Free Arcanius by Toby Neighbors Page A

if she had heard the full story.
    “He used magic,” she continued. “He set the earl’s body on fire.”
    “How?” Ennis asked, the tension in voice almost audible.
    “He cast a spell,” she explained. “He can conjure fire and control it. So he burned up the earl’s body.”
    “You’ve seen him use this magic?” Ennis said.
    “Yes,” Lexi said. “Many times. I’ve seen him do incredible things.”
    “Like what?”
    “I’ve seen him heal people. It’s unbelievable, but I’ve seen him do it. He can conjure fire, light, wind—even put people to sleep.”
    Ennis sat back, a look of relief spreading across his face.
    “What type of person is he?”
    Lexi shook her head. She wasn’t exactly sure what the old man was asking her.
    “I mean, would you say he was a good person?” Ennis asked. “Or is he cruel?”
    “Tiberius is the best person I’ve ever met,” Lexi said honestly. “He’s humble and conscientious. He puts others before himself, always helping people whenever he can.”
    “I have to meet him,” Ennis said. “Can you bring him here, tomorrow at sunset? Just the two of you.”
    “I can try, but I really don’t know how long we’ll be here,” she said. “What can you tell me about the Balestone?”
    “I can only tell you that I have knowledge about the stone that your friend needs. Tell him I will do all I can to help him, but you must bring him here.”
    Lexi’s intuition was screaming that something was wrong. There was no way she was willing to lead Tiberius into a trap, but she had no evidence that the old man planned to betray them. She had known Ennis for several years. They were acquaintances, little more than than two people who moved in the same circles, but he was well respected. And he wasn’t a powerful man. He was old, one of the oldest people Lexi had ever met. His body was frail, and he wasn’t known as a thief or ruffian. She decided she could bring Tiberius as long as they kept their guard up.
    “Okay,” she said. “I’ll bring him, but if you try anything, I’ll kill you myself.”
    “You have nothing to fear from me, child,” Ennis said. “Now go. I have much to do if I am to help your friend.”
    He unbolted the door and walked Lexi out. The sun was just beginning to color the sky a pearly pink. The air was damp and cold. Lexi gave the old man one last look, and he nodded reassuringly, so she left.
She didn’t go far, though. Instead she found a shadowy alley and hid there, watching the old man’s home. He wanted her to bring Tiberius, but she would stick around long enough to see what the old man was up to before she brought the man she loved back down to the lower levels of the city. Lexi wasn’t a warrior or a wizard, but in Avondale she had skills that would come in quite handy, and at that moment she knew exactly what she needed to do.

Chapter 10
    Rafe
    It was almost midday when Rafe’s father returned. Earl Aegus had eaten and was now sleeping again. His healers were encouraged by the earl’s newfound strength and will to live. Rafe said nothing about Tiberius’ ministrations in the night. His friend was resting, and Rafe was taken for just another of the earl’s soldiers. There had been a time not very long ago when Rafe was known by sight, but a month in the blighted lands had changed him. His normally clean-shaven face was concealed behind a scruffy growth of beard, and his hair was grown out as well. But most of all, people didn’t believe he could be the sword master’s son. Rafe had been banished, and it was believed that banishment was as good as a death sentence. The entire city had seen Rafe, Olyva, and Tiberius banished, and no one believed they still lived, no matter what Rafe’s reputation as a fighter had been.
    “Have you eaten?” Grentz asked.
    “No, sir,” Rafe replied.
    “Anyone recognize you?”
    “No, sir, I don’t believe so.”
    “Good.”
    He led the way down to the small apartment that Rafe had shared