The Rogue Knight Read Online Free PDF Page A

rope.”
    â€œWill they stop working right on the border?” Cole asked. “Won’t they work a little while we’re still close to Sambria?”
    â€œThey would work a little in Junction, between the kingdoms,” Mira said. “Once you cross into another kingdom, everything is different. The boundaries have existed since anyone can remember. In populated areas the border is usually marked. But marked or not, the effect is the same—the way shaping works changes. I guess there’s a small chance some of our renderings might work a little in the other kingdom, but they’ll work just as well a hundred miles into Elloweer as they will right after stepping out of Sambria.”
    â€œMy ring, for example,” Twitch said. “It reverts me to my Ellowine form even when I’m in another kingdom.”
    â€œBut items like Twitch’s ring are rare,” Mira said.
    â€œHere comes Jace,” Twitch said. “He made pretty good time. We never stopped until just now.”
    Cole saw Jace propelling himself down the road, his golden rope coiling and uncoiling like a spring, first thrusting him forward, then cushioning his landing. The result had him moving almost as fast as they could with their Jumping Swords.
    Twitch gave a whistle, and Jace came to a halt the next time his rope absorbed his landing. “Where are you?” Jace called in a hushed voice.
    Twitch sprang over the bush toward the road. Cole helped Mira to her feet. They tromped to the road instead of jumping.
    â€œHow’d it go?” Cole asked.
    â€œMira’s sidekick is well off the road,” Jace said. “Didn’t take too long. No sign of pursuit yet. Should we keep going?”
    â€œYes,” Mira said.
    â€œAre you sure you don’t need a longer break?” Cole asked.
    â€œI could use one,” Mira admitted. “But we can’t afford it. If word is out about our location, we can’t let our enemies catch up to us. We need to get to Carthage and find a place to hide out.”
    Mango fluttered down. “Found Jace. Didn’t take long.”
    â€œScout ahead and behind,” Mira said. “Let us know if danger approaches. After we get to Carthage, we’ll cross into Elloweer. As a semblance, you can’t go there, so find Joe and tell him where we went. Once Joe catches up to us, go back to Liam and let him know what we’re doing. Then serve him until I return to Sambria.”
    The cockatiel dipped her head. “As you desire.” She took flight, climbing swiftly.
    Cole shook his head, realizing he barely even reacted now to a magically created talking bird helping out the group. It was amazing how quickly the totally bizarre could become normal when it was part of your everyday life.
    â€œI’ve never been to Carthage,” Jace said. “I hear it’s quite a city.”
    â€œNot many cities span two kingdoms,” Mira said. “Add that it’s on a river, and you have a major trade center.”
    â€œAnd we have a few ringers to spare,” Jace said with a grin. “I brought our money from the coach.”
    â€œWe’re not on holiday,” Mira scolded.
    â€œPlenty of people in cities have money,” Jace said. “We’ll draw less attention if we don’t look like we’re hiding.”
    â€œKids spending a lot of money always draws attention,” Mira said, “as curiosities and as targets.”
    â€œShe has a point,” Cole said. That was as true back home in Arizona as it was here.
    â€œSo do I,” Jace replied harshly. “I’ve spent my life as a slave. I don’t want to keep living like one longer than necessary. I’m free, and I have money. I don’t think we should start tossing around gold ringers, but plenty of free kids our age have some money on them. Enough to buy some food and have a little fun.”
    â€œNo fun,” Mira said sternly.