The Legend Thief

by The Legend Thief (mobi)

  Sky climbed to his feet and yanked at the sword, struggling to pull it from the floor before Morton saw what he'd done. "The blade only responds to its owner," said Morton, shoving Sky to the side and drawing the blade from the floor with case. As soon as he touched it, the blade stirred to life, shimmering brightly. "This one is mine." Sky backed away warily.

  Morton pressed the silver pommel and the crosspiece col­ lapsed, folding down until the blade disappeared and Morton was left with his cane. "Unfortunately, the one I need to find belonged to Alexander Drake."

  "I don't know where it is," Sky insisted. "The coffin was empty."

  Morton stared at him intently. After a moment he pursed his lips and nodded in a satisfied sort of way. "I believe you."

  Morton spun on his heels and headed for the door. "Your education starts in one hour at the grounds north of Arkhon Academy. We have much to do before Bedlam's army arrives, including finding that blade! I've invited your friends-don't be late!"

  Chapter 13: The Finger of Erachnus

  Sky, T-Bone, and Hands walked onto Arkhon Academy's old hunter training grounds. Andrew had shown up early and opted to stay with Crystal and Cassat the manor rather than answer Morton's summons, a you're-not-the-boss-of-me mow if Sky ever saw one. T-Bone and Hands had nearly stayed as well, but ultimately decided to go with Sky for moral support and to pound anyone who got too close to him.

  The grounds were hidden in the woods and hills north of Arkhon Academy near the Sleeping Lands. Despite its close proximity, they'd never traveled here before, though they had spied on the hunters from a distance once or twice.

  Broken bleachers sat around open spaces for sparring, and precut material for traps were scattered around foreign trees, bodies of quicksand and strange liquids, and all kinds of pits. A few areas had been cordoned off and were covered with signs warning of danger and traps-obstacle courses, Sky supposed.

  But by and large the most obvious feature was a gigantic smooth black stone that curled from the earth like a finger and stretched four stories high in the middle of the main field.

  Malvidia had shut down Arkhon Academy's hunter school after the death and loss of the majority of Exile's hunters during Solomon's attack twelve years ago. But last year, when dozens of hunters had emerged from the prison, Malvidia had reopened pieces of the hunter school, including the grounds, during a grand ceremony.

  Sky and his friends had not been invited.

  As they approached the main bleachers where the hunters had gathered, an eerie silence descended. The hunters­ grim men and women of all ages, from young teens to decrepit adults-stopped what they were doing and watched them pass. The hunters were covered in bruises, cuts, and scrapes from Sky's traps, and nearly all had pale, sickly green skin from the Bolger venom.

  Sky took them all in, refusing to look away from these people who had tried to kill him.

  He spotted a few familiar faces. Crenshaw was there, of course, his skin a deeper green than the others', as he'd waited longer to get the cure. T-Bone's massive younger brother and bitter rival, Ren, stood next to Crenshaw, pointedly ignoring T-Bone. Sky and Ren weren't really friends, but they weren't enemies, either, and Sky was glad to see that Ren's skin wasn't green, which likely meant that he hadn't joined in the hunt.

  Sky recognized several Exile hunters they had saved from Solomon's prison last year. These hunters gave him warm smiles and almost friendly nods. Like Ren, none had green skin or cuts, nor did most of Exile's hunters. Maybe they had refused to kill him, or maybe they simply hadn't known about the hunt. Either way, Sky could clearly see that they were a minority, vastly outnumbered by Morton's hunters.

  Sky spotted Malvidia's apprentices, Lazar and Lucretia , normal-colored and watching him closely, and the rest of Crenshaw's former Shadow Warg pack-Alexis (green-skinned) and Cordelia and Marcus (normal-skinned). Marcus avoided eye contact, while Cordelia gave him a big smile and crossed to join them in their lonely walk.

