Dragonborn by Toby Forward Read Free Book Online Page A

used to these paths, even now grasp knives and clubs, ready to make away with him? His back pressed against the broad trunk of a beech, Sam stared into the darkness.
    What was the use of magic, if you couldn’t use it? He grabbed a handful of the forest floor, leaves and dust, twigs and small stones,beech husks and old nuts. Flicking his arm, he tossed it into the air, and as it rose and sprayed out, every tiny part of it glowed silver, like stardust, lighting the small clearing just long enough for Sam to see around him, to reassure himself he was alone.
    But he wasn’t.
    Caleb undid the sealing spell on the desk.
    â€œIt doesn’t feel right,” said Eloise. “I never once looked in here when I was Flaxfield’s apprentice.”
    â€œHe wasn’t dead then,” said Caleb, over his shoulder.
    Sandage stayed at the kitchen table, running his finger around the rim of his glass.
    Khazib watched Caleb closely. “That’s not an indenture,” he said.
    â€œBut it might be important.”
    â€œIt’s in Flaxfield’s desk,” said Axestone, “so it is important. But it’s nothing to do with us. Put it down.”
    Caleb’s fingers left the papers slowly, his eyes remaining on them longer.
    â€œHere,” said Khazib, leaning across the brocade jacket. He lifted a sheaf of folded parchment, tied with a black ribbon.
    As the sparkling debris fell to the ground, Sam kept his eyes on the spot where he had seen the small figure staring at him. He had never seen a roffle before, but he had heard Flaxfield talk of them and had seen pictures in the books. In the half-light of thespell it was hard to be certain that the man was dressed all in greens and browns, but the strange, twisted hat, the pointy shoes, the bag shaped like a flat barrel, and most of all, the perfect, halfsized figure, all made it clear that this was a roffle. Sam kept his back to the trunk of the tree, crossed his legs at the ankles, and bit his lip. He had used magic for his own comfort, and here, immediately, was a roffle. It had to be a bad thing. It had to be instant revenge for his disobedience.
    â€œStarback,” he called, softly.
    The dragon had disappeared, far up the road, perhaps.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    The roffle’s voice was deeper than Sam had imagined.
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, nothing? I know a nothing. Starback’s a something. What’s a Starback?”
    The roffle moved toward Sam, his pointy shoes picking up leaves and breaking twigs.
    Khazib untied the ribbon. The folded parchments tumbled onto the glowing oak of the table.
    â€œHere’s mine,” said Caleb.
    â€œMine, too.” Eloise took hers.
    One by one, each found his or her indenture, signed by Flaxfield in his strong hand, and then by them, in a childish hand, very different from the accomplished script each used now.
    â€œIt’s as though I’m six again,” said Eloise.
    Sandage held his, turned it over and over in his dark hands, spotted with brown marks of age. He had been six once.
    â€œNothing for that boy,” said Caleb. “I knew it.”
    Axestone, who had been holding his breath, sighed deeply.
    â€œWe’ll make him fast when he comes back,” said Caleb, “and take him first thing tomorrow to the mines. Get him lodgings and a job.”
    â€œHe’ll never survive,” said Eloise. “Not after living here, with Flaxfield.”
    â€œThey start them in the mines at twelve. He’ll survive. Some old woman, glad of the money, will lodge him. Plenty of poor widows where the mines are.”
    Sandage pondered the reason why there were so many widows, and nodded. “There will be better work than that for him,” he said.
    â€œHe’s too old to go apprentice to any other trade,” said Khazib.
    â€œAnd too dangerous,” said Caleb, “after what he’s seen here. Who knows what Flaxfield let