The Vengekeep Prophecies Read Online Free Page A

There, small and red, was a four-point star—the Grimjinx family birthmark I shared with Da, Nanni, and Aubrin. Everyone in town knew about it.
    One of the scholars—a woman with salt-and-pepper hair—stepped forward. “The four of us are in agreement. The tapestry portends a disastrous year for our town-state. A year where the Twins indicate your presence is vital to Vengekeep’s survival.”
    â€œI wanted to be rid of you once and for all,” Jorn said, his face so near I could smell scorchcake on his breath, “but I’m forced to allow you to stay.”
    â€œStay?” Da asked, as though it was the most ludicrous suggestion ever. “I was just warming to the idea of exile. A nice traveling holiday. A chance to see the waterfalls at Azagan Cliffs …”
    â€œAnd I hear the mesas at Splitscar Gorge are breathtaking,” Ma added.
    â€œI’ve always wanted to raft down the River Karre,” Nanni joined in.
    â€œStaying would be dangerous,” Da said, stroking his chin. “After all, I believe there are some pending charges.”
    Jorn’s face had grown so bloated and red with anger, I really thought he might explode. The scholars cleared their throats, which pulled him from his rage-induced stupor.
    â€œAll charges are summarily dismissed,” Jorn croaked.
    â€œYes, that sounds very nice,” Ma said, “but I think we could do with a bit of clemency as well.”
    â€œAnd immunity,” Nanni insisted, leveling a glare at Jorn. “We don’t want to incriminate ourselves.”
    Jorn’s jaw dropped, ready to give us an earful, when the scholars again cleared their throats. Jorn’s outburst died on his lips and all he said was, “Done.”
    Da clapped his hands together. “Excellent. We’ll look forward to the paperwork spelling all that out delivered to our house sometime this week. Now I wonder, Castellan, as we Grimjinxes are responsible for saving Vengekeep, might we have just a moment alone to study the tapestry ourselves? So we can … contemplate how that saving might happen.”
    Jorn sniffed, and a grudging smile parted his lips. “Please. Take all the time you need.”
    He turned with the scholars, clip-clopped across the floor, and left us alone. For a moment. The door then opened and a stateguard brandishing a polearm entered to watch over us. We stood with our backs to him, studying the tapestry thoughtfully.
    â€œBy the Seven! Would you look at that?” Ma said, shaking her head in something akin to awe. “Who would have thought? The Grimjinxes, saviors of Vengekeep.”
    I gave a curt nod. “Absolutely bangers.” Then I lowered my voice. “Some of your best work, Ma.”
    Ma and Da continued looking straight ahead, pretending to observe the tapestry’s intricate detail, but out of the corner of my eye I could see Ma’s jaw drop in mock surprise. She, too, spoke quietly. “Why, Jaxter Grimjinx, whatever do you mean?”
    I guffawed. “You should leave the outright lying to Da because you’re not very good at it. I’d know your forgeries anywhere. I can see where anyone else would be fooled. But you wove that tapestry.”
    We all huddled together tightly. Da pointed, as if to show me something I hadn’t noticed. I played along for the guard’s benefit, leaning in to observe, as we continued to speak in hushed tones.
    â€œSo what was your first clue?” he asked.
    â€œNeither of you was the least bit worried when we were arrested for what should have been an easy prosecution. Like you knew they wouldn’t be able to touch you.”
    I glanced at them, and it’s a good thing our backs were to the guard because they each wore a self-satisfied smirk. Ma pointed to the star in the center. “I made this right before Nanni came to live with us. That’s why there are only four people. An insurance policy your Da