Legacy of the Claw Read Online Free Page B

was coming as soon as the owls perceived her.
    She stepped out from the shadow into a cramped, cluttered room. There was barely enough space for the two of them to stand next to the Elder’s claw-footed desk and the many shelves of books that lined the hexagonal walls.
    â€œDid you try the closet?” she asked.
    The Elder shook his head. “Would you believe, it’s only full of more books?”
    Normally, Gwen would have laughed. But instead she gripped the strap of her rucksack tightly and steeled herself.
    â€œI’m coming with you to the Seers’ land.”
    The Elder didn’t stop packing. He didn’t even look at her.
    â€œMy rain cape has also gone missing, it seems  … ” he murmured.
    Gwen peeled away from the doorway and located his rain cape, which was inexplicably balled up under his bed. She stuffed it into the traveling bag on the desk for him.
    â€œI worry about you,” Gwen couldn’t stop from blurting out, even though she knew she could say nothing to stop him from leaving the palace. “You need me with you.”
    The Elder rested his eyes on her momentarily. “You’re right, child. I do need you. But I need you
here.
I need your eyes on Parliament while I’m gone. There’s no longer any doubt in my mind that Viviana is taking steps to overthrow them.” He lowered his voice. “Her Dominae party becomes larger every day.”
    The Elder sorted through the random pile of objects he’d recovered from a cupboard under the bookshelves: a shoehorn, a bundle of maps tied with string, and finally—
    â€œAha!” he crowed, tossing the boots toward Gwen, who caught them and set them beside his bag.
    â€œSince her reappearance here in the city, Viviana has let her anger and stubbornness guide her. As Melore’s daughter, I had some hope that her emergence might mean a return of prosperity for Aldermere, after so many years of the Jackal’s rule. Parliament was right to chase the Jackal from power—but they’ve lost their way. When Melore presided over them, Parliament was efficient and fair. Now there’s so much corruption. We take from the people, and yet nothing is accomplished, no progress at all  …  We need a real leader.” He straightened up and moved over to the shelves. On one of them stood a silk toy piglet, which looked as if it had once been loved dearly. The Elder picked it up and ran a finger along its stitched back.
    â€œThose were better days,” he said quietly, and Gwen knew that he was remembering Viviana as a child. He’d told her about Viviana—beautiful and stubborn, with untamable black hair and curious, violet eyes. She could imagine the young princess, before her father’s murder, clutching the silk toy as she ran about the halls of the palace.
    He sighed. “For so long the people have believed in a half-cooked prophecy about the return of a true leader—and I admit, when Viviana first announced her return to the city, I myself almost believed those rumors. But her behavior, her cruel ideas about Dominance—she’s not the child I knew. She has nothing in common with her father. I’m convinced that she is beyond my help, or my friendship.” He shook his head, regret written plainly on his thin, weathered face. “If only her brother had lived—” The Elder’s voice broke. It obviously still pained him to think of Trent, the child he could not save, who had burned along with half of the palace.
    Gwen shivered, and placed her hand on his arm.
    â€œIf so much troubles you here in the city, why leave? The Seers haven’t spoken to anyone in years. Some say—some say there are no Seers left.” She swallowed.
    The Elder patted her hand warmly, cleared his voice, and continued. “I must go to the Statue of the Twins, where the Seers once resided. Clears my mind. There are rumors of unrest in the