The Witch Watch by Shamus Young Read Free Book Online

these bloodhounds away. You’ll be free to escape.”
    Simon opened his mouth and closed it again, apparently stunned by the offer. “But surely they’ll run you down?”
    “Probably. But I don’t imagine you’ll be of much help to me if it comes to that. Better that one of us should escape, and you’re the one with the knowledge to help poor Sophie.”
    Simon seemed encouraged by this line of thought. He straightened himself up. “I don’t see how you can hope to lead them away. Surely you’ll be cut down the moment you set foot outside the church.”
    “Yes. I’ll need to find some other way of leaving this place.” Gilbert explored the building once again, hoping to find some detail he’d overlooked before. The windows were another possible exit, but then he considered the time it would take to smash one open. (Which was something he was reluctant to do; quite aside from the sacrilege, he adored stained glass windows.) By the time he broke it open and hoisted himself out, the enemy would be onto him. Likely as not he’d just end up shot while hanging halfway out of the window.
    It was a very small church, and his search did not take long. It ended in the belfry, with him looking up at the pinch of starry sky that was visible at the top. “I’m going to leave this way,” he said to Simon. He began climbing.
    The belfry was narrow, and he was able to climb it by bracing himself against opposing walls. He was careful to avoid getting caught on the rope, as he didn’t want to give away his plan by simply ringing the bell. The bell itself was quite small, perhaps only half again the size of a family cooking pot. Simon stood beneath him and watched his progress until the rain of dust and splinters drove him off.
    Gilbert reached the top. Since he was looking down to watch his footing, he cracked his head against the bell. The note rang clearly in the night air, rolling out far beyond the borders of the town. He cursed loudly. Now that he was at the top, he could see that the openings were not as large as he had assumed. They were quite narrow, only just barely large enough to allow him passage.
    He hoisted himself up and looked out through the bell windows. Directly below was the church roof. It was a short enough drop, although if he tumbled off he would fall into the street where he would then be smashed against the stony ground and (probably) shot. However, if he could keep his footing he could cross the roof and perhaps leap to the adjacent building, which looked like it might be stables. Although, it was difficult to be sure in the dark. From there he might gain a horse (assuming this was the stables and also assuming horses were kept there at the moment and that there would be a saddle handy) and ride out of town. The Witch Watch would ride after him. Perhaps he could abandon his horse after a mile or so and double back, leaving his pursuers in confusion.
    It was a ridiculous plan, filled with holes, and most likely doomed to fail. The alternative was climbing back down and waiting for his foes to attack on their own terms.
    He pulled himself up and out of the not-quite-Gilbert-sized opening, and became stuck. He flailed his feet, struck the bell again with his heel, and tumbled out headfirst. There was a great impact. He landed on his back, more or less. This was followed by a short drop and a rain of debris. Gilbert found himself suddenly back inside the church, looking up at the sky through a fresh hole in the roof.
    “Are you all right, Gilbert?” Simon rushed to his side.
    “At least I didn’t break any of the windows.”

     
    Alice stood behind the church with Captain Turpin. She was looking up at the bell and trying to make sense of the events so far.
    Last night they had tracked the abomination to this town. Her ethergram pointed unmistakably at the church, meaning it was hiding somewhere inside. When morning came the captain had advised the locals to stay away, and they were more than happy