Read Fable: Edge of the World for Free Online Page B

to be part of this.”
    “Part of what, my love?”
    He took her hand and placed it on the Seal. The simple gold band that united them as husband and wife glinted. He placed his own hand over it and closed his eyes.
    She heard … no, the words were not uttered, they were inside her head, and she felt a faint prickling of fear and wonder combined as her husband “spoke” without speaking.
    The Seal is my lineage. She who touches it now is my wife, heart of my heart. Grant her the gifts you grant to me
.
    There was a bright flash of light. Energy crackled around Laylah, alarming but somehow comforting too, in a strange way. When Laylah could see again, she was standing in a brightly lit chamber.
    “Ah, greetings, Your Majesties,” said a familiar, cheery voice.
    “J-Jasper?” She blinked and turned, seeing the ramrod-straight, elderly butler. Jasper bowed.
    “Of course, Madame. Welcome to the Sanctuary!”
    “Sanctuary?” Laylah repeated, stunned, and she realized what had happened. Her husband had used his Will, what some people called magic, to bring her here. She knew, of course, that he was a Hero, and she had heard the stories, but this was the first time she had ever actually seen him use his Will. Did this place truly even exist, or was it somehow real and unreal at once? She swayed, and he caught her—his hand strong and gentle on her arm.
    Laylah looked up at him, and he gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re completely safe here,” he said, and she knew she was. If this place was connected to her beloved, how could she be anything but safe? She tried to take it all in—the white-and-black squares on the floor; the alcoves ringing the round chamber in which statues, bearing weapons or clothing, struck various poses; on the table a giant map that looked like Albion in miniature.
    “Only you, Jasper, and I know about the Sanctuary,” the king was saying, and she turned her full attention to him. “Walter did, too. He helped me find the Seal, and came with me on my first visit. He’d heard my father talking about the Sanctuary but had never been here before. I think Ben and Page have an inkling that such a place exists. But even they don’t know how to reach it, nor could they—or anyone—if they tried. The Guild Seal is the only way in or out.”
    Laylah looked down at the Seal, then at Jasper. “Jasper has sworn fealty to me,” the king continued. “He has my full trust, and I his. It’s a powerful oath. You, my love, agreed to marry me. Thus, my Seal obeys the two of you. I removed a small piece of it to give to Jasper, so that he may come and go as he pleases.”
    Jasper held up a hand. A small ring with a blue gem winked in the light.
    “What … is this place for?” Laylah asked.
    The king grinned at Jasper. “Please enlighten her.”
    Jasper beamed. He proceeded to explain to the queen that this site was not only a refuge for the king should he require it in the event of a siege, but a place where weapons, outfits, and other memorabilia from his adventuresome past would always be protected and ready for use, if needed. There was also a book here on how to be a Hero that had proven to be “utterly indispensable,” crowed Jasper.
    “I am no Hero,” said Laylah.
    “Nor am I, my Lady,” said Jasper, “but we can nonetheless be of great service to this young king whom we love.” He coughed. “In a perfectly class-appropriate, avuncular manner, of course.”
    “When we return I will replace the seal,” the king said. “It is safer there than in our chambers, or indeed anywhere in the palace. The catacombs are seldom visited, and it is not far for you to get to. All you need to do is hold the seal and think of theSanctuary. And to return, select a place on this map and do the same thing.”
    “I don’t understand … how does it …”
    He stroked her hair gently. “It is all part of what is inherent in my bloodline … inherent in being a Hero. Even Jasper doesn’t