Fantasy of Flight by Kelly St. Clare Read Free Book Online

my way back to The Slime.
    I wrench open the broken door. It bangs on the wall and bounces back. A bald giant glowers at me from where he’s pouring alcohol. I peer through the dusty clutter. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle as I feel the stares of people lurking in the building’s shadows. I spot Shard’s dark blond head and hurry to his table.
    “Had a look around?” he asks as I sit opposite him.
    I nod. I’m pleased to feel like a friendship is beginning between us, too. I doubt I can have too many of those out here. Perhaps he sees my morning has not gone as planned, because he gives me an amused look and gulps another mouthful. I don’t know how he can drink after yesterday.
    I hesitate and decide to tell him part of what I’ve been doing. “People aren’t in the…answering mood today.”
    Shard smiles as he swirls his drink. “You know the best thing about the Outer Rings?”
    I shake my head as he tosses back the drink and slams the simple looking goblet on the table.
    “People are usually in the ‘getting richer’ mood.”
    I follow him to the compound. I’ve taken this path several times now. I’m fairly confident I’ll be able to find my way back to the whore’s courtyard by myself. Shard’s hint was loud and clear. I think of all the coin I stole from those men. Next time I’ll bring money with me. I’m smiling by the time we get back, determination renewed.
     
    I’ve settled into an uneasy routine. Uneasy because I don’t get anywhere with my questioning. Shard was right about using the coin. It makes them listen, but it’s like there’s some kind of code against answering. Or maybe they can smell when someone isn’t from here. I can certainly smell when they are . I’m starting to get sick of everyone assuming I’m around “for a tumble”, as they so eloquently put it. I judge I have about half a day left until my moral code breaks and I begin using my fists to get results. I’m not on Osolis and I’m not in the castle. There’s a whole different set of rules in the Outer Rings and I’m going to start playing by them.
    Then there’s the veil, though I’m not so worried about this. On Osolis, there are fabric shops in the villages. But there was a royal seamstress who made all of my robes. I’m sure she always hated me because of the dull colors I wore to blend in. Here, I haven’t seen anything to help me. No fabric, no clothing shops. Nothing. Maybe I’ll have to search the Middle Rings. The material had to be just right; thick enough to hide my features, but thin enough to allow some visibility in daylight. Malir once brought me a fur coat from a shop so I knew they existed.
    Shard interrupts my thoughts.
    “Wrath had you pinned last time and I know you got out in the end, but there’s an easier way.” He grunts as he goes through a defensive sequence I’ve just shown him. The last fight against one of Tricks’ men, Wrath, was the hardest I’d had. He wasn’t nasty and snide like the other fighters I usually faced. Afterward, he came to shake hands, much to the amusement of Hale’s bench.  I actually enjoyed the round.
    “You going to share your wisdom, or is it a secret?” I ask, pushing weights above my head. Training is becoming more intense as our success continues. Alzona can see the coin and is determined to get it. I suppose the boost in morale has made everyone automatically work a little harder. Except for Ice, who still doesn’t break a sweat. How he’s survived this long in the pits, I don’t know.
    Shard chuckles. “Guess I’ll show you. I pity you because you were so easy to beat last time.”
    “Whatever. You barely won.” I say.
    He stops his sequence and shrugs. “One thing always lets you down,” he says and waves at Blizzard and Flurry to come over.
    “What? What is it?” I can’t think of anything obvious. I’ve entered the pit five more times in various sectors since my first fight, winning every match – though with