скачать книгу бесплатно
Among Wolves
Nancy K. Wallace
Young Devin Roché is about to graduate as an Archivist from the prestigious Llisé’s University, and there is just one more task he wants to complete – to preserve a complete history of Llisé.The history of Llisé and its fifteen provinces are a peaceful affair, filled with harmony, resolution and a rich oral tradition of storytelling. Nothing untoward ever happens in this peaceful land. Or does it?Trainee archivist Devin Roché has just taken his finals at the prestigious Académie. As the sixth son of the ruler of Llisé, his future is his own, and so he embarks on an adventure to memorize stories chronicling the history of each province.As Devin begins his journey with only his best friend Gaspard and their guardian Marcus, he hears rumors of entire communities suddenly disappearing without a trace and of Master Bards being assassinated in the night.As the three companions get closer to unearthing the truth behind these mysteries, they can’t help but wonder whether it is their pursuit that has led to them.But if that is the case, what do Llisé and Devin’s father have to hide?
Among Wolves
Book One of The Wolves of Llisé
NANCY K. WALLACE
HarperVoyager
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd
1 London Bridge Street,
London SE1 9GF
www.harpervoyagerbooks.co.uk
First published in Great Britain by HarperVoyager 2015
Copyright © Nancy K. Wallace 2015
Cover layout design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2015.
Cover photographs © Shutterstock.com
Nancy K. Wallace asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Digital eFirst: Automatically produced by Atomik ePublisher from Easypress.
Ebook Edition © May 2015 ISBN: 978-0-00-810358-3
Version: 2015-04-08
Among Wolves is dedicated to my family.
My husband, Dennie: without his love and support I would never have become a writer. My daughter, Mollie, who provides technical assistance, and my daughter, Elizabeth, the most tireless and dedicated proofreader ever! I cannot thank you enough for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself
Table of Contents
Cover (#u81a76df6-f86c-5d5f-b5f8-66a4142f3032)
Title Page (#uba02528d-c04a-586e-a2f8-003beac0c19c)
Copyright (#u7ee5f120-3f43-57aa-b579-db6b10a9251c)
Dedication (#u541b1e27-9092-5f7f-a5d0-0b36e317a918)
CHAPTER 1: The Beginning (#ucabbc354-4b7b-5a9f-8832-71dab3e2e476)
CHAPTER 2: Leaving Viénne (#ud2a158af-4e8a-5ec0-902e-2ff6922b8774)
CHAPTER 3: The Marie Lisette (#ue9a4e5e1-84a7-532d-99c6-643434575ec5)
CHAPTER 4: Allies and Adversaries (#uf59f9817-f142-588a-a4c1-f3bfc7d182f3)
CHAPTER 5: Rough Seas (#u4af446d2-0b95-5e3c-ab68-08167c8e6fd6)
CHAPTER 6: Revelations (#u3ba53463-7881-523f-ad61-395e33e64a80)
CHAPTER 7: Snow in Ombria (#u9b221cc1-7c54-5f23-a19b-537409ebfaaf)
CHAPTER 8: The Stones of Ombria (#u489c0d4f-12ba-5b63-82c1-d6bb2788ed12)
CHAPTER 9: Night in Briseé (#uaa939537-2219-5a0e-8de4-d45a2936f8ec)
CHAPTER 10: Divided Loyalties (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 11: Suspicion (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 12: Armand Vielle (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 13: Inconsistencies and Allegations (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 14: “Lisette’s Lament” (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 15: A Bard’s Life (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 16: Mäìte (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 17: Night Terrors (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 18: “Emeline” (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 19: The Forêt d’Halatte (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 20: Among Wolves (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 21: The Beast of Gévaudan (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 22: Unavoidable Delays (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 23: Family Secrets (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 24: The Quest for Truth (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 25: Armand (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 26: Secrets (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 27: News from Home (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 28: The Edge of Sleep (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 29: Acquainted With Death (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 30: Investigation (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 31: Aftershocks (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 32: The Storyteller’s Sack (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 33: High Stakes (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 34: Undercurrents (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 35: Sticks and Stones (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 36: Solutions (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 37: “Remi Reynard” (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 38: Celebration (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 39: Admonitions (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 40: Bishops and Blacksmiths (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 41: Death and Secrets (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 42: The Last Supper (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 43: Changes (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 44: Unexpected Visitors (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 45: Lac Dupré (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER 1 (#ucebfb63d-3bdd-5ce5-bbf4-4b5902ae3025)
The Beginning (#ucebfb63d-3bdd-5ce5-bbf4-4b5902ae3025)
“There’s an urgent message for you, monsieur,” Isaac La Salle said, handing Devin a rolled parchment sealed with the gold signet of the Chancellor Elite. The proctor’s whispered message boomed in the compulsory quiet of the examination hall.
