Free The Shadowed Manse by David Alastair Hayden, Pepper Thorn Page A

darkness.”
    “Solidified light?” Morgan said. “That’s not possible.”
    “It is not the common sort of light you are familiar with,” said the wolf. “It is Aetherial light, just as the shades you encountered were made of Entropian shadow.”
    “So how long were we asleep?” Arthur asked.
    “About an hour,” answered Lexi.
    “Sixty-three and a half minutes,” Vassalus corrected.
    “Lady Ylliara said we should rest a while before daring the Grand Hallway,” Arthur said. “Guess we should rest some more, huh?”
    “Oh, sounds good to me!” Lexi said. She curled up into a giant fluff-ball next to Arthur, and immediately began softly purring … or maybe snoring.
    Vassalus shook his head. “I would not take too long. Maybe another hour. Nap if you like. If you need help with anything, do not hesitate to ask me.”
    Arthur looked to Valet who was simply staring at him. “Do you need rest or anything?” Arthur asked him.
    Valet shook his head no.
    “Are you any good with that sword?”
    Valet drew the blade. It was a long, thin sword — a rapier. He went through several attack routines, swished the sword with a flourish, and returned it to the scabbard. He stared at Arthur, who, not knowing what else to do, nodded in approval.
    “All the skill of a long-retired, septuagenarian fencing instructor,” Vassalus muttered. “But beggars cannot be choosers.”
    “Will your sword hurt the shades?” Arthur asked.
    Valet pointed to the sword on the floor that Arthur had used and shook his head. Well, that was too bad.
    “Can they hurt you?” Morgan asked.
    Valet nodded yes, and Vassalus said, “Oh, they can hurt all of us.” He bared his teeth. “Though, we can most certainly hurt back.”
    The way Valet just stood there watching them made Arthur nervous. “Valet, could you guard the door. Just in case they break through.”
    Vassalus eyed Arthur, but said nothing as Valet walked over, drew his sword, and faced the door. Arthur picked up the other sword, since it was all he would have to work with until they reached the Armory. He flopped into one of the big armchairs. Lexi woke, followed him, and curled up at his feet. She was soon fast asleep again.
    Morgan retrieved her backpack and took the armchair opposite Arthur. She rummaged through her pack. Vassalus stood beside her, gazing on with interest. Arthur felt a pang of jealousy. He couldn’t help but think that Morgan had gotten the better numen.
    Morgan examined her ThinkPad, and booted it up. A minute later, she sighed with relief and sank back into the chair. After sorting through various cords and what he thought was an extra battery, she checked her iPhone with the shattered screen. “It’s still working, but obviously there’s no signal. And of course, you can’t see the screen very well. Probably good that I packed light today.”
    “That’s light?” Arthur said.
    “Well, most days I’d have my iPad and my Chromebook with me as well.”
    “Your backpack must weigh a ton.”
    “I’ve gotten used to it. I’m stronger than I look.”
    “And you really need all those devices at once?” Arthur said.
    “You wouldn’t understand.”
    “You could try explaining it to me.”
    “Don’t you think you’ve had your mind expanded enough for one day?”
    Arthur chuckled. “Know what’s funny?”
    “Haven’t a clue.”
    “We’re talking! You know, like how actual friends do.”
    Morgan stared at him as if he were something completely alien, and then almost smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever talked this much in a single day before.”
    “See, it’s not that hard.”
    “Are you kidding? It’s making my skin crawl. I’m running on pure adrenaline, and if I don’t have some down time all to myself soon, I’m going to start having panic attacks.”
    “Ah, see, you’re even joking with me.”
    Vassalus shook his head, and Morgan sighed, “That was not a joke, Arthur.”
    “Oh — okay.”
    He didn’t say anything else. It