Free Thinblade by David Wells

moved to Southport so I would be ready when the Reishi Arch Mage awoke.”
    “Stop … you’re rambling. How do you know of my brother?” Alexander was getting mad. “I won’t ask again.”
    Jack glanced at Anatoly who was standing dangerously close with his very sharp long dagger still poised to strike. He took a deep breath. “Darius Valentine was the eldest son of the House of Valentine. Your house has hidden the cursed bloodline for centuries. Your brother was supposed to defeat the Reishi Arch Mage, Prince Phane, and deliver the Seven Isles from a thousand years of darkness.”
    “Darius is dead,” Alexander said flatly. “He was murdered less than a week ago by an assassin.”
    Jack closed his eyes and took another deep breath. “I am very sorry for your loss, My Lord. That sad fact explains the mark you bear on your neck. The eldest son of the cursed bloodline will be marked when the Arch Mage Prince awakes. With your brother dead, the task falls to you.” Jack Colton closed his eyes as if he were dredging his memory. “That would make you Alexander and you Abigail, yes?”
    “You have our names, and much more it would seem. What is your interest in us? Why have you broken into our room and how did you find us in the first place?” Alexander noticed that Lucky had already packed his things and was nearly ready to go. Apparently, he was taking Jack Colton’s story seriously.
    “I found you because I have been waiting for you to arrive since the warning spell alerted the Seven Isles to the coming threat. I broke into your room to warn you of the danger you are in and my interest in you is obvious. I want to be the one to write the songs of your story.”
    Lucky started laughing, “Sounds like a bard to me. What does your sight tell you, Alexander?”
    Alexander frowned, “It tells me we should trust him.”
    Anatoly frowned too, as he stepped back and shrugged. “Sorry about the nick, Mister Bard …”
    “Actually, it’s Master Bard, but you may call me Jack.” His smile was warm, comical, and disarming all at once.
    Anatoly grinned in spite of himself, “Very well, Jack, but know this,” his grin turned menacing, “if you’re lying, I will kill you.”
    Jack’s expression turned deadly serious. He appraised Anatoly for a moment before nodding solemnly. “Given the nature of the coming storm, I for one, am glad to see that the Marked One has such a devoted protector.” He strolled over to his knife on the floor, retrieved it and returned it to the sheath on his belt. “I’ve also read the stories of Prince Phane … and they still give me nightmares. He must be stopped or I fear the whole world will fall into darkness.”
    Jack took a seat at the table. “The Reishi Protectorate is looking for you as we speak. If we stay here, they will find you. The only question is when.”
    “Very well then, you can finish your story on the road,” Alexander said as he turned back to his room.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
     
     
     
     
    They began gathering their things and preparing to leave.
    Lucky took a chair opposite Jack and introduced himself, “Aluicious Alabrand, Master Alchemist and Valentine family tutor.” He gestured toward the room where Alexander and Abigail were packing. “My friends call me Lucky.”
    Jack inclined his head in formal greeting. “It is an honor and privilege to meet you, Master Alabrand.”
    “So, Master Colton, where did you train?” Lucky spoke while he laid out a breakfast of cold biscuits, berry jam, and butter.
    “Please, call me Jack,” he said.
    Anatoly grunted in the background as he packed up his bedroll.
    “My father was the Master Bard of New Ruatha. He trained me from the time I was old enough to speak.” Jack looked pleadingly at a biscuit.
    Lucky nodded eagerly; he was always happy to share a meal. “Ah … so you know of Kelvin, the Guild Master of the Ruathan Wizards Guild … Oh what’s his last name? I’m terrible with