Free The Man In The Wind by Sorenna Wise Page A

Nonetheless, the fruits of King Serberos’ early conquests were many, and the resulting empire was sprawling enough that it was extremely difficult to avoid in any direction, which gave the roads a false veneer of business at any given time. Iris knew these things. Her whole plan was dependent on them.
           Judging by the sun, it was around midmorning when they arrived at the side of the road. Despite the questionable street conditions, the girl knew that eventually, passersby would happen along. Not even a global catastrophe would be enough to keep anyone in Volikar for one minute longer than necessary. She smiled. If it weren’t for the king’s widespread infamy, they might be stuck indefinitely. And if it weren’t for Rai, no one would care about King Serberos. There was a kind of poetic justice in the way things had worked out.
           In the way they’re working out, she reminded herself. We’re not home safe yet. “Remember,” she said to Rai. “As soon as you see someone, don’t talk.” He nodded.
           Traffic picked up as the sun climbed higher, but few of the carriages seemed to notice them. Briefly, Iris wondered if Rai was recognizable, if pictures of him had ever been seen by the public. Don’t be stupid, she told herself. That’s ridiculous. Who advertises a necromancer? She’d just have to hope the ones who passed were full, or busy, or simply didn’t care. Still, to be safe, she told Rai to “look less threatening.” He pursed his lips, and then he sat down in the snow by her feet. “That’s better,” she said, patting his head. The look he gave her would have dried out a cactus.
           Finally, Iris’ persistence won the day. The vehicle that stopped was a large, chunky affair, like a horse driver towing a fancy box. The sides were unpainted, but the wood was polished to an almost incredible gleam. As it drew slowly up alongside them, Iris hauled Rai to his feet and approached the opening passenger door.
           “Oh, I’m so glad you stopped!” she said breathlessly, putting on an air of dainty helplessness. “We’ve been trying to get out of here all morning, but no one will take us.” She could see the carriage held two elderly, upper-class occupants, clearly a couple. The wife’s face was generously made up, and the smell of gardenias wafted from her person. A heavy string of pearls rested on her bosom, which completely overshadowed the wraithlike form of her husband. He appeared to shrink when Iris glanced at him. Maternally, the woman clucked her tongue.
           “You poor dear. How did a nice girl like you get all the way out here?” She gestured dismissively with her hands, which were gloved in a material that looked like mink. Privately, Iris was overjoyed. She’d had a lot of experience with the snobby rich.
           “Well, Daddy sent me to check his traps in the forest on the other side of the road, and I guess I lost my way. Thank Gods my manservant came with me, or else I’d probably have frozen to death.” The woman’s periwinkle eyes shifted to Rai for the first time. To Iris’ relief, she was more perplexed than suspicious.
           “Goodness, look at his clothes!” How long have you been out?”
           “Since last night. He doesn’t feel the cold. It was an accident, you know. When he was younger.” She tapped the side of her head, indicating a brain injury. “His sense of touch is gone and he can’t talk. But he carried me here on his back.” The lady beheld Rai with a fresh expression of respect.
           “It’s so hard to find good help these days, isn’t it?” Iris nodded solemnly, somehow managing to keep both her laughter and her disgust contained. Next to her own wealthy family, this woman seemed like a parody. Next to Rai, she was an abomination. But she was also their ticket out. “Come inside, darling,” she said. “There’s plenty of room.” Glancing over her