Call of Sunteri (Keepers of the Wellsprings Book 2) by Missy Sheldrake Read Free Book Online

streak past and throw my cloak over my shoulders. She’s used to children clambering around the kitchens, sneaking food. She doesn’t think twice about it. I don’t take anything, though. I just skid out into the alley and close the door quietly behind me. Outside, everything is covered in a thick blanket of white. I’ve never seen snow before. Great fluffs of flakes fall from the sky, swirling and floating and settling peacefully onto cushions of itself on the ground. I step down and it comes to my ankles, almost over the tops of my new boots. As enchanted as I am by the powdery soft snowflakes that cling to my cloak, I’m also aware of the problem it creates for me. Tracks. No one else has come down here. When the guards do, they’ll see my footsteps in no time. I scowl.
    “Just go.”
    Yes, just go. Just run. Quickly. I dart off into the alley. At first I don’t know where to go, but then it hits me. Saesa will go to Bren’s for Feat, I’m sure of it. I’ll go there. I’ll wait for her. Say goodbye. I glance behind me and see there are no footprints in the snow. As I run, I watch my feet. The snow pushes down and springs back up again as though untouched. A strange shimmer hovers over my boots. It reminds me of something. The air beside the Mage’s head in Nessa’s sitting room, maybe. The wind gusts around me and the snow is so thick that I can barely see the buildings on either side of the narrow cobbled road. I finally reach Bren’s and duck inside.
    Hopeful as ever, Bren leans to greet me as the bell rings. When he sees it’s me, I get his usual forced smile.
    “Master Tib,” he says. “You’re here early. And no Saesa?”
    “She’s coming,” I reply as I shake the already melting snow from my cloak. I try hard to seem calm, not like a boy being chased by city guards. I’m glad it’s cold so my shivering doesn’t seem suspicious. “She’s buying Feat today.”
    “Is that so?” He invites me to come around by the forge to warm and dry myself and then he goes out the back door and comes back in. Putters around the shop, arranging things. We talk some, but not much. I don’t know how to drive a conversation like Saesa does. When I begin to lose hope that she’s coming, the bell at the front door rings.
    “Ah, Miss Saesa,” Bren says with a hint of relief. “We were expecting you.”
    “We?” She rushes to the counter. Sees me. Gasps with relief, and then catches herself as she glances at Bren. She hides her surprise quickly with a laugh. “Tib, you were right!” She turns to Bren. “He said he could beat me here. He’s good at a foot race, even in the snow.” Bren grunts and smiles as he ducks beneath the counter to retrieve Feat.
    “Tib says it’s your big day,” he says as Saesa lovingly unwraps the sword. She nods her response. Her eyes are teary as she reaches into her pocket and pulls out the two gold pieces.
    “Well, well. Someone’s caught a windfall.” Bren takes the tally sheet from its pin as I come around the counter to Saesa’s side. He writes PIF across the marks. “Got enough there for a scabbard and belt, too, if you want ‘em,” he says to her.
    “What about a knife for Tib? He needs something,” she says with a worried glance at me.
    “Aye, I’ll throw that in,” Bren says.
    As the weapon smith strides around the tiny space collecting her items, Saesa moves closer to me. She’s holding back from saying anything at all to me, I can tell. Afraid she’ll give me away. Bren comes to her side and fits her belt. She slips the sword into its case and sniffles, grinning.
    “I can’t believe it’s mine,” she whispers.
    “And for you, Tib,” he says. He gives me a good knife. Nothing fancy or special. I’ve never had my own knife before, though. I feel a little taller as I thread it onto my belt. “Be careful with it. Both of you.”
    “Thank you!” Saesa cries and throws her arms around Bren, who pats her shoulder a little awkwardly.
    “Don’t