  Cordelia had changed over the last year, introducing smidgens of color to her normally black outfits, and smiling on occasion. Her long, straight hair was fiery red-accentuating her milky skin-and pulled back in a ponytail. Like many of the hunters, she wore a long coat filled with hidden pockets for storing weapons, botanical supplies, and other sundries. A belt hung across her chest, with a number of finger-length throwing knives sticking out and an actual sword and sheath hanging from the end by her hip.

  "Exciting, isn't it?" said Cordelia, pushing T-Bone aside and falling into step beside Sky.

  T-Bone and Hands raised their eyebrows questioningly, but he ignored them.

  "Exciting?" Sky replied. "You’ve got a target on my chest."

  He glanced back and saw Crenshaw-who had a one-way crush on Cordelia-scowling.

  "A target could only improve that sweatshirt you're wearing," Cordelia quipped.

  "It's a hoo-" Sky glanced over and found her smiling. It was the kind of smile he'd seen girls give to other boys, but he'd never expected to see one directed at him.

  "-hoodie," he finished lamely. The smile caught him off guard and all he could manage was a weak lip curl in return.

  Hands cleared his throat and Sky tore his eyes away from Cordelia. They'd reached the towering curved black stone. Morton stood at the base of the stone, staring up at it with Chase Shroud, Hagos Adera, and Solange Avaray-the four of them locked in whispered conversation.

  Apparently taking Sky's arrival as a signal, the hunters closed in and formed a circle around Sky, Hands, T-Bone, and Cordelia, with the huge stone at the center.

  Sky glanced around, knowing he was trapped but doing his best not to act like it. If Morton wanted to toy with him and humiliate him, he was welcome to it. Sky's only concern was for Exile.

  A low murmur arose from the hundreds of gathered hunters as they engaged in whispered conversations. He noted that most of the Exile hunters were huddled in a small group directly behind him. Where Morton's hunters were talking, Malvidia's hunters were silent. Their hands hovered near their weapons and their expressions were strangely determined.

  Finally Morton ended his whispered conversation with Chase, Hagos, and Solange and turned to face them.

  Chase winked at Sky, but Sky ignored him. Whatever game Chase was playing, Sky didn't want to be a part of it.

  A hush fell on the hunters as Morton inspected them. His eyes took in Sky, T-Bone, Hands, and Cordelia, and then swept past. He walked around the circle, staring down his hunters.

  "You. Are. Stupid," Morton stated. He paused and came to a stop near Sky, but his eyes remained locked on his hunters. Sky thought Morton was done and that the speech might just be the worst he had ever heard, but Morton started up again.

  "Last night," Morton barked, "this group of untrained children bested you." Morton gestured vaguely at Sky, T-Bone, and Hands. "And this boy"-Morton pointed at Sky-"humiliated you."

  "Hunters are only as good as the hand that guides them, I always say." The Exile hunters parted and a man Sky had never seen before strode through. He was unusually thin, with a narrow face, big ears, and a sharp nose. He wore a battered trench coat and slacks, with a bullwhip looped through his belt, and he was covered in dirt from head to toe.

  Behind the man, Sky saw Malvidia, Beau, and-most surprising of all-Dad. T-Bone's mother, a huge Polynesian woman, was also there, along with Hands’ grandfather, Osmer, whom Sky had met at the nursing home a few times.

  Before the circle closed, Sky saw Nikola, his mad child­ hood protector, walking alone and unseen in the dawn shadows of the distant trees to the west, heading into the Sleeping Lands. He carried a checkered blanket, like the one he'd had the night before, and a small picnic basket on his arm. Sky's heart lurched painfully at the sad sight, and then the circle closed and Nikola disappeared from view.

  Sky glanced at Dad, who gave him a warm smile before turning his attention back to Morton.

  Rather than feeling comforted, Sky's general unease sky­rocketed into full-blow
n panic. Morton wanted to humiliate him, to make him suffer, and Sky was willing to endure it for the sake of Exile, for his family and friends, but he knew Dad would never allow it; he'd never just stand by and watch Sky suffer, even if it meant saving himself and all of Exile.

