Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

the same that your mother and the other healer usually charge, and the coin would still go to them.”

She started to nod. “All right, yeah.”

“Where does she work?”

“On Birch Street.”

“Where is that?” I asked.

“It’s a small street south of here. It turns into Exeter North after Market.”

“Oh, I know that.” That was the street I took to get to Greda’s Enchanted Devices shop. “I’m still learning the city. Is there even an Exeter South?”

She laughed. “Yes. I should really take you around one day. There’s a lot to see.”

“Like what?”

“The various mansions, if you’re interested.”

I didn’t understand the appeal. “The people of Newhaven walk around to look at the mansions of rich families?”

“If they’ve never seen them before,” she said with a bit of offense. “We don’t just spend our leisure time looking at mansions, though. In fact, most of us don’t even have leisure time. It’s difficult to live in Newhaven for most people. It’s crowded. Jobs are hard to come by, and they are demanding. Many people live outside the walls and travel into the city to work. Having a look at a luxurious mansion is a nice change from the hardship.”

To me, the mansion would just remind me of what I would never have. Right now, however, I didn’t care either way.

“I didn’t mean to offend,” I told her. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” She didn’t smile.

I guess her offer to take me around the city was probably rescinded. That was fine with me.

Leon came up to join us. “So is it decided then?”

“Yes, but I have to take care of something with Reuben first,” I explained.

“How long?”

“Less than an hour.”

“I’ll be here. Aliana, what’s your mother’s name?”

Aliana eyed him suspiciously. “Gwen,” she said hesitantly.

“God, what’s with that look?”

“I’m just…defensive about her a bit, I guess. You will be kind, right? Kinder than you are to the rest of us?”

“Why? Is she a cripple or something?”

“See, that’s what I’m worried about! Both my mother and I have dealt with enough rude men in our lives. I don’t want you coming in and getting her flustered.”

“I will be a gentleman, as I always am to people who have not pissed me off.”

“Maybe I should go with the two of you.”

“And waste your time? Forget that. You need to train.”

“All I do is train!”

“And look how much you’ve improved because of that.”

I wondered if I was the only one who wished I had even more time to train. Michael, and now Aliana, seemed desperate for a break that extended longer than a meal.

“You’re staying here,” Leon concluded. “Jon, go finish whatever you need to do, but be quick.”

I hurried off. I wondered if I should take a concealed dagger. I wasn’t concerned about Red; but Cason? Was he bold enough to confront me in broad daylight? I feared news of my healed ankle had reached him. He might figure out I was the one who had healed it, and he wouldn’t let me go next time.

*****

Reuben turned many heads on our way to the tavern, and there were a few different reactions. The people who seemed surprised by Reuben’s silk cloak and gold rings stared the longest. Those who appeared less surprised cast their gaze downward. But it was the curious ones I found most entertaining. Their gazes bounced to me for a moment, and they always showed confusion, probably because of the contrast between Reuben and me.

I no longer wore the clothes of a common worker. I had wisely used the coin I’d earned to upgrade my robes to a level of decency that I felt comfortable donning around the city. It was in no way a display of wealth, but I was certainly not poor, either. I couldn’t guess what they thought my relationship was with this rich young man at my side, but it certainly didn’t look right. It reminded me of the first time I’d met Reuben, when he’d told me to walk behind him so as not to embarrass him, and I had refused. I was a little worried he might mention it again, but thankfully that side of him had toned down ever since I’d saved his life.

Reuben, to some, probably looked like a fool wanting to be robbed. To others, his display of arrogance did not demonstrate stupidity but supreme power. I figured Red would see Reuben as the latter. And if he didn’t, well, there were plenty of things we could do to jolt him in the right direction without getting in trouble for it. We were sorcerers of the king, after all. It was about time we started taking advantage of our standing.

As we traveled farther from the castle and deeper down streets where wealth was a rare sighting, we started to attract the attention of children. First, there were two kids who began trailing us. A third joined soon after, then two more to make five. One was called away by his mother, but two girls took the little boy’s place.

Then a drunken fool headed right toward Reuben. “Ey, ya un grab battler rick a ring, rich boy.”

I had no idea what he’d said, but he seemed too drunk to be dangerous.

Coming toward us from the other direction, the drunk had to stop and turn around to stay with us as we passed. Well, he tried, but he fell over and some of the children laughed. Another referred to him as grandpa and helped him up.

This was starting to become a little sad, but there was no other route to the tavern.

Reuben and I marched onward, and eventually the children let us go. Reuben had a look on his face as if no one else existed except the man we would soon confront. I didn’t want to break his trance, so I spoke no words.

When we arrived at the place, he started toward the door as if he might break it down. I was a little worried he might.

He pounded on it instead. “Open this door right now or you will