amusing posture.
    The little man pretended to ignore the presence of the strangers and proceeded to take his usual inventory of goods that were to be “ferried” that day. After consulting one or another of his crooked record books that he kept in pristine condition, he placed this or that basket, chest, barrel, or other eccentric container in the middle of the first cellar. When he judged the pile sufficient, he went to the stable and came back pulling a donkey by the reins, dragging the poor animal down the stairs. Although he had certainly managed the maneuver hundreds of times, it now felt like a challenge.
    At that precise moment, Rey decided to unveil his disguise. Or at least the person who must have been Rey, since he had after all disappeared behind the curtain a full centiday before. His companions experienced a moment of hesitation. Grigán’s reflexes took hold faster than his reason, and he assumed a combat position before recognizing him as their friend.
    The actor had disguised himself as a Zü