  The dirt-covered man strolled toward the black stone, looking up at it, his back to Morton. "That's a mighty large finger," the man muttered appreciatively, his accent British and as thick as Morton's. "After all this time, I'd nearly forgotten how enormous Erachnus was."

  Sky looked around for a giant finger, and then realized that the man was talking about the black stone. Sky stared up at it.

  Erachnus?

  "Winston Snavely," Morton sneered. "What on earth are you doing here?"

  Winston spun around to face Morton. "I heard there was a surprise party and thought I'd drop in for cake-lemon, I hope." "The party is over, I'm afraid," Morton replied, sounding annoyed.

  Winston shook his head sadly. "More's the pity. Though from what I understand, Sky threw the party, and the surprise was yours. Or perhaps the surprise is still on its way?"

  "If you're implying that I mean to harm the boy after giving my word and taking him as my apprentice, then the surprise is yours," Morton stated. "Or perhaps you've come to inform me that Bedlam is loose and his army marching here as we speak?

  I assure you, I'm well aware. The other Hunters of Legend have given me full leave to handle the Exile situation."

  "So I've been given to understand," Winston said evenly. "Though decisions made in darkened rooms with a minority of fellows are hardly binding."

  "Binding enough," Morton snapped. "Though you're welcome to challenge the decision if you can find a majority ... unless, of course, you’re proposing to resolve this another way?” Morton raised his eyebrows questioningly and Sky saw his hand tighten around the pommel of his cane.

  Winston grinned and held up his hands in a gesture of peace, steering clear of his bullwhip. "Perhaps another time . .. I'm simply here for the party."

  "Ah, yes! There's the Winston I remember!" Morton laughed derisively. "Cowardly as ever."

  Winston frowned deeply. There was a flash of anger and Sky thought Winston might attack. But the anger disappeared so quickly, Sky wondered if he'd seen it at all.

  "Quite," Winston mumbled, adding more loudly. "Let's get this party started, shall we?"

  "A fine idea, Winston," Morton agreed, "the first I've heard all day. Since Malvidia has evidently persuaded you to represent Exile's interests among the thirteen, why don't we start with a friendly wager: Exile's finest young hunter"-he gestured at Sky-"versus our finest young hunter"- he waved at Chase, who grinned, obviously relishing the idea.

  Winston looked skeptical. "I suppose ..."

  Chase's smile broadened and he sauntered closer, drawing a shiny silver sword from a hidden sheath. Sky blanched , then tensed as he saw Dad and Beau reaching into their coats.

  Fortunately, Sky had anticipated just this sort of thing. He strode forward and put himself within Morton's reach, ensuring that Dad and Beau couldn't do anything to save him if fighting started, and thus removing the reason for the fight. Frustration cracked Dad's ever-smiling face and Beau gave Sky a crooked grin. Sky had just trapped them, and they both clearly knew it.

  Winston examined Sky, Dad, and Bea u, apparently noticing the silent exchange. He gave Sky an approving nod before addressing Morton and Chase.

  "Perhaps we should start with something a little less pointy," Winston proposed, gesturing at Chase's shiny sword.

  "Might I suggest wooden swords?"

  "Oh, come now, Winston," Morton chided, "we use real swords at the Academy."

  "And we kill real creatures with them, and sometimes not the ones we intend," Winston retorted. "Malvidia and her hunters have already entertained this whimsical farce long enough by practicing when they-and we-should be hunting Bedlam and preparing for his army. Let's not add to the discourtesy by detracting from their numbers."

  Morton sighed dramatically. "Very well, then," he growled, "if you wish to coddle the boy, wooden swords it is."

  Chase put his silver blade away with an indifferent shrug, and a hunter stepped forward and handed Sky and Chase wooden practice swords.

  "Anything else we can get for you, Your Highness?" Morton sneered condescendingly. "A warm glass of milk, perhaps?" Several of the hunters snickered.

  "If you have one, I wouldn't say no," Sky retorted. Morton's smile tightened, and Sky kicked himself for not holding his tongue. Trying to appear braver than he felt, Sky walked over to Chase and held the sword out in front of him. He'd never held a sword in his life, not even a wooden one.

