Broken Glass (Glass Complex Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

shadowed area, keeping only their weapons packs, and then moved forward in full combat readiness.
    “Don’t approach the houses,” advised Thomas quietly. “No lights showing. The inn should be our first stop.”
    Steg nodded his agreement. The inn was a further hundred yards or so, and Steg expected that the innkeeper or his guests, villagers or travelers, would have news of what was happening. At the inn door, Steg handed his weapons pack to Thomas and pushed open the heavy door. He stepped through the small entry foyer into the dimly lit taproom. Thomas was immediately behind him.
    Conversations halted, although no one looked openly at the two strangers. Steg stopped to allow his eyes to adjust to the dim light. There was silence in the taproom as though a common breath was being held while guesses were made as to their identity. Steg peered around in an almost futile attempt to pierce the gloom and waited as a hesitant innkeeper reluctantly approached.
    “From Castlehome?” he inquired softly, his nervous voice barely lasting across the short distance that separated them.
    Steg nodded.
    The innkeeper visibly relaxed, dropping the edge of his apron where he had been wiping his already clean hands over and over. He looked behind Steg at Thomas, part hidden in the deeper shadows. “I recognize you, I’ve seen you there. We are hearing strange stories—offworlders—the Empire has taken over Castlehome. Can I help you?”
    “Food, drink and a bed for the night,” Steg replied, matching the soft caution of the innkeeper. In the background the gentle murmur of numerous conversations again filled the room, as guests and drinkers carefully ignored the activity at the door. “Are any offworlders here?”
    “Not in my inn. Not now. They were here earlier—I will tell you while you eat. Come in, I have a good table, in the corner there, and you and your friend will be able to watch the door if you wish.” The innkeeper told the serving maid to bring food and drink—the menu was short—a good Homeworld stew, according to the innkeeper, which he described as the best in the district as he led them to a table away from the entrance. He waited for Steg and Thomas to select their seating and carefully ignored the two weapons packs that Thomas pushed under the side of the table. He carried on a one-sided conversation while they ate. “There are three offworlders—Imperials—here, in the village. They arrived in their flyer this morning and posted notices everywhere. They are camped on the common.” A quick smile flittered across his face. “Their tents are palatial, no match at all for my sparse rooms. And they did not like the idea of sharing with bed bugs—my guests were all scratching, they were. And we were looking for the bug killer powders. Even the Imperials started to scratch, they did. So they decided they were safer outdoors.”
    “What do the notices say?” queried Thomas.
    “Well, one is a reward notice—seems like they think the village may be sheltering some of the Earl’s men, soldiers and officers, who they would like to capture. The other is some kind of proclamation. It says that the Earl was plotting against the Empire and that he held power illegally, that he seized the throne from the rightful heir.” He sneered. “They don’t know their Homeworld history—why, the Earl’s lineage goes all the way back to the First Earl, as we all know –.”
    “Who have they nominated as ruler?” interrupted Steg, his concern obvious.
    “The Lady Gaetja, for her infant son, Edrin.”
    “So she is the traitor,” Thomas cursed. “She is a commoner, and not even a Homeworlder. Never trust anyone from Denixx, there’s a start. Her late husband was a minor baron, nowhere near the line of succession. And to claim Castlehome for her son –.” He stopped as Steg gripped his arm.
    “And I suppose warrants are out for the arrest of the Earl’s family?” Steg spoke very softly.
    “Yes. And stories