Free The Freedom of Navid Leahy by Jenna Helland Page B

attend school through age ten, but one of his father’s friends, Gavin Baine, held classes for children in the neighborhood several hours a week.
    â€œNot today,” Navid said. “Mr. Baine had a conflict.”
    Gavin was also a journalist and helped with the newspaper. Navid liked him as much as Michael, but he wasn’t as famous or as bombastic.
    â€œHe’s certain to be at Michael’s speech,” Brian said. “What are you learning these days?”
    â€œMr. Baine’s been telling us the Kilkeer Saga, and we’re at the part where he ventures into the Great Northern Forest in search of the Giant of Red Lake.”
    Brian seemed disappointed. “I’m surprised that’s what he’s teaching you.”
    â€œWell, only the last ten minutes of the day and only if we did everything else well.”
    â€œGood,” Brian said. “Focus on your numbers, Navid. One day, we will need engineers as much as the Zunft.”
    â€œYou don’t like the saga?” Navid asked incredulously.
    â€œI like the saga well enough,” Brian said. He picked up his flat cap and adjusted it on his head. “But I like it in the evening after chores, not during the work day when the sun is out.”
    Brian was fortunate not to work directly for a Zunftman, and he tried hard to keep the pub going—and therefore keep his freedom. Industriousness mattered more to him than grand stories of heroism. Still, Navid couldn’t resist jumping to his feet and brandishing an invisible sword at his father. Brian hesitated and then raised an invisible sword of his own.
    â€œKilkeer had only just entered the forest when he was set upon by the Zunft,” Navid said, lunging at his father.
    â€œThe Zunft didn’t exist back then,” his father said, dodging and offering a counterstrike.
    â€œBandits, then,” Navid agreed, although in his head, they were still the black-uniformed soldiers that he took great pains to avoid whenever he was out in the city. “You must not distract me from my true battle with the giant.”
    Their swords clashed around the table until Katherine Leahy appeared in the kitchen doorway. Brian dropped his play-sword, kissed his wife, and waved goodbye to his son.
    â€œDid you eat?” his mother asked as his father headed out the door, so Navid called after him, “See you at noon!”
    â€œWhere are you going?” Katherine asked.
    â€œTo hear Michael speak at East Ash,” Navid said.
    â€œCan you run an errand for me?” his mother asked.
    Navid nodded. He loved running through the city more than anything else. He knew all the shortcuts and alleyways on both sides of the Lyone River. If he wanted to, he could make it from the Plough and the Sun to the Grand Customs House just by traveling from rooftop to rooftop.
    â€œGood boy,” his mother said, smiling down at him. “Take this to Gavin first, and then you can go see Mr. Henry.”
    When Navid took the sack, little bits of metal rattled inside the cloth. He looked quizzically at his mother.
    â€œIt’s letters for the printing press,” Katherine said. “Stay off the ground and don’t let anyone see you.”
    â€œI won’t, Mama,” he said. She didn’t need to worry. He hadn’t got caught by a Zunft patrol yet.
    â€œAnd Navid, don’t go to Mast Square today,” his mother warned.
    â€œWhy?” Navid asked.
    â€œI heard about another arrest there, just yesterday,” Katherine said. “Someone is vandalizing warehouses in the area, and the Zunft is are watching carefully.”
    â€œMost of the buildings are abandoned down there!” Navid said. “Why do they care?”
    â€œMast Square is contested ground, Navid,” Katherine said. “Both sides claim it as their own heritage.”
    â€œHow could the Zunft claim it?” Navid sputtered. “We brought the ship here.