The Return of the Titans Read Online Free PDF Page B

the others. And
everything will be explained soon.” She patted his arm again and
then motioned ahead of them.
    Justin saw that they were approaching an
intersection of sorts. To the left and right, large iron doors were
set in the walls, while the corridor continued on into the
distance.
    “The others are in the
Court, to the left. Come along now.” The lady continued to pull him
along. Justin finally spoke up.
    “I'm sorry, ma'am,” he
said tentatively. “You know my name but I didn't get
yours.”
    The woman stopped abruptly, several feet
from the doors. “Oh my goodness!” she said. “I'm so befuddled
today. Honestly, if my head wasn't tied on, I'd lose it I'm
sure.”
    Justin grinned and felt himself calming down
even more. “I'm Mrs. Mallon.” She held out her hand. “And I am very
pleased to meet you, Mr. McLeod.”
    Justin shook her hand. She had a very firm
grip. “Please, Mrs. Mallon, call me Justin. I'm not old enough to
be mister to anyone.”
    She shook her finger at him but smiled at
the same time. “Respect knows no age, Mr. McLeod.” He just looked
at her and raised an eyebrow slightly. She chuckled. “Justin,” she
said. He nodded. “But we must be formal in front of the others, so
it's Mr. McLeod for the moment.”
    Mrs. Mallon took his arm again. “Now, we
have to get on. You are the last arrival today. At least, I hope
so. And like you, everyone is anxious to know what's going on.”
    They reached the large iron doors and turned
to face the one on the left. Beside the door, a small round stone
was inset into the wall. Justin was reminded of the rock that
Wilson had given to him. Like that one, this stone had a symbol
carved into it's surface. This one was a simple picture of a square
with a cross in the center. Mrs. Mallon reached over and tapped the
stone lightly.
    The iron door swung inward quietly. Justin
looked but no one had opened the door and he could see no mechanism
that could make it move. It was simply a heavy iron door. He
shrugged slightly. Another mystery to add to the rest.
    They walked through the doorway and entered
an enormous space. Justin stopped and stared. It was the size of a
cathedral. The vaulted ceiling was so high that it was partly
hidden in shadows. The walls were again covered with carvings but
the first ten feet or so were masked by hanging cloths that were
stitched into murals of amazing colors and designs. Heavy wooden
tables and chairs were scattered around the area in groups of three
or four.
    Justin looked toward the front of the room
and saw a gathering of people. Mrs. Mallon led him forward and, as
they approached, Justin could see that there were a bunch of young
people, most of whom seemed to be around his own age.
    They were sitting or standing alone or in
small groups. There were about thirty teens and perhaps a dozen
adults. The adults were either talking to various teenagers or just
making their way slowly through the crowd, patting this one or that
one on the shoulder or offering a whispered comment as they moved.
Justin noticed that most of the adults were older, like Mrs. Mallon
and wore simple yet elegant clothing.
    Near the far wall there was a low dais that
extended halfway across the width of the room. A long desk and
chair stood upon the platform and seated in the chair, glancing
through piles of notes, was a man. Justin looked at him and became
fascinated by what he saw.
    The man was wearing what Justin believed was
called a frock coat. His white shirt was tied at the neck with an
intricately knotted string bow tie. His black hair was quite long
and was tied back. He reminded Justin of pictures he had seen
online of gentlemen from the time of Charles Dickens.
    As Justin and Mrs. Mallon approached the
group, the low murmur of conversation stilled and people began to
turn and look at him. He felt his face redden and he ducked his
head. Mrs. Mallon patted his arm again and steered him to a seat at
a table near the dais. When he sat down,