Warden (Book 2: Lure of the Lamia) by Kevin Hardman Read Free Book Online Page B

With any luck, all he would have to do after scrubbing himself clean was write in his log and the manuals, and check the birds.
    Amazingly, this turned out to be one of the few times when reality actually meshed with his expectations, and he was essentially able to follow the schedule he’d mentally mapped for himself. Thus it was that, as Errol was leaving the aviary later (thankfully, it appeared that there had been no emergencies in his absence), he almost bumped into Talia O’Dell.
    “Hello, Errol,” she said, smiling seductively. At sixteen, Talia already had a womanly figure, and she knew it. In addition, she was very pretty (although this had resulted in her becoming more than a little vain), and generally had the ability to charm almost anyone around her. However, she was also something of a spoiled brat who was used to getting her way.
    For reasons unknown to him, she had suddenly taken to visiting Errol somewhat regularly at the Station House. Ironically, while there had been a time in the not-so-distant past when he would have been over the moon with getting a mere glance from Talia, his taking on the role of Warden had matured him, and he saw clearly now that – while she wasn’t necessarily a bad person – she had a tendency to be petty and manipulative in order to get what she wanted.
    On her part, Talia essentially had a small crush on Errol. Before his brother disappeared, he’d simply been a cute boy, but nobody she was deeply impressed with. Since then, however, taking on the duties of Warden had made her see him differently. In her eyes, Errol was probably the most eligible bachelor in Stanchion now – aside from maybe Chad Sterillo, the mayor’s son, whom she also had a crush on.
    “Hi, Talia,” Errol said. Obviously word had gotten out – most likely via the Pierces – that he was back. “Is there something I can help you with?”
    “No,” she said, shaking her head. “Unless you want me to go with you to see the troupe that just arrived in town.”
    “Troupe?”
    “Yes, a company of performers arrived yesterday. The mayor has allowed them to set up near the middle of town so everyone can have easy access to them.”
    Errol groaned inwardly. Performing troupes usually came through Stanchion only once every few years. It was something that usually caused a great deal of excitement among the residents, who seldom saw anything more interesting than growing crops or the birth of livestock. In fact, the place would probably be flooded with visitors from nearby wards who were also starved for entertainment. For Errol, though, the presence of such a troupe meant additional work.
    First of all, he’d have to meet with the troupe leader and lay out the ground rules. Such traveling bands were essentially nomadic, and their lifestyles and proclivities often conflicted with those of the towns they visited. He’d also need to inspect any games of chance or skill that they offered, making sure that the people of Stanchion were not cheated (or at least not unreasonably so).
    Finally, the entertainers were quite likely to have a sideshow – a display of odd and unusual things, animals and people (often grotesqueries), including the occasional monster from the Badlands. Errol’s duties included an investigation of the things intended to be displayed (a large number of which were fakes) and making sure – especially in the case of monsters – that the proffered attraction was actually safe.
    All of this went through Errol’s mind as he walked back to the Station House, Talia chattering non-stop beside him. Still, he barely heard a word she said as he walked up the porch and inside, although she followed closely in his wake.
    “Anyway,” he said, choosing to cut her off when she paused to take a breath, “I appreciate you coming all the way out here to let me know about the troupe.”
    “You still haven’t answered me,” she said, pouting a little.
    “Huh?” Errol racked his brains, trying