  Chase bowed to him and Sky gave a halfhearted twirl of the hand. "Can we just get on with this?"

  Chase grinned, dropped into a stance, and motioned for Sky to attack.

  With an exasperated sigh, Sky swung at Chase. Chase flicked his sword away, barely moving. Sky feigned right and then lunged. Chase sidestepped, thrust Sky past with his elbow, and then swatted him on the rump as he fell.

  The hunters laughed and Chase took a bow, soaking up their adoration.

  Sky climbed to his feet and dusted himself off. Then he likewise took a bow. T-Bone and Hands whooped it up, cheering, and Chase laughed, but the other hunters went silent, suddenly realizing he was mocking them. As the laughter died , Sky berated himself yet again: He needed allies, not enemies, but he kept making things worse.

  Sky attacked and Chase parried. Then, wanting to put on a good show for his audience, Sky attacked wildly. Swing. Thrust. Hack. Dive. Hack. Roll. Hack, hack, hack. He knew it was a stupid way to fight, but he wasn't trying to win.

  Chase parried everything and then stepped to the side and swatted Sky across the arm. Sky rolled past Chase's next swing, coming up behind him.

  Sky swung. Chase stepped to the side.

  Then Chase let loose with a series of blows that left Sky reeling. Chase gave him one final smack and Sky fell hard.

  "Well, that was entertaining," Chase observed, staring down at Sky.

  Morton's hunters cheered.

  "Come now, Chase," Morton chortled, "it appears our 'farce,' as Winston put it, is over. There's no need to humiliate the boy. We'll have plenty of time for that later." Morton's hunters laughed and cheered some more. Chase offered Sky his hand and Sky took it.

  "No hard feelings?" said Chase, sounding sincere.

  Sky leaned forward so that Chase could hear him over the cheering. "I know you put the monocle in my pocket-where did you get it?"

  ''I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about," Chase replied. He turned and walked away to join Morton and his hunters in their celebration and mockery.

  Sky threw down his sword. He was tempted to take another how-he'd just put on a wicked show, after all-but this time he stopped himself before he messed up his advantage.

  Winston appeared, along with a worried-looking Dad, several smiling friends, and a small gathering of grim-faced hunters from Exile. Winston looked him over. "We'll have to work on your swordplay, I suppose."

  And they did. For the next two hours Winston, Dad, Beau, and a few of the other Exile hunters drilled him over and over again. Even Hands and T-Bone joined in. They seemed so sincere in their efforts that Sky didn't have the heart to tell them he'd thrown the fight. He might have lost anyway-probably would have-but he hadn't even tried to win. He'd fought for al1 different reason entirely.

  In a matter of seconds he'd moved from public enemy number one to a weak boy hardly worth noticing. For the moment, at least, he'd earned a breather from the hunters. Now he could turn his attention to more important things, like finding Alexander's blade and stopping Bedlam.

  He'd come here to lose, and that's precisely what he'd done, and by losing he'd won.

  Chapter 14: A Spy Among Us

  The office door hung from a single hinge, like a loose tooth waiting for a strong belch. Warily, Sky crept into the room, watching the shadows. Bit
s of wood from the doorframe littered the floor immediately around the door and , farther in, Sky saw toppled bookshelves, broken furniture, and holes in the walls-artwork hanging askew or tossed upon the floor. Black, white, and gray Piebald feathers were scattered everywhere and bits of Marrowick wax clung to shattered glass fragments of the window.

  "Miss Terry," Sky whispered, using Ursula's "school" name.

  "Are you here?"

  He pulled out the note he'd gotten from Fred and double-checked it to make sure he wasn't missing anything.

  BEING WATCHED. MEET IN MISS TERRY’S OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU.

  That was it. Nothing else.

  Sky stepped gingerly around the scattered books and papers. He lifted the corner of a bookshelf, peering underneath to make sure she wasn't buried. Had Ursula been in here when this had happened?