The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

was the one place in Kantar where they felt welcome and were treated as equals. Treated like humans.
    The second unique aspect of the taproom was Sally.
    She was an attractive middle-aged woman with long brown hair. Though a bit plump, her weight was distributed in all the right places. This gave her a voluptuous figure that the male patrons admired. However, those men soon learned that Sally was to be respected. Unwanted attention would likely to earn them a cracked head and see them tossed into the sewer outside.
    As Brock approached the bar, Sally ’ s eyes met his. A smile spread across her face. He gave a broad smile in return. It was difficult not to smile when Sally smiled at you.
    She finished pouring a tankard of ale, set it before a man at the bar, and pocketed his copper. Brock and Tipper grabbed two open stools as Sally walked over to greet them.
    “ Brock, Tipper. How are my favorite boys? ” She smiled at Brock. “ Where ’ ve you been? I haven ’ t seen you for weeks. ”
    Brock flashed a smile. “ Hi, Sally. Sorry I haven ’ t been around. I ran into a bit of trouble with my pa and was on lockdown for a while. ” He paused and the smile slid off his face. “ Ellie died, Sally. She ’ s gone. ”
    Sally ’ s face clouded with sympathy. She reached across the bar and held her hand to Brock ’ s cheek. “ I ’ m so sorry to hear that dear. She was a good woman. I know how much she meant to you after your momma died. ”
    Tipper cleared his throat, breaking the somber moment. “ Sally, can we get something to drink? I was on the street all day and Brock has been running me around ever since. I ’ m parched. ”
    Sally stepped away, returning a moment later with two mugs.
    “ Here you go. It ’ s on the house. ”
    They both took a big drink of the cider. Brock set his mug on the bar and smacked his lips before speaking.
    “ Sally, I need another mark. Same rules apply. It needs to be someone who is crooked. If I ’ m going to steal, I ’ m not targeting anyone who ’ s honest, regardless of his station. ”
    While she had looks, personality, and compassion, what made Sally special was being the ultimate source of information within the city. Many people ignored Unchosen, which allowed them to overhear things normally kept secret. Inevitably, those secrets soon found their way to Sally.
    She stared back a moment before releasing a sigh. “ You seem determined. I suppose I do have a mark that suits your needs. If the rumor proves true, what he ’ s doing is horrible. It might be particularly dangerous though. ”
    She stepped away to help another customer.
    Tipper leaned close. “ I have a bad feeling about this. She wouldn ’ t warn you unless there was a problem. ”
    Brock turned toward Tipper, speaking with determination. “ I have to do this, Tip. I ’ m willing to take a few risks. ”
    “ Okay, Brock. If you ’ re sure you want to do this, I ’ m here to help. ”
    Sally returned, holding a piece of paper toward Brock. He grabbed it, but she held it tight, looking him in the eyes.
    “ Be careful. ”
    Letting go of the note, she was off to help another patron. He opened it and read the contents.
    Tipper leaned close. “ What ’ s it say? ”
    Like most Unchosen, Tipper couldn ’ t read. Brock was a rare exception.
    Brock took one last swig of cider and slid off the stool. “ C ’ mon. I ’ ll tell you after we ’ re out of here. ”

CHAPTER 6
     
    After a long day of working hides, Brock headed out to meet Tipper. Concern clouded his mind as he passed through the streets of Lower Kantar.
    What he was planning was dangerous and held life-altering implications. Crimes against members of the Ministry were treated harshly in all cases. Brock being Unchosen, only made it worse.
    Brock turned the corner, leaving Center Street behind as he approached the temple near the Southgate guardhouse. He stopped when he spotted Tipper near the entrance to the temple.
    Seated with his