Anais and the Broken War (The Blood Mage Chronicles Book 5) by Jamie Wilson Page B

now.” I moved to his side and took his arm in mine. Grateful when Gil relaxed, I pulled him away from the table and led him through the throng of men, out of the doors of Dorin’s Cup. All eyes were on us as we moved.
    A breeze of fresh air hit us as we left the tavern, and I breathed deeply, appreciating the air’s purity. Lighting our way, the moon shone full in the night sky. The night seemed bright and clean compared to the dim shadows and smoke within the tavern.
    As we walked, Gil took wobbly steps on the cobbled stone. I moved closer to him and let him lean on me. Although I couldn’t bear much of his weight, I thought I might be able to prevent him from taking a tumble if it came to it.
    “I’ll escort you back to the Great House,” he offered, his words slurred. “I would hate for you to be accosted again.”
    I hid a grin at the idea of Fynn or Gorman causing me harm–such a ridiculous notion. “It’s too late, uncle. Perhaps you would offer me shelter for the night.”
    “Mm. That’s a right good idea. Do you remember my shop?”
    “I do. We’re going in that direction.”
    “Good, good. I have a cot you may sleep on. And then tomorrow, I’ll bring you bring you to the Great House. Unless…”
    “Unless what?”
    “Simon’s ship in port. He wants me to go with him to the new world. He’s been pressing harder than usual this time. The port is still open, but it’s going to be closing soon. Well, that’s the gossip anyway.”
    “Will you go with him?”
    “I’m considering it. It’s getting bad here. While the roads and the ports are closed, I can’t do business. My inventory is mostly gone. With no hope of replenishing my supplies, I can’t make any money. I never thought I’d see the day that I’d be driven from not one but two cities.”
    “You should go,” I said. “Simon’s right. Things are going to get worse here.”
    “You should come, too. Simon would be so happy if he could save you.”
    “I’ll think about it,” I lied. This was my war. Gorman was right about one thing. My magic was a weapon. I needed to find a way to help the skins if the fat man ordered them out of the city. The skins were my brothers, and I couldn’t just let the furies massacre them. But, maybe I could use this opportunity to save someone else–someone more important than me.

C HAPTER 7

    BLINKING SLEEP OUT of my eyes, I woke to the sound of shuffling feet and the clanking of a closing door. As I pulled myself into a sitting position on the little cot, I looked at the bed.
    “You returned late last night,” Mediera commented. “I didn’t think you would be gone so long.” She was reclining on plush pillows, a silver tray holding two slices of bread and a poached egg rested in her lap, having been just delivered by one of the servants. If she had requested something sweet, I would have stolen a bite. But eggs and toast weren’t enough of a temptation to pry me off my cot.  
    “I spent the day yesterday with my uncle in town,” I replied with a yawn, stretching my arms in the air. How could I be so stiff? Perhaps helping Gil pack crates took more of a toll on my body than I had expected. He had decided that he indeed would travel with Simon and had wanted to take what little inventory remained in the shop with him.  
    “Should I even ask how you managed to get in and out of the Great House without being seen? I thought Carrenhail had ordered the guards to make sure you didn’t leave. He certainly has put more effort into defending me than Colin ever had. I can’t leave my room without an escort. It’s embarrassing.”  
    “The servants’ passages can get you in and out unobserved for the most part. Although it’s best to use them at night,” I answered with a shrug.  
    Mediera shook her head. “I forget sometimes that you were once a scull. How strange that you would even consider using those dreary walkways.”
    “You’ve stooped to exploring secret passageways in your