Meadowcity Read Online Free Page A

wealth of knowledge—holding the largest library in the Four Cities.  There was a nasty stereotype that they were greedy for knowledge.
    Some ambitious citizens would even travel to other Cities to learn a different trade.  Meadowcity had a few such citizens—Sylvia had once escorted her friend Carlene to Lightcity to learn glasswork.  She had spent over two years there but came back with the skills to run a successful shop here in Meadowcity. Even now, there was a gentleman from Lightcity apprenticing in woodwork in order to take the trade back home.
    Sylvia greeted some of the shop owners as she passed, but kept herself from lingering at any of the displays, intent on reaching the Healer’s Hall without making any detours.  The seriousness of Gero’s warning was beginning to form a knot in her stomach.  He can’t really mean war . 
    “Sylvia!” A call came from behind her.  She turned her head to see Ven coming out of the knife shop she had just passed.  His short brown hair looked ruffled, but otherwise he looked ready for a day of hunting.  Several knives glinted from his belt, and the bow strung across his back thunked across his shoulder bag as he strode towards her, grinning.
    Without preamble, he took her in a great big hug, catching her off balance.  Sylvia staggered out of the embrace, her face no doubt turning some horrible shade of red.  Ven held her shoulders at arm’s length and looked her up and down, as if making sure she was in one piece.
    “Made it back from Skycity alright then?” he asked.  He let go of her shoulders, grinning at her expression.
    “Let me guess, you’ve been talking to Bolt?” she said, knowing full well Ven enjoyed gossip as much as Bolt did.
    “Of course.  So you’ve heard about the Rider from Riftcity.”  It wasn’t a question, but he seemed to be hinting at something.
    Sylvia nodded.  “I’m off to the Healer’s Hall now to meet Gero.  Coming with me?” She asked, hoping Gero wouldn’t mind if she brought him along for what could be a challenging meeting.
    “Only if we take the lake path,” he said as he hooked his arm in hers, grinning.
    After a few steps, Sylvia slipped out of Ven’s arm as they began to walk in the direction of the lake path.  She peeked at him sideways, then returned her eyes to the stone path.  Just outside of the woodworker’s section they reached the path.  It ran the circumference of Hart Lake, both sides of the path adorned by flowers and trees, the landscaping meticulously maintained by the city.
    “So, what do you think happened?” Ven asked.
    “Couldn’t say,” Sylvia replied, still puzzled about it herself.  “You wouldn’t think an experienced Rider would get injured like that.  But…” She trailed off, not wanting to voice the idea that she had last night.  It didn’t make any sense.  “Gero said his injuries were ‘unusual’?”
    Ven just nodded his head, eyes unfocused.
    The Healer’s Hall came into view off the left side of the path.  The building was comparable in size to the Citizen’s Hall, but it was only one long level, and made entirely of wood.  The roof was covered in moss for protection against the cold and wet just like the villas, but its four walls set it apart. 
    Sylvia reached the wooden door and opened it, Ven entering silently behind her.  The compact entrance hall was bright, and the morning light streamed down from a large glass pane above them.  It smelled very clean and crisp, like fresh laundry. 
    A young woman sat at the desk in one corner of the foyer.  She wore the customary tan cotton dress of a Healer, and her hair was bound in a tight braid down her back.  She looked up from several books spread out on the desk and her eyes slid right past Sylvia, landing on Ven.
    “Hello again, Ven,” the woman said, a slow smile forming on her face.
    Ven shifted, clearly uncomfortable.  “Hi Caylee,” he said.  “We’re here to see the Rider from