The White Wolf (Half-Breed Book 1) by Brittany Comeaux Read Free Book Online Page A

Varg answered. “Milea and I are in a bit of a fix and we need to gather information to get us out.”
    “Oh? What kind of fix?” Horatius asked.
    “We've been falsely accused of a crime and we need to clear our names,” Milea answered.
    “What kind of crime?” the old man asked.
    Varg downed a big gulp of mead and answered, “Murder.”
    Horatius howled with laughter and slapped his hands on the counter, then answered, “You, Varg, accused of murder? Ridiculous!”
    Varg suffered a small laugh, then continued, “Anyway, I found this scrap of paper that somehow ties into this whole mess. We were wondering if you might know what it is.”
    “Let's see it, lad,” Horatius said.
    Varg removed the folded parchment from his pocket and held it face up in front of Horatius, who accepted the paper and examined it.
    A second later, the color in the old man's face blanched and he urgently placed the paper face down. His breath quickened and grew heavy and sweat formed on his brow. “What are you doing waving this thing around?” He began to scan the room nervously while he ignored the questioning stares from Varg and Milea.
    “What's wrong, Horatius?” Milea asked.
    “Keep your voices down!” Horatius whispered. Then he shoved the paper towards Varg and added, “Put that away before anyone sees, now!”
    Varg returned the now crumpled scrap of paper to his pocket and asked, “Why are you so nervous, Horatius? What is this symbol?”
    “This mark represents the nastiest bunch of criminals ever to hit Fellen,” Horatius whispered. “The criminals here can only wish to have the depravity and skill this bunch has.”
    “Who are they?” Milea asked.
    “I don't know what they call themselves, and frankly I don't want to know. Anytime they come around here, bad things happen soon after. There was a mass murder in a settlement north of here not long ago, and we saw them wearing their usual black hoods and whispering amongst each other the night before. We've got a saying here in Birhog, 'The quieter you are, the more you're hiding,'” Horatius explained.
    “Do you know when they will be around again?” Varg asked.
    Horatius gave him a judging glance, then, “I never met anyone who wanted to talk to them. Everyone always stays out of their business. If these men are involved with the crime you've been framed for, then you'd better just get out of Fellen and never come back.”
    “And never taste your mead again?” Varg mused.
    “This is serious, Varg. These folk are not to be taken lightly,” Horatius warned.
    Varg shook his head and leaned towards the old man. “Horatius, I understand these people are bad news, but we need to find them. Can't you help us, old friend?”
    The old man sighed and bowed his head. “If you insist on getting more involved in this, then perhaps I can offer you more information. Meet me back here tonight after I close the pub and I will tell you everything I know. Come in through the back so no one sees you.”
    Varg leaned back and smiled. “Thanks, Horatius. I knew we could count on you.”
    The old man simply responded, “Aye.” He then continued his work and left Milea and Varg to finish their drinks.
     
    Varg usually had more drinks before retiring for the night, but with the events in Rivershire and Horatius's mysterious behavior, he figured he should slow down so he'd be alert enough to hear what the old man had to say. He downed his free drink with ease, but only paid for one more pint before he and Milea thanked Horatius once more and left Moonlighter's Manor to check into the village inn.
    The town inn was one door over from the tavern and the front door opened to a small entryway where the innkeeper stood at a counter. Varg offered the portly man their room fare for the night, at which point he led them up a small set of stairs, through a hallway, and up to a wooden door. The innkeeper opened the door and led Varg and Milea inside the cozy room. With a quick smile and