The Winterstone Plague (The Carrion Cycle) Read Free Page B

that nothing foul was afoot. The old man had upset many of the women almost to the point of tears; it was not a pleasing sight to behold. He had never seen his neighbors so shaken to the core before, and that was a fact that he would be sure to pass on to his father.
    “Do not just stand there,” Valthian called. “Let’s get moving.”
    “If you don’t mind, young lordling, I would prefer not to have a sword pointed at me.”
    “And I would prefer not to have my people frightened.”
    Abytheos nodded. “I will refrain from frightening the little sheep, but please put away your weapons.”
    Valthian sighed and returned his sword to its scabbard. “You too, Tomas. We don’t want to make our guest feel threatened .”
    “Are you sure, Val? I don’t trust him in the slightest!”
    “I do not think he will cause us additional trouble. Isn’t that right, father ?”
    “I am a man of my word,” Abytheos replied. “You will not hear another peep from this old timer.”
    “See that you keep your promise. I do not take kindly to liars.”
    Valthian motioned for Tomas to take the lead. He fell behind a few steps—just enough to give him room to act should the stranger’s intentions become nefarious—and they marched in the direction of De’Fathi Manor.

Chapter 2
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    T HE SUN had already begun to set by the time the three reached De’Fathi Manor. The chill air of midday had given way to the biting cold of the evening, and Valthian was ready to get inside and heat up by the fire. He was prepared to hand his new guest over to his father and to be done with the whole thing. Of course, Philip De’Fathi might have other plans for the man—plans that would require Valthian’s assistance. Either way, he would be glad when this day was well behind him. The frightened faces of his fellow townsfolk were still fresh in his memory, and he was fighting back pangs of anger.
    “Just up those steps, Abytheos.”
    The old man nodded and advanced.
    “Tomas, be sure to get the door for him. We do not want to frighten mother.”
    Valthian remained a few feet behind, walking slowly while gauging each of Abytheos’s steps. He was nowhere near as trusting as his brother, which is why he chose the rear guard in the first place. Tomas had always been so carefree and unwilling to believe that most men were capable of evil. Valthian had seen otherwise during the brief travels his father allowed. He enjoyed fetching supplies from the nearby towns; once, he had even been given permission to make a trip to Vinter’s Edge. It had been quite exciting at first, at least until the group he had gone with decided to stop at one of the city’s seedier inns. Valthian had seen a man’s throat cut for a pittance of copper coins that day. It was something he would never forget.  Now he was more cautious than his sibling. Understanding how the world worked had that effect on a young man.
    “Thank you Tomas. I can take it from here.”
    Tomas wrinkled his nose. “Aw! Can’t I come with you? I always miss everything.”
    “There is nothing to miss, dear brother. I will take him to father and all shall be dealt with. I want you to check on mother. She mentioned not feeling well before we left for school this morning.”
    “Did she?” Tomas looked concerned.
    “Indeed, she did. You were probably too busy making jokes to have heard.”
    “Fine. I’ll check on her THIS time. You better not be lying just to get rid of me.”
    “Why would I ever do that?” Valthian asked, trying to hide his smile.
    “Tomas shot a sideways glance, but he didn’t argue further. He shook his head, turned, and disappeared around the corner at the end of the long hall.
    “You are in my home now,” Valthian whispered. “Do not disrespect my family in any way. You are to speak to my father only when he asks you a question. Is this perfectly clear?”
    Abytheos bowed deeply. “Perfectly, My Lord. I wouldn’t dream of bringing shame or