Shadewell Shenanigans Read Online Free Page A

chuckled. “All the great families were,” he said. “That’s the thing about Crestwell, isn’t it? Its famous pupils divide neatly into the great and the terrible of today.”
    Modeset made an uncomprehending face behind the old man, but said nothing.
    “What year?” the archivist asked, narrowing his stack pile down to eight grubby books.
    “Nine hundred and eighty-five.”
    “House?”
    “Razors.”
    “Oh, dear me, really?”
    Modeset ignored the archivist’s sudden intake of breath, and nodded.
    “Yes, really. ”
    “Very well, then. Here it is! The notes below each name are mine. You understand: I do so like to keep things up to date.”
    The archivist tottered back to the duke and deposited a heavy book in his lap. It was open at the correct page.
    Modeset allowed himself a smile as his gaze spilled over the text:
CRESTWELL SENIORS:
    LEAVING YEAR 985 HOUSE OF RAZORS
    OZRYK, SHELMETH
    [became Earl of Beanstalk 991, died, 993 (poisoning)]
    CURFEW, RAVIS
    [heir to the throne of Dullitch, ascended following Duke Modeset’s expulsion from the city, 1002]
    SAPP, VADNEY
    [heir to the throne of Crust, disappeared in mysterious circumstances, 995]
    DIVEAL, SORRY
    [trained as a sorcerer in Shinbone, then went bad and tried to destroy the town: fled when reinforcements arrived from Crust. Disappeared, 1001]
    VISCERAL, VORTAIN
    [trained as a sorcerer in Shinbone, then ascended to the throne in Spittle, 990; found religion and helped to banish sorcery as a legal pursuit in Illmoor]
    BLOOD, VIKTARR
    [crown prince of Legrash, took the throne shortly after leaving Crestwell, 986]
    MUTTKNUCKLES, JIVE
    [heir to the Barony of Sneeze. Left Crestwell, then ran away when his father died, in 987, and had to be dragged back and chained to the throne in order to rule. Has enjoyed a reluctant (but peaceful) reign]
    Modeset swallowed as his eyes found the last entry on the page:
MODESET, VANDRE
    [heir to the throne of Dullitch, ascended to rule the capital in 986, following the death of Duke Edwyn Vitkins (uncle), but was firmly ejected during the infamous “rat catastrophe” in 1002. Currently in disgrace, though rumored to be a sure bet for the “complimentary” chair of the Great Assembly. Owns an ancestral home in the district of Fogrise, but remains the only living lord without a city.]
    Modeset read the last line through twice before slamming the book shut, his eyes welling up as the truth of the statement bit into his soul. The only living lord without a city. How had it come to this?
    Modeset shut his eyes, ignoring the archivist’s incessant chatter, and tried to focus on the positives. As far as he could determine, he had three things going for him: a loyal manservant, a plan to rid the continent of an unwanted menace, and … and … and a healthy dog. The rest would come. He would rule again. As his father so often used to say, an opportunity would present itself …

Three
    S EVERAL WEEKS LATER, IN Phlegm’s giant arena, two swords clashed in the air. There followed a brief yelp before a goblin head flew wide and bounced along the ground several times, rolling to a halt.
    A cheer erupted from the crowd.
    Gordo Goldeaxe leaped onto a rock and took a moment to review the situation. There were ten goblins decapitated, six red ogres in the scorpion pit, and it looked as though Groan had the king’s elephantine moon troll on the run. That was the good news: the bad news was that, over on the opposite side of the arena, Gape Teethgrit and his magically accurate blades were doing just as well. In fact, not only had Groan’s half brother made light work of the goblins and the red ogres, he’d also persuaded his moon troll to break its chains in a dramatic bid for freedom. Predictably, King Phew had both creatures shot before they reached the arena doors.
    Gordo sighed: it was going to be another tie. How much longer could they go on like this?
    “Done ’im,” roared Groan Teethgrit, swaggering up with an air of