AutumnQuest Read Online Free Page A

entire school. If only . . . if only. There was but one truth to cling to.
    “But he didn’t steal a dragon egg. You know he couldn’t have.”
    “I don’t know it any more than you do, my dear.” All of a sudden, I hated being called that.
    “Well,” I said, my voice shrill, “I do know it more than you, then. I know Breyard could never steal anything, much less a dragon egg. How could he have? He’s been here, and the capital is far away.”
    Master Foris put the tips of his fingers together. “I asked the same question. It appears that the egg was in transit from Prince Havden of Ultria to our Princess Rycina, as an engagement gift. As a subterfuge to keep it safe, it was sent in a plain carter’s wagon.” My heart sank. “This carter says he was robbed of the gift yesterday by a young man of Breyard’s description. So you see,” and his voice grew even more gentle, “I had no choice but to let them take your brother away.”
    “Take him away?!” I leapt to my feet again. “He’s already gone? But I haven’t said goodbye.” I took a step towards the door.
    “Donavah.” The master’s command stopped me. I turned to face him, almost against my will. He stood up and walked towards me. “He is gone. There is nothing you can do. The egg was very valuable—a variety of dragon only newly developed. I doubt the king’s court will be lenient.”
    “No,” I whispered, my knees buckling. “No . . .” I bit back the words “it’s all my fault,” but that didn’t stop them resounding in my head. A sob rose in my throat, and I broke into tears. Master Foris led me to a couch I hadn’t noticed before. He held an arm around my shoulders as I wept, all the time muttering soothing words in a language I didn’t understand. It felt as if I were betraying Breyard to allow myself to be comforted by this man who had willingly turned him over to the Royal Guard, but I couldn’t help it.
    Eventually, I regained control. Master Foris wiped the tears from my cheeks with the sleeve of his robe.
    “There. Now you’ve got that out of your system.” He took my hands in his. “I will make arrangements for you to go to the retreat house. It will be better for you to be away from here until the furore settles. You can continue your studies there, but still remain secluded. How does that sound?”
    All I knew right then was that I wanted to be far, far away from here. I nodded.
    When Master Foris went to the door to call for Isol, I quickly wiped my nose on the inside of my own sleeve. I couldn’t believe it. This time yesterday, my biggest care was whether I’d remember all the herbal properties Master Larmstro, the healing master, had lectured on the previous day. Now I was personally responsible for my brother’s arrest and probable execution. A lump rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down. Right now, I had to figure out a way to make things right again.
    The master turned back to me. “You are, of course, excused from the rest of your classes today. I will have meal trays sent to your room. You can pack this afternoon, and we’ll send you off tomorrow morning.”
    Master Foris led me out of his office and through the antechamber, then closed the door softly behind me. The wood seemed to vibrate in sympathy as the catch clicked into place.
    I wandered in a daze. One corridor led to the refectory, but just the thought of food made my stomach turn. After more aimless wandering, I found myself at the head of the corridor that led to the boys’ block. I stood staring. Was it only last night that Breyard had led me down here in that mad dash? I’d been so angry with him. A sob caught in my throat, and I turned and ran to my own cell.
    I slammed the door behind me, not caring that it echoed loudly off the walls. I threw myself onto my cot and wept without restraint. With no one there to see me—or comfort me—I didn’t bother with trying to control my emotions or maintain my dignity. I didn’t even care