Call of the Herald Read Online Free

only care was for his own
safety.
    Master Edling stormed to the back of the
hall, fuming, and snatched the agitated snake from the ruins of
Peten's chair. After releasing it at the base of a tree in the
courtyard, he returned, pushing Peten before him, forcing the
shaken young man to return the desks to order.
    Chase's eyes danced with glee, and Osbourne
let a giggle slip. The townies and Master Edling glared at them
with eyes like daggers. Catrin sat quietly, hoping the situation
would somehow improve, but instead it worsened.
    "Peten Ross, you are a coward and a boor,"
Roset said with a haughty look. "Do not aspire to speak to me
again." She turned smugly away, her jaw stuck out in defiance.
    Chase seemed to think things were going very
well, but Catrin could see Peten's fury rising, his embarrassment
fueling his desire for retribution. How Chase could not see
mounting danger was a mystery to Catrin. Perhaps he was simply
caught up in his own thirst for revenge.
    Master Edling concluded his lecture and
dismissed the class curtly. Catrin was just glad to have the lesson
over and tried to flow out with the rest of the crowd, but Master
Edling barred her path.
    "Miss Volker, I would have a word with you,"
he said, and he clearly did not wish to compliment her.
    "Yes sir, Master Edling, sir," Catrin replied
softly. "I'm sorry I was late, sir."
    "I'll have no excuses from you. It is your
responsibility to arrive before the appointed time. If you cannot
do so, then I recommend you do not attend at all. Since you wasted
my time at the beginning of class, it is only fair I waste your
time now. Be seated," he said, and Catrin slumped into the chair
nearest the door, anxiously waiting for her punishment to be
concluded.
     
    * * *
     
    Outside the lesson hall, Chase ducked into a
darkened recess and waited for Osbourne. Roset came first, and she
cast him a haughty glance, but he was grateful that she said
nothing. Using the darkness for cover, he held his breath as Peten
stormed by, followed by a mob of agitated townies. Minda and Celise
walked by, and Osbourne seemed to be trying to hide behind them.
Hoping no one noticed, Chase grabbed Osbourne by the shirt and
dragged him into the alcove. Osbourne let out a small yelp before
he realized it was Chase who had grabbed him, and he looked over
his shoulder more than once.
    "Looks like Edling held Catrin after class,"
Chase said.
    "I told you he looked boiled," Osbourne said,
but there was a tremble in his voice, and he looked nervously over
his shoulder. "Are you going to wait around for Cat?"
    "I can't. I promised my dad I'd help with the
afternoon deliveries."
    "I can't either," Osbourne said. "I've chores
to do, and I should probably study for the test we have coming
up."
    "Bah, who needs to study?" Chase asked with a
grin. "Just remember everything Edling says; that's all."
    Osbourne shook his head. "That may work for
you, but my father'll tan my hide if I bring home bad marks. I'd
better get Patches saddled and get going, or I'm going to run out
of light."
    Chase peeked around the corner before walking
back into the light, half expecting to find Peten and the rest of
the townies waiting for him, but the stables were eerily quiet.
Only Patches remained in her stall, and Chase stayed with Osbourne
while he got her saddled.
    "Never seen everyone clear out so quickly,"
Chase said.
    "I'm starting to think the snake was a bad
idea," Osbourne said as he tightened the girth. "Feels like I've
got squirrels in my guts. You don't think they'll do anything to
Cat, do you?"
    "You worry too much," Chase said, but he
secretly wondered if Osbourne was right. It seemed strange that
Peten and the others had left so quickly, and letting Osbourne and
Catrin travel home alone suddenly seemed like a very bad idea.
There was nothing he could do about it, though, no way to take back
what was already done, and he tried to drive the worry from his
mind. "I'm sure everything will be fine."
    "I hope you're