The Hero's Tomb by Conrad Mason Page A

you, Joseph. I promise. He had to be here, somewhere in the city.
    ‘If you’ll allow me to interject,’ said Master Gurney, ‘I should really prefer it if—’
    The door swung open once again, and a large figure in a hooded gown ducked under the lintel.
    Tabitha shot up from her seat. ‘Newt!’
    ‘Nice outfit,’ said Frank. ‘Very … magic-y.’
    ‘Don’t tell us you’ve been transmogrifying chickens too?’ said Paddy.
    Newton drew back his hood and gave Master Gurney a nod. Tabitha saw at once that he was sweating, as though he’d been moving fast, but his eyes were gleaming. ‘Had one or two things to take care of,’ he said.
    ‘Yes, but what does that have to do with Joseph?’ Tabitha demanded. ‘We’re supposed to be rescuing him, remember? That’s why we came here in the first place!’
    They were running out of time – she just knew it. Any moment Joseph could be caught and strung up by butchers. Or stabbed in an alley. Or sent to the zephyrum mines. The tavern boy was a total, utter bilge brain for coming to Azurmouth on his own, chasing some crazy lies about his father. What was he thinking?
    She tried to imagine what she would do, if someone told her that her own father was alive. She’d only been a baby when her parents died, but somehow she knew exactly what they were like. Alfred Mandeville, governor of Port Fayt – tall, gentle and kind. And Jessica Mandeville, youngand beautiful, with a smile for everyone she met …
    I’d want to know the truth. Whatever it cost.
    Her face felt hot and uncomfortable, and she dabbed angrily at her eyes.
    I will not cry. Whatever happens, I will not cry.
    ‘Don’t worry, Tabs,’ said Paddy gently. ‘We’ll find him. Besides, Joseph can handle himself. He’s got his cutlass, hasn’t he?’
    Newton cleared his throat. ‘Aye, we’ll find him. But first things first. Will someone explain to me what Cyrus Derringer is doing here?’
    The elf glared at Newton, but held his tongue.
    ‘Ran into him on the docks,’ said Frank. ‘He says he’s here to arrest us. Caused a right scene with all his fancy sword-swishing. We had to run from the butchers.’
    ‘Pardon me,’ said Master Gurney, who seemed to have totally lost interest in his chicken. ‘But did you say the butchers ?’
    ‘They followed you?’ asked Newton.
    ‘’Fraid so,’ said Paddy. ‘Reckon we lost them, though.’
    ‘But they saw you?’
    Frank nodded.
    ‘That’s bad. They’ll be looking for us. And you got no leads on Joseph?’
    Paddy shook his head and jerked a thumb at Derringer. ‘Not before we ran into this cheery cove.’
    ‘Dear, oh dear,’ muttered Master Gurney.
    Newton sank into an old rocking chair in the corner and pulled out his pipe. For half a second Tabitha could have sworn he looked weary, as though it was all too much for him. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him like that before. There was a long silence as he stuffed his pipe with tobacco, his brow creased in thought. Then at last he spoke.
    ‘My apologies, Master Gurney. Seems things aren’t working out as quick as we’d hoped.’
    Derringer sneered. ‘Typical incompetence.’
    ‘Shut it,’ said Frank.
    ‘Please,’ said Master Gurney, waving a hand dismissively. ‘Your business is your own. Just so long as you refrain from bringing the League to my door, I shall be content. Now, it seems you gentlemen have things to discuss. I’ll give you a little space, shall I? As it happens I need to pay a visit to the henhouse. I fear this chicken may be defective.’ He gazed sadly at the bird on his desk, which was still undeniably a chicken, and not an egg, before sweeping it up in his arms and bustling out of the room.
    As soon as they were alone, Newton let out a sigh. ‘Nothing else for it. We’ll have to lie low until theend of the day. First thing tomorrow we’ll figure out a better way to find Joseph.’
    Tabitha could hardly believe what she was hearing. ‘But he could be anywhere by