Devin nodded silently, aware of the handful of other graduate students still bent feverishly over their exams. He squared the edges on his sheaf of examination papers and retrieved his jacket from the back of the bench. His friend, Gaspard, glanced desperately his way, eyes rolling, his exam barely started. Shooting him a sympathetic grin, Devin walked to the back of the room. La Salle now sat propped against the Académie’s stone wall, the seventh volume of Blade’s Laws spread across his lap. Devin handed the proctor his completed papers and left without comment.
Devin pocketed the parchment. It was so like his father to think nothing of interrupting final exams with an urgent missive to report home. He knew without reading it what it required of him. He’d already planned a visit to his parents into the flurry of tonight’s activity but it would have to be brief. His ship sailed at dawn and he doubted he would even find time to sleep.
He crossed the wide entrance hall, with its two elegantly curving stairways. One led to the Archives, the other to the lecture halls. He mounted neither but walked through the massive double doors into the late spring sunshine. Spray from the central fountain dampened his hair and shirt as he passed through the courtyard. He welcomed the sprinkle of cool water after the stuffiness of the examination hall. Blossoming trees and early bulbs in bloom flanked the perimeter of the cobbled expanse. The fragrance of flowers hung heavy in the air. The sun lying low in the west silhouetted the trees lining the street before him. Horses and buggies hugged the curb, their drivers soliciting fares. He passed by them, content to walk.
Today marked the completion of his first two years of apprenticeship in Llisé’s Historic Archives. His Third Year was his own – to explore optional careers – or to rethink his decision to become an archivist. If he returned for the Fourth, and final, Year at the Académie, his choice of profession would be sealed and there could be no changes.
He didn’t anticipate any alteration of his plans. He had never been happier than studying Llisé’s ancient documents, recopying those whose condition was deteriorating, and compiling meticulous chronological records.
When he reached Independence Square, the clock high on the cathedral arch, chimed seven. He quickened his pace. The windows of the houses bordering the square already glowed softly with candlelight. His family would be waiting and tardiness on his part would only lead to teasing about his possible lack of proficiency in exams.
The Chancellor’s mansion dominated the western end of the square, its pillared gates lined by a dozen guards, in blue and silver uniforms. They waved Devin through as he climbed the front steps in the fading light.
Girard, his black suit and white shirt immaculate, opened the door.
“How did it go, monsieur?” he asked, with a smile. “Did you pass your exams or should I inquire about a post in the provinces for you?”
“I did well,” Devin assured him. “I finished first. The others are still up to their ears in essays.”
Girard laughed. “Your father will be pleased.” He pointed to the right. “They’re in the petite parlor. They’ve been waiting.”
Devin crossed the threshold expecting to have a quiet dinner with his parents. But all five of his older brothers had gathered to see him off. He was not surprised to see that none of their wives had been invited. That was his mother’s doing. She actively sought time alone with her sons, where she could claim their complete attention without any distractions.
His father had neatly slotted his first five sons into every branch of the powerful government he controlled. As the youngest, only Devin had been free to pursue his own interests.
His brothers stood clustered in the parlor, waiting for him. Their expressions ranged from anxious to grave, as though they had gathered to stage an intervention.
“It’s a celebration not a wake!” Devin exclaimed, clapping his oldest brother on the shoulder. Jean was a district judge; staid and solemn, already tending toward plumpness around the middle. A few gray hairs highlighted his dark temples.
“We’re just concerned,” Jean replied. “This plan of yours seems ill-conceived.”
“Ah,” Devin laughed, “and your Third Year was a model of convention? I’ve heard stories about the places you visited!”
“A few wild oats are understandable…” Jean sputtered. “You, on the other hand, seem to have taken this quest to heart.”
“Hello, dear,” his mother said, extending her hand to pull him closer. “I think it’s a shame to waste this opportunity, that’s all. The Third Year is intended as a carefree time. You should spend it with friends or traveling before you lock yourself away in the Historic Archives for the rest of your days.”
Devin bent to kiss her on both cheeks. “I will be spending my time traveling and with friends, Mother. Gaspard’s agreed to go with me, if he can finish his exams in time.”
“Oh well, Gaspard,” she commented, one hand falling languidly to the side. “Why didn’t you choose someone more…” Words apparently failed her.
