Brothers to Dragons

Brothers to Dragons by Charles Sheffield Read Free Book Online

Book: Brothers to Dragons by Charles Sheffield Read Free Book Online
Authors: Charles Sheffield
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, Bible
opened his eyes to winter sunlight slanting in through the narrow window, and was convinced that he had missed breakfast. Then he remembered: Cloak House was far away.
    He needed to go to the bathroom, but he was afraid to venture out of the room. There was no reason for people here to let him stay, they would turn him out onto the street. Except that there seemed to be no one in the building. This late in the morning Cloak House was bustling, with work details on every floor. Here it was totally quiet.
    Job made his bed, found and used a toilet, and crept downstairs. Not until he arrived at the kitchen did he find any signs of life. Professor Buckler was sitting at one of the tables. He was alone. The morning sunlight showed every wrinkle. His jaw was withered and sunken, his hands shook, and his skin looked gray. He was sipping from a tumbler filled with clear brown liquid.
    "Ah," he said wheezily, at Job's arrival. He pointed to a seat, and did not speak again until the glass was empty.
    "Now," he said. His color was a touch better. "Last night I thought it better to postpone certain formalities. But it is time for them now. We know your name, and little else. You ran away from home—but what home did you run away from ?"
    Job was not sure he understood the question. Professor Buckler's voice was different, the words from his sunken mouth not so clear.
    "I mean," said the professor after a few more seconds, "where did you live until last night? I know you did not survive on the streets."
    "I lived at Cloak House."
    "I have heard of it. Do you wish to return?"
    Job thought of Colonel della Porta, and of Laga's silent face. "No, sir."
    "I hear no hesitation there. And it seems unlikely that they will seek you out. However, to assure Miss Magnolia's peace of mind I must explore the circumstances of your departure horn Cloak House. We would not welcome a formal search. And while I am doing that . . ." He paused, and went silent for a minute or two.
    "I need someone to collect a package for me. How well do you know this region of the city?"
    "Not well, sir. But I do know the part around Cloak House. I went outside every week. And I can read. I could find my way anywhere, if you tell me the names of streets."
    "Excellent. And by the time that you return there will be breakfast ready." He saw Job's surprise. "We maintain rather a late household. It is the nature of our work. Here." He took Job's arm and drew him to his side. On a five-inch square of paper on the tabletop he sketched in a network of roads and names. "Follow the way that I have marked. You will know the house, it has a red door and black painted lions on the railing. Knock on the door, and wait. Be patient. If no one answers in ten minutes, simply return here, to Bracewell Mansion. If someone does answer, tell them, Supplies for the Professor. Got that? Supplies, for the professor. That's all. They shouldn't ask questions, and if they do, don't answer them. Don't talk to anyone on the street. Come straight back here with what they give you. Stick it inside your shirt." Professor Buckler stared seriously at Job. "You know, I told Miss Magnolia last night that I believe that you are an unusually responsible and reliable boy. She is skeptical. Do not betray my trust."
    "No, sir."
    Job went down to the one open door and out onto the street. By day, the spooky wide avenues and gnarled tree stumps were not scary at all. It was colder than last night, but unusually warm for the end of the year. Before he had gone a hundred yards he was beginning to enjoy himself. He didn't know this part of the city, but he was quite at home in it. He knew no one by name, but here were the same sort of vendors of street food and street goods that he had seen for years. It was a temptation to join in their calling back and forth, to share in the cheerful insults and the swapping of gossip.
    He kept his mind on his job, and moved on steadily through the winter sunshine. The house when he

Similar Books

Shadow of the Past

Thacher Cleveland

A Warlord's Lady

Nicola E. Sheridan

Land of Marvels

Barry Unsworth

Tending Their SECRET

Crystal Perkins

Hannibal Rising

Jon Sharpe

Where Azaleas Bloom

Sherryl Woods