Volle Read Online Free PDF

loudly, “Innkeeper! A round of mead, if you please, and make it Vellenland mead if you have it.”
    “No Vellenland,” the bear behind the counter replied. “We have Cauter mead, regular and blackberry; we have Forest mead, and we have Holtan’s ginger spiced cider. And Royal mead, of course.”
    “Cauter regular, then,” Reese said. He chose a table, and Volle and Seir joined him at it.
    “Cauter?”
    Reese grinned at Volle. “Cauter’s second best to Vellenland. A distant second, but still ahead of third.”
    Volle shook his head. “Who would’ve thought your drinking would be so useful?”
    “Wait ‘til you taste it. In the palace I bet you’ll get Vellenland mead, too. Pity they don’t make very much of it.”
    The bear plunked three mugs down on their table. “Six copper.”
    Reese rummaged in a pouch and handed him six coins. The bear pocketed them, then stood by the table watching Reese.
    The hare sniffed his mug, then touched it to his lips and took a sip. “Mmm. Excellent.” He smiled up at the bear. “Thank you very much.”
    The bear smiled and nodded. “Pleasure, sir. Enjoy.”
    Volle sipped his mead. It was good, but it couldn’t quite dispel his thoughts. He turned to Seir. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
    “About what?”
    “About the Tephossians being…” he lowered his voice. “Panbestian Orthodox.”
    “I thought you knew that. It was covered.” Seir had an amused expression on her muzzle as she sipped the mead. “This is very good, Reese. Nice choice.”
    “I did, but I didn’t know how…I mean, their feelings about…” Volle sputtered and looked back and forth between the two of them.
    “What, did you think this was going to be some kind of pleasure holiday? This is work, Volle. Whether or not you can indulge your personal tastes should be beside the point.”
    “Someone still should have told me.” He took another drink from his tankard, but his mood was souring the taste.
    Seir touched his arm gently with a paw. “Maybe they were afraid you’d react exactly this way.”
    Volle was torn between resentment and self-pity. Did they really think he would have shunned his duty just because he would have to essentially take a vow of chastity? He had half a mind to do just that. He breathed in the scent of his mead and listened to Reese ask something innocuous of Seir, only half paying attention. The fatigue of the journey, the salve in his fur, and Reese’s news that afternoon were mounting to make him irritable, as much as he tried not to be. He reminded himself that he was here because he was the best qualified in his class, that a kingdom was depending on him, and that he should be honored.
    But they needed a fox, and I’m the only one. And if I’m going to act petty and self-involved, I only have a few more days to do it. Fox knows they never allowed that at the Academy.
    “I’m tired,” he announced, and stood up. “I’m going to go lie down.”
    “All right. We’ll wait for you for dinner.” Seir spoke quietly. “You’ll feel better after a nap.”
    “Hope so.” Volle left the table and walked over to the bartender. The bear, polishing a glass, had been watching him.
    “Help you, sir?”
    “Could you show me where our room will be tonight?”
    “Certainly, sir. Right this way.” The bear led him out of the bar and around to a staircase in the back. Volle took a moment to look at the sunset and savor the slight chill in the air. The river burbled to itself as it moved along behind him, and in the distance he could hear wild beasts howling. Crickets chirped nearby, and he flicked his ear at the drone of a mosquito.
    “I didn’t catch your name,” he said to the bear as they walked down a short hallway.
    “Gord, sir. Gord Stoutheart.”
    “Ah. A pleasure, Gord. I’m Yarrin. Yarrin Fletcher.”
    “Hope you enjoy your stay, Mr. Fletcher. Here’s your room.” He opened the door onto a small room with two bunk beds and a dresser. On the far