Lords of Trillium Read Free Page B

“That’s it, Texi!”
    Texi’s paw felt heavy as she flew at her would-be attacker, but she wielded her dagger nimbly, sticking the rat all the way up to the hilt. Growling intently, she pivoted in a taut circle and sliced it again, this time in the belly. As soon as the blade entered, she pulled it downward, gutting the rat in one solid motion. Her teeth clenched, she yanked the knife out, landing on her feet as she dropped to the ground.
    â€œYou’ve done it, Texi!” shouted Elvi, clapping her paws as she jumped up and down. “You’ve killed him!”
    Panting furiously, Texi looked up at the burlap rat dangling from the ceiling of the deserted cell Billycan had once inhabited, now serving as her training room. She’d sliced the poor fellow stem to stern. Sand poured to the floor, coveringher feet. She gasped, dropping her dagger to the ground. “I . . . did it?”
    â€œYes, darling, you did,” said Elvi proudly, patting Texi’s ginger head.
    â€œBut—but how could I?” asked Texi, mystified. “How did I jump that high?”
    â€œRats are accomplished jumpers, darling,” Elvi replied. “You’ve been training for many months, not knowing your own strength. Your hard work has paid off.”
    â€œBut . . . I’m so small, so slight. . . .”
    Elvi wiggled a claw at her. “Now, now, my little soldier, what did I tell you about that sort of talk?”
    Texi smiled shyly. “Don’t belittle myself—ever. I’ve the spirit of a lion.”
    â€œYes, my dear, the spirit of a lion from the deepest Toscan jungle, and the heart of a true warrior. You’ve come a very long way this past year.” Texi’s smile melted away.
    â€œWhy, what is it darling?” Elvi asked, concerned. “Why such a sad face, on such a triumphant occasion?”
    â€œOh,” said Texi, “I’m not sad, really. I’m grateful . . . to you. You’ve done so much for me. You’ve always said we were sisters, but you’re more like . . .” Her voice trailed off.
    Elvi took Texi’s paw in her own. “More like . . . a
mother
?”
    â€œYes,” said Texi, lifting her chin. “I never knew my mother, but if I had, I’d want her to be just like you. You know, I’d do anything for you.”
    â€œAnything,” repeated Elvi softly. She pulled down the hood of her cloak and embraced Texi. “Then, my dearest girl, your mother I shall be.”

CHAPTER TWO
The Madness of King Silvius
    B ARELY KEEPING HIS BALANCE on the edge of the stool, Ajax leaned forward, trying to reach the last of the Hallowtide decorations with a stick. He eyed Billycan tromping down the corridor with an armful of cutout ghouls and ghosts. “How on earth did you get this one so high?” he called out in a strained voice as he tried to stretch farther. “For goodness’ sake, did you fly up here?”
    Billycan laughed. “I think in my excitement I may have quite literally scaled the wall.”
    â€œWell,” said Ajax, grunting as he jumped down from the stool, “you’re taller than me.” He offered the stick to Billycan. “Here, you try.”
    Cocking his head, Billycan stared blankly at the stick for a moment. His face went completely slack. His eyes flickered with recognition, shifting from crimson to a brilliant orange.The stack of paper cutouts fell from his arm, spinning through the air and scattering about the corridor.
    â€œWhat is it?” asked Ajax. “What’s the matter?”
    Still eyeing the stick, Billycan swallowed stiffly and took a cautious step forward. He pointed at it with a yellowed claw. His voice was guarded and taut. “Where . . . did you get
that
?”
    â€œIt belonged to the empress, our former leader.” Ajax scoffed disdainfully. “I