Clash (The Arinthian Line Book 4) by Sever Bronny Page B

Harvus down and run away with the artifacts. No, that would still leave them short of a library trip—
    “Augum, is Mr. Harvus … is he mistreating you?”
    Augum’s spoon briefly froze in midair before continuing to his mouth. How was he supposed to answer that? And what could Mr. Okeke possibly do about it anyway? He had no arcane powers, and if he got involved, who knew what Harvus would do to him or Jengo in revenge? It was no secret the two quietly despised each other. Yet something about the way Mr. Okeke was looking at him told him he could trust the man with what he longed to tell him, to tell someone .
    Augum quickly checked the windows, half expecting to find Harvus’ pale pudgy face peering in. Seeing them dark and empty, he left the spoon in the bowl and sat up, jaw firm. “Harvus is keeping the Agonex and Orb of Orion hostage.”
    Mr. Okeke immediately slammed the table with his fist. “I knew it, that foul dog. If I had any arcane—”
    “Mr. Okeke, I never did anything … untoward … with Leera—”
    “Of course you did not! You have not done anything any of us have not done before manhood or womanhood, and although I was opposed to it at first, my own son is going to marry a young Tiberran woman when they turn of age next year. Young love is precious, especially in these dark times, and we as a community must nurture it. Although I urge strong caution with young love—there is no need to rush into marriage, for example, for you have your entire lives ahead of you—I do now recognize people must be allowed to make their own choices, their own mistakes, and choose their own paths.”
    “I … I can’t tell you how much it means to hear you say that, Mr. Okeke.”
    “You are almost a man grown, Augum. You have a great deal of responsibility on your shoulders, far more than any youth I have ever met, or probably ever will. Far more than I think healthy for one so young. You will make mistakes. You will know failure. But I have no doubt—none whatsoever—that you will make the best of those situations, and learn from them.” Mr. Okeke finished his speech with a slow, proud nod that lifted Augum’s spirits even more.
    Augum swallowed and nodded his thanks, not knowing what more to say. But a creep of shame still remained—he only hoped he could live up to Mr. Okeke’s expectations.
    Mr. Okeke glanced toward the door. “Mr. Harvus has to realize this is not Canterra. I have never liked the man. There is something … not right with him.”
    “But without Nana, we’ll need him to get to the library in Antioc.” If he’d even take them there. Everything was in question at this point. They had to solve this Harvus problem, and soon.
    “He is cunning. What does he want?”
    “I think he’s only waiting for Nana to pay him, then I think he’ll quit. Or at least I hope he will.”
    Mr. Okeke pressed his hands together. “Augum, do you honestly believe he will give up the Agonex and the Orb of Orion even after he is paid?”
    Augum bit his lip in thought. Harvus had to know the immeasurable value of both of the artifacts, yet who would buy them from him? Only the Legion, and the man hates the Legion. But surely even he wouldn’t do such a thing … would he?
    “I guess not … err … I’m not sure.”
    Mr. Okeke nodded slowly. “Do you mind if I speak with Albert on the matter?”
    “Of course not, Mr. Okeke.” If only Harvus had a weakness—suddenly it occurred to Augum that he did have one—
    “Wine,” he blurted.
    “I’m sorry?”
    “Harvus likes wine.”
    There was the sound of footsteps and talking outside. Mr. Okeke gave a knowing nod and fell silent. Soon the door opened and in spilled the entire throng—Jengo, Mr. Goss, Leland, Bridget, Leera, and lastly, tight-lipped Mr. Harvus, whose beady eyes immediately found Augum. There was a victorious glint in them.
    “Those Legion soldiers are taking a mighty risk indeed, Leopold,” Mr. Goss said, continuing his