The Rebellion by Isobelle Carmody Read Free Book Online

in case news of the incident at Guanette had spread to Sutrium.
    With a mental apology to Gahltha, I pulled the reins tight. They did not drag at his mouth, being a modified bridle that only looked as if it would control and direct a horse. The old bit and bridle were anathema to human and beast alike at Obernewtyn, but even so, I wondered if it would not havebeen wiser to use it on expeditions that would take us into the heart of Council territory, where spies would be watching for any deviations.
    Well, it was too late now.
    To my relief, there was a crowd at the gate; traders and farmers and the odd green-clad jack returning after a day’s work trading outside the city. The number of people lined up to show papers would mean a longish wait but less individual attention.
    Approaching the end of the line, we fell in quietly behind the rest, ignoring cheeky signals from a cluster of children. Such a reception was so common for gypsies that we would have stood out if we had reacted to it.
    For the most part, the people about us were grim-faced and sour-looking, and many bore the ugly marks of plague survivors. There was no chatter or end-of-day banter, only a brooding silence. People did not look into one another’s eyes, and the few words spoken were punctuated with wary, sliding glances.
    It was a timely reminder that Sutrium was a dangerous city, filled with a treachery that must not be underestimated. The main thing was to get past the gate without any sort of fuss that would draw attention to us.
    I looked up at the dark clouds, willing the storm to break. The soldierguards would scarcely glance at us if it was pouring rain on their heads.
    Jaygar’s mental voice speared into my mind without warning. “I will kill/trample funaga-li!”
    As if suddenly mad, the horse began to push his way through people in front of us, dragging in his wake the wagon containing the unconscious gypsy, Maruman, and a helpless Matthew.

5
    I SENT OUT a coercive mental bolt, forcing Jaygar to a halt. Then I looked around frantically, trying to see what had provoked the normally placid equine to such a dangerous outburst.
    I did not need to look far.
    My own fury swelled at the sight of a small mare ahead of us trembling under the weight of a load of wood. But what made my blood boil and what had surely incensed Jaygar, was the sight of a fat youth sitting on top of the load, unconcernedly eating a bun.
    Even as I watched, the mare staggered sideways under the weight of her burden, and the lout cursed her unsteadiness, whacking her with casual cruelty over the head.
    “Release me!” Jaygar raged. “You have no right.”
    I did not loosen my mental hold. “I have the right to restrain any beast/funaga who endangers the rest,” I sent, quoting from the expedition charter Rushton had made us draw up over long guildmerge sessions. Jaygar knew as well as I did that Avra had approved it on behalf of the Beastguild. “Now will you obey/calm?”
    The horse snorted angrily. “You would risk us/all for an unknown funaga but not for this beast?”
    “Risk comes from acting in thoughtless haste,” I gritted. “Iwill help the beast my own way. Now, will you obey, or must I waste more time in arguing with you?”
    Chastened, Jaygar agreed, and I asked Gahltha to come up beside the mare. To my astonishment, he refused.
    “I will not let you endanger yourself,” he sent. “This equine is one alone, and your life’s purpose will save/help many more than one life.”
    “She is your kind,” I sent. “Surely you don’t set my life above hers?”
    “Protect Innle before/above all,” Gahltha sent.
    “Is that what Atthis told you?” I fumed. “Well, I am not Atthis’s servant/slave. I won’t spend my whole life waiting to perform a single deed, Gahltha. Not for you, nor for Atthis. I will do what I can now, because tomorrow might never come. Now take me up beside the mare, or I will get down and walk!”
    After a long moment, Gahltha moved