Gideon's Spear Read Online Free Page B

Shadows jostled for space in the corners of the room.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Finn yawned, knuckling his eyes.
    â€œI neglected to speak with you about something earlier this evening.”
    â€œLet me guess—I’m in trouble again.”
    The tone of resignation in his apprentice’s voice pulled Gideon up short. He frowned. “Now, what put that thought into your head?”
    Finn shrugged. He kept his gaze fixed somewhere past the Knight’s right ear. With a look of skepticism, Gideon shifted to a more comfortable position and waited.
    And waited.
    And waited.
    Finn broke. “I hate it when you do that,” he grumbled. “That whole ‘I am an immovable rock’ thing.”
    â€œIt’s why I do it.” He tilted his head. “So. I take it you think I’m too harsh with you, eh?”
    â€œYeah. I guess. I mean, yes, sir.”
    â€œI am harsh. I told you the first day of your apprenticeship that the journey to Knighthood would not be an easy one. And I’ll not have you getting killed under my tutelage.” His eyes crinkled in amusement. “Why, just think how embarrassing it would be for me in front of our people if I were to lose the celebrated Spear of legend after all these centuries of searching for it.” His smile dimmed when Finn tightened his lips and looked away.
    â€œDon’t call me that.”
    â€œThe Spear?”
    â€œYeah. Makes me sound like…like…I’m supposed to be this superhero warrior or something. But I keep messing up and…” His voice trailed away. He stared out the window, bandaged hands clenched into fists.
    Gideon froze. Unsure what to do or say, he rubbed his knuckles along the stubble on his jaw. After a long minute, he spoke quietly. “‘Twas meant only in jest.” He cleared his throat. “Look at me, lad.” He waited until the boy turned back.
    Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, the Knight studied his apprentice. For a brief second, the memory of another youthful face punished him. A memory of blue eyes peeking through a mop of hair as black as his own and a boyish voice full of determination.
    I swear on Danu’s name, I will be the one who finds the Spear. After all, who has a better claim to it?
    With a wordless curse, he clamped down on those thoughts before his heart could bleed dry again. He took a deep breath.
    A hoarse caw whipped their heads around. Leaping to his feet, Gideon raced over to the window. Behind him, Finn kicked free of the covers and joined him.
    The shutters screeched as they pushed them wider and looked out. Below them, the back yard was a surreal landscape in shades of gray. Beyond the wall, the foothills were black humps against the sky.
    Something moved in the corner of the yard. Finn’s punching bag, hanging from a nearby tree, swung back and forth.
    â€œIs it the Amandán?” he whispered, his gaze locked on the bag.
    â€œI don’t see how they could have clambered over the wall with the bronze coping in place. They are poor climbers and even poorer jumpers.” Gideon murmured back. He unhooked the screen. Pushing it open, he stuck his head out and twisted around for a glimpse of the sky. “Only a single crow.”
    â€œHow can you see a black bird at night?”
    Stepping back, he indicated for Finn to take his place at the window. “Look up. Now watch for the stars to disappear behind it. And use your peripheral vision to catch the movement.”
    â€œPeripheral?”
    â€œLook straight ahead, but take note of what you can see off to the side.”
    Finn swiveled his head from side to side. “I don’t see—oh, there it is. Toward the north.” He stood on tiptoes and leaned out. “It’s gone,” he said, following the crow’s flight. “It’s flying east toward the city.” He eased back into the room.
    â€œI’d best reconnoiter, just to make sure