Waking Olympus (The Singers of the Dark Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

were, even if they were still alive, which he doubted, or maybe the doubting was just convenient denial. He dismissed the train of thought, it just wasn't helping him.
    He ‘got a lift’ with Captain Woran into the city. The good captain had decided to leave the cargo handling to his first mate, his daughter, when the cargo wagons arrived, he had business in the city. Their open air carriage was pulled by huge black animals called horses. Mikel had never seen such creatures before, though he had heard stories that The Center was trying to breed them on one of the islands. The carriage started with a jolt and the horses leapt forward. He had ridden on some bullock carts but this was wonderful. The carriage slowed down once away from the docks and made its way through the crowded, muddy streets, narrowly avoiding low overhanging drapes of various colors, and balconies decked by faces peeking over looking at them with curious but impenetrable expressions. He was let off at a street corner.
    "Be careful, Mikel. There are many pickpockets in Bethor, we don't have them in the Farrel but we don't have much wealth either. Just take care even if you do look pretty poor."
    He looked about at the crowds, many in exotic clothes of different hues.
    "By their standards I probably am poor." In Lind, he and his fellow students thought themselves special. White knights of knowledge, who would free the world. Now it seemed more like an adolescent fantasy.
    Captain Woran pointed down the nearby street, and rattled off some directions, that went over Mikel's head, then he was gone and Mikel was by himself surrounded by Bethor.
    Eventually, after all the hustle and bustle, seeming to not know where he was going, and his incessant questions he now stood by himself before a strange wooden building three stories tall. The external structure of the outside was painted dark brown and black in places, the walls in a fading white that he recognised as lime, with the bottom of the building edged in green by algae. A sign outside announced that this was “Ted’s Haven and Inn - Finest in Bethor”. Mikel was sure the building had a lean to the right. Didn’t these people know anything about statics? No, of course they didn’t. But they should at least have decent eyes .
    He didn’t quite regard them as barbarians. The Center was scrupulous about that. “We serve the people by improving their life and their future.” He found himself mouthing the words, deeply ingrained into his thinking and habits.
    He hefted his backpack to reposition it on his shoulders. Set his staff in what he thought was a confident pose and walked through the door. The building was made of wood but had a large front window that let in light. Although it was common in Lind, window glass of this quality seemed quite rare in Bethor. He could see reasonably well in spite of having just come in out of the sun. To his left was a polished bench like fixture which he had been told was a ‘bar’.  
    “On your left will be a bar. Talk to the owner Ted, he's usually doing barman duties.” Master Samuel had advised him.
    The bar seemed to be where alcohol was served. He knew about alcohol because the Islands exported wine and spirits, and of course every kid at some time brews beer and eventually builds a still, at first to make alcohol and later to make more interesting things. A man behind the bar was pouring a beer from a keg that was against the wall. He turned and saw Mikel. He looked to be over 50, loose wild gray hair, sunspots on his face and freckles, dark brown skin. He obviously did a lot more than stay in this place.
    “What will it be?” He asked, with as much carelessness as if good manners had to be paid for, in advance.
    “I was told I could get a room here.” Mikel said.
    “That is correct. The rate is two silver dollars per night, in advance.”
    Mikel realized his uncertainty was obvious. But he didn’t know if he was supposed to haggle or not.
    “New from