Gideon's Spear Read Online Free Page A

‘Twill be grand seeing her again, eh?” Gideon ignored the comment. “You were going to tell us why Martin O’Neill contacted you.”
    Mac Roth relented on the teasing. “It was to ask me if I would be willing to take their son as me apprentice. The lad turns thirteen in just a few days, and the Knight who was to have apprenticed young Lochlan was recently killed on a hunt near Steamboat Springs.”
    â€œAnd what did you tell them?” Gideon reached over and slipped another piece of bread onto Finn’s plate, his face neutral.
    â€œI told them I was grateful they did not hold Asher’s death against me, and I would be honored to take the lad. They’ll be hosting a small dinner party Friday evening at Jack Quinn’s. And I’ll be expecting ye two to join us. ‘Twill give Finn a chance to get to know Lochlan.”
    Finn stopped in time from making a face. Instead, he took another bite, saving himself from having to answer. No way. Not going to happen. Any cousin of Asher will probably think I’m dirt just like he did. Just because I’m a halfer . He choked when Gideon accepted the invitation.
    â€œAnd I’m assuming the O’Neills will be footing the bill for the festivities?”
    Mac Roth nodded in anticipation. “Ye know the O’Neills. They’re a proud family and enjoy sharing their wealth with the rest of us.”
    â€œYou mean flaunting their wealth,” Gideon replied, then shrugged. “Well, I wouldn’t want to show disrespect by not partaking in their generosity.”
    â€œForever thinking of others, Lir.”
    â€œAye, that I do. Excessive kindness has always been a fault of mine.”
    Finn rolled his eyes.
    T he Journal of Finnegan MacCullen: July 14th
    Son of a goat—not another O’Neill!

Four
    If they think I’m going to be friends with Asher’s cousin, they better check the Weather Channel to see if you-know-where froze over. For one thing, I’ve been an apprentice for two whole months AND I earned my torc years before most other apprentices. Lochlan had better stay out of my way.
    I’m just saying.
    What I Learned Today:
    1. Amandán live in caves. That’s because they believe they originally came from the earth. In fact, they call themselves bog-born . Which is the most unoriginal name, since supposedly they were created deep in the peat bogs of Ireland. They’re not very bright.
    2. Always do what your master tells you. Unless it is a stupid order.
    Then ignore it and do the right thing. Because masters can make mistakes.
    The Journal of Gideon Lir: July 14th
    Ye gods.
    If I had known that pack of Amandán back in the hills was so numerous, I would have brought Mac Roth along.
    And even though he disobeyed me again, Finnegan MacCullen saved my life this evening. Now that my irritation with him has cooled, it has dawned on me I still owe him a debt of gratitude.
    And I always pay my debts.
    * * *
    Gideon closed the journal and pushed it to one side of the desk, then leaned back. His chair squeaking in protest, he swiveled around and gazed into the cold hearth. After a long minute, he turned off the desk lamp and headed upstairs, his movements sure even in the dark.
    Pausing at Finn’s half-open door, he stuck his head inside. A faint breeze blew through the raised window, carrying the smells of the foothills beyond—pine and grass and good clean earth. Stepping further in, he edged over to the figure sprawled face-down on the bed.
    â€œFinnegan, wake,” he said softly, smiling to himself at the old joke. He nudged the bed with a knee, giving it a shake.
    Finn jerked and lifted his head from the pillow. “Is it an attack?” he asked, his voice rough with sleep.
    â€œNo, not at all. And apologies for startling you.” The mattress squeaked as Gideon perched on the edge of it; he waited while the boy untangled himself from the covers and sat up.