In The Beginning by Gail Daley (top 100 books of all time checklist .TXT) 📕

The Harbormaster, who also functioned as Mayor, was expecting them when Andre and Owen rode into the village. "Welcome to my home, Draken," he said, bowing. "You do me much honor."

The Harbor Master, one Jorge Sophilla, had seemed quite happy to show them around the Harbor, but he became quiet when Andre questioned him about defensive capabilities.

"Will there be a need to defend ourselves from attack?" he asked nervously.

"I hope not," Andre replied, "but it is best to be prepared."

The man's smile returned. "Ah," he said, eyeing Andre's weapons. "You are a man of war, it is natural you would be concerned with such things. It is good the new Draconi has chosen so wisely."

"I would like to meet the captain of your Town Watch as well," Andre said.

The town Watch Captain, Tomas James, proved to be a thin young man with a bobbing Adams apple. "How can I assist you, Drake?" he asked nervously.

"What type of defense can you mount if Reavers attack the village?" Andre asked him.

"Ah, I don't know," the man looked frightened. "We have cudgels for enforcing order, of course, but—"

Andre sighed. "I see. Well, it seems as if you and your men are going to need some training and organization. We will need the local blacksmith to make some crossbow bolts as well as the crossbows themselves.

"What do you think?" Owen asked Andre as they rode back toward the house.

Andre snorted. "It’s a weak area. I could take that place with fifteen men. We just have to hope no one attacks it before I can build up the defenses."

While Andre and Owen were being entertained by the Harbormaster, Lewys was discussing repairs with Gordon Trebottom, the Station Master at Ironlyn Station, as well as other matters of interest to them both.

"My cousin mentioned the local Proctor was becoming suspicious. I think in future we need a less obvious way of passing information about Magi who are seeking refuge than knocking on the front door," Lewys told him. "I see you have a cote for messenger birds. Can you set up a similar system at Ironlyn so we can exchange messages without it being too marked?"

Trebottom looked surprised, "Yes, Dracon. Ironlyn Station is also a Message Center for the area, and I frequently use my birds for ordering supplies from the nearest village. No one will notice if we exchange a few private messages. It takes an experienced handler to send the birds to the correct place, though. Do you have someone who can begin training? A cote for them will need to be built as well."

"My grandson Owen has an affinity for animals of all kinds. Whoever you send can instruct him. If there isn't a cote in the keep to meet the birds needs, one can be built," Lewys assured him.

Trebottom nodded. "I will send my daughter tomorrow to build you a proper cote and advise you on suitable feed for them, if it pleases you Dracon. Come, let us choose your birds."

He led the way to the cote behind the Inn. It was obvious the birds were Trebottom's pride and joy; their dwelling was in excellent repair, and the birds greeted him with hoarse cries of delight. Messenger birds were large, about a third the height of a tall man, with sleek red heads, and vivid blue and yellow feathers covering their bodies. Their bright black eyes followed the two men with interest. Trebottom opened a cold chest containing fresh meat cut into thin strips which he tossed to the birds who snapped them out of the air eagerly.

"You have a cold box to keep the meat fresh?" Lewys asked in surprise.

"Yes, Dracon. Your grandfather spelled it for my grandfather before he died, and the Dracon's of Ironlyn have several times refreshed the spell for me."

"Excellent, I must inquire if there is one in Ironlyn I can be use for them. On another subject, I don't think it wise for the Magi who come here to wait in the Trade Station. I remember being told of an old cabin around here where they could be hidden."

Trebottom frowned. "Yes, I remember my father sending hunted Magi to such a place. The entrance to it is well hidden, but it can be found by following the cliff bottom toward the border for a mile and making a sharp left turn into the cliffs. The cabin is in a small canyon where unicorns can be kept. I will see it is made ready."

"Good. The next time I visit, you can arrange to show me the entrance from this side. Order the materials needed for the repairs. I will pay for them when they arrive."

The two parted on mutual good terms. Lewys rode a little way along the route to the hidden entrance indicated by Trebottom, trying to spot the entrance on his own. He didn't find it, and he was preoccupied on his return by considering how to locate the entrance from inside Ironlyn. He failed to see the three robbers who jumped in front of him with weapons raised in time to take evasive action.

"Stop!" one of them cried, pointing a loaded crossbow at him.

Inside the house, Selene was in the library where she often was, reading with a purring cat in her lap. She gave a gasp of fear as a vision of Lewys being attacked rose in front of her eyes. Her hand tightened on the cat's fur and the cat, resenting it, leaped out from under her hand with a yowl, swiping with his claws in punishment.

The pain from the scratch gave her the stimulus to act on what she was seeing. Lewys was in danger. She had to get help. Selene stumbled to her feet and raced for the front door, instinctively looking for Andre, the man she equated with safety.

Andre and Owen were just dismounting in front of the stables when they saw Selene running toward them. "They'll kill him!" she