The Thorn of Dentonhill Read Free Page A

opened.
    â€œDon’t tell me you’re just getting here,” Kaiana said, scowling at him. Her dark eyes were wide and alert. She had already woken up for the day, dressed in her loose canvas pullover and slacks. Veranix cursed himself for losing track of time. She stepped back and let him scramble into the window. “It’s nearly eight bells!”
    â€œNearly got caught, and I burned myself out getting away. And then I stumbled into a den.”
    â€œYou reek of fish, you know,” she said, her flat nose crinkling in disgust. Kaiana Nell was a dark-haired, brown-skinned girl. Ruder people would call her a Napa: half Druth, half Napolic. She was a soldier’s daughter, born out on the tropical islands during the Fifty Year War.
    Ruder people would call Veranix a Dirty Quin if his Racquin heritage were as clear on his face. Of course, Racquin were only a little darker than “regular” Druthalians. They just kept to the roads and kept to their own, for the most part. Though Veranix, like Kaiana, was only half. His father was a “regular” Druth, born and raised in Maradaine, just blocks away from the University. Veranix had inherited his father’s fair skin and green eyes, and could speak in his father’s Aventil neighborhood accent. Even his last name, Calbert, was pure Druth. Only his given name gave any hint that he was anything but a local.
    â€œI landed in a bin full of them,” he said. “It wasn’t fun.”
    â€œYou got careless out there, didn’t you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou ‘stumbled’ into a den?”
    â€œReally, I did. Well, I found it was there, and I couldn’t just ignore—”
    â€œI get it,” she said. Her eyes narrowed. “Did you destroy their stash?”
    â€œFifteen, maybe twenty vials.”
    â€œNot much stash.”
    He took out the pouch of coins. “Plus this. Keep them from getting more.”
    â€œYou count it?”
    â€œOf course not.” He tossed it over to her. “Can you drop that at Saint Julian’s?”
    â€œYeah,” she said, putting the sack under her bed.
    He took off his leather vest and linen tunic as if they were one piece. “I’m going to hide my gear here today.”
    â€œGear, yes. Not those clothes.”
    â€œKai, if I get caught in these clothes . . .”
    â€œIf that fish smell brings Master Jolen searching here, he’ll find all your gear. Then I’ll be out on the street.” Master Jolen was the head groundskeeper of the campus. Veranix knew that he, at best, tolerated Kaiana’s presence on his staff, and would probably use any excuse to kick her out.
    â€œYou have my spare uniform?” he asked.
    â€œNo, Veranix,” she said. “I told you, I hid those in the Spinner Run.”
    â€œWhy did you do that?”
    â€œAgain, if Jolen finds a student’s uniform in here, he’ll throw me out. After he beats me for being a ‘wanton trollop.’”
    â€œHe wouldn’t dare,” Veranix said.
    â€œOh, I think he would,” she said. “I think he’d like it.” Kaiana was the only female on the grounds staff, so Jolen had her sleep in the carriage house, while the rest lived in one of the staff barracks. Jolen was constantly threatening her with beatings if she stepped out of line, but he hadn’t ever followed through, as far as Veranix knew.
    â€œAll right,” Veranix said. He rummaged through his pack and took out the stolen papers.
    â€œAre those what you wanted?” she asked.
    â€œDon’t know. Haven’t gotten a chance to look at them.” He glanced at the sheets in his hands.
    â€œYou don’t have time now!”
    â€œNearly eight bells already?”
    â€œIf not past.”
    â€œFine, fine.” Grudgingly, Veranix stuck the papers in the crease of his pants.
    â€œRidiculous,” she muttered, shoving his pack