The Shadow of Malabron by Thomas Wharton Read Free Book Online Page A

My mother was a knight-errant, and I’m going to be one, too. Though my grandfather isn’t happy about it.”
    “So they teach you to become a warrior or something?”
    Rowen considered this for a moment.
    “You’ve heard of the Knights of the Round Table, haven’t you?”
    “Yes.”
    “The Errantry is something like that. In fact, when Arthur Pendragon stayed in Fable for a while he drew up the code of rules that the Errantry still follows.”
    “Wait. You mean
King
Arthur?”
    “Of course. Who else? After his last battle he came back to the Realm to be healed. I thought that story was well-known where you come from.”
    “I suppose so, but I didn’t think … I mean, he’s not real.”
    Rowen stared at him, then turned away and raised her hand.
    “Here we are,” she said.
    Will thought Rowen meant the door in the wall, but then he saw she was pointing to a narrow, curving lane that opened off the main street. They followed it to its end, passing several shops on the way. Will saw signs for a shoemaker, a bookseller, an apothecary (whatever that was) and a tailor. At the end of the lane stood a strange building, a tall terraced house, somewhat like those Will had already seen, but narrower and faced with dark green and grey masonry. Arched, shuttered windows climbed in a curious zizzag pattern to an ornate turreted roof. The house leaned slightly into the street and was so crooked-looking that it seemed only to be standing thanks to the two stockier buildings that flanked it.
    Rowen went up to the front door. She spoke a hushed word and a moment later it opened.
    “After you,” she said.
    Inside, Will found himself in a long hall that seemed brilliantly lit after the long walk though the dim streets. Once his eyes had adjusted to the blaze of the overhead lamps, he saw two things that struck him. First was that the house seemed larger on the inside, wider and more spacious, than it had from outside. And second were the toys.
    There were toys everywhere. Colourful marionettes and life-like birds hung from the ceiling. The shelves lining the hall were crowded with miniature animals of every description, including strange creatures Will had never seen before, as well as tops and whirligigs, boats, intricate little dolls’ houses and castles, chess sets, hoops and balls, marbles, and various odd, unknown contraptions made of wood, metal, wire and string.
    “This is how Grandfather earns his living,” Rowen said, “but he’s also a master of lore. He knows more stories than anyone in Fable.”
    At the far end of the hall rose a winding staircase. When Rowen reached it and bounded up the first few steps, she nearly collided with a tiny, apple-cheeked woman in an apron who was coming down. The woman shrieked and the stack of folded linen she had been carrying flew up and scattered over the stairs.
    “Rowen!” the woman gasped, sitting down on the step and pressing a hand to her bosom. “You’ll send me to my deathbed someday, child.”
    “I didn’t think you’d be up, Edweth,” Rowen mumbled.
    “Waiting for you to get home, as always,” Edweth said sternly.
    “I’m sorry, but I need to see Grandfather right away.”
    “Who has been greatly worried about you, young lady, going off by yourself like that.”
    The woman glanced sideways at Will as she proceeded to gather up the scattered linen. Rowen hurried to help her.
    “Filthy!” Edweth gasped, batting Rowen’s hand away.
    “This is Will Lightfoot,” Rowen said. “He needs Grandfather’s help.”
    “Well,” the woman said with a curt nod at Will, “the master is not here at the moment and who knows when he’ll be back. He’s gone to an emergency meeting of the Council. Something has all the wise and mighty in a flap.”
    “I must find him,” Rowen said. “I have important news. Can Will stay here while I’m gone? He’s come from … from far away.”
    Edweth now took a long, hard look at Will. He felt himself turn scarlet.
    “I