The Way of the Sword and Gun

The Way of the Sword and Gun by Stuart Jaffe Page A

Book: The Way of the Sword and Gun by Stuart Jaffe Read Free Book Online
Authors: Stuart Jaffe
Tags: Magic, apocalypse, tattoos, katana, blues, xena
Ads: Link
knew this meeting was most likely a trap of sorts, then why did he go? Why not warn us?"
    Fawbry's face brightened. He stood and paced the cramped room. "First, he only suspected. But even if he knew, he had to go. If he had ignored the message, Queen Salia would have guessed that he had figured out the betrayal. Without this Brother X fellow in place, there'd be no reason to hold back. She would have brought on a full-scale assault."
    "You think he went along with the meeting in hopes of delaying this situation?" Owl asked.
    "He may simply have figured out this way cost less lives."
    Master Kee nodded. "That sounds like something he would do."
    Fawbry leaned on the table, his face filled with excitement. Owl didn't see exactly where this odd man was headed, but he could feel Fawbry's attitude catching within. "But it only made sense if Chief Master could ensure that the Queen wouldn't get hold of the full power of the Library." He pointed to Owl. "You said you hadn't had much contact with him before. So that would suggest that he gave the book to you recently, maybe even on that day."
    "But he didn't. I never got a book from him," Owl said.
    "You did. You just didn't know it."
    Planting his hands on the table, Owl stood and glowered. "I would know if I received a book from the Chief Master. One doesn't forget such a thing. Especially on the day that he died."
    Fawbry pulled back, his lips quivering. "Calm down. I'm not accusing you of anything bad here. All I'm saying is that perhaps Chief Master got this book into your possession without you knowing about it." To Master Kee, he asked, "Could Chief Master have had somebody put the book in Owl's belongings?"
    "I checked my things already," Owl said. "You were there."
    Master Kee shook his head. "The books are sacred. We don't just leave them on somebody's bed."
    Three loud slams on the desk brought all attention onto Tommy. At first, Owl thought the boy's fierce expression was one of frustration at the bickering going on. But then Tommy thrust a finger toward Owl's coat.
    "The coat?" Fawbry asked.
    Even as Tommy flipped it inside-out, Owl knew. "Of course," Owl said. "My Guardianship."
    Master Kee popped to his feet. "Your Guardianship. That clever little man."
    "By Kryssta, what're you talking about?" Fawbry said.
    While he spoke, Owl leaned closer to the coat and Tommy. "When you begin learning the Way, you are called Novice. That's your name. Only after passing the first level of tests do you acquire an actual name. Second levels allow you to call others by name. The highest level you can achieve is Chief Master. Below that is Master. Below that is Guardian. Most of us only ever make it to Guardian."
    Brimming with excitement, Master Kee said, "The night before the meeting with Queen Salia, Chief Master came to me and asked what I thought of Guard Owl. That's what we call the level before Guardian — just Guard."
    "See," Owl said, unable to wait for Master Kee's patient cadences. "Only a Guardian or higher could leave the Order compound and be tasked with protecting the Chief Master. So that morning, he made me a Guardian."
    "And," Master Kee continued, "the tradition is that the Chief Master presents the new Guardian with a gift. Often a new sword."
    Fawbry said, "He didn't give you a sword, though?"
    "Nor a book," Master Kee said.
    Owl pointed to Tommy and the coat. "He gave me that coat."
    Tommy raised his hand and glanced at his tattooed arm. A ball of electrical energy formed. It cast a pale light directly on the coat. All four hunched over. There, sewn into the lining, they saw words.
    "This is it," Owl said. "This is the thirteenth book."
     

 
     
    Malja
     
     
    Malja stared out at the ever-growing numbers of Brother X's army, her mind blanking at the sight. Tens of thousands of soldiers and magicians marched in on the fields. She had never seen so many people in one place.
    "Why don't they just attack us and get it over with?" a woman asked. Her name was Bell,

Similar Books

The Citadel

A. J. Cronin

The Deception Dance

Rita Stradling

Swine Not?

Jimmy Buffett

Healer

Carol Cassella

Dropped Threads 3

Marjorie Anderson