Read Gloria Oliver for Free Online

is the worst one of them all.” Her voice held a tone of amusement.
    “Some say the old lecher at the cave is the worst one of them all,” Yllin said. Mandee giggled quietly as her words were repeated exactly. “So if you end up having to buy anything from him, watch out.”
    “Thanks.” She didn’t know what to make of the information at all.
    “Uh oh, they’re opening the doors. It’s time for our walkies.” One of the boys pointed to a set of large doors on the other side of the dining hall. A few of the others who’d eaten too many tarts for dessert groaned out loud.
    “Walkies?” Talia asked.
    “The watchers make us walk through the garden after every meal.” Mandee stood up, stretching as she did so. “It’s another one of those things they say are good for us.”
    “It’s a total waste of time if you ask me.” Yllin said this softly as she looked around to make sure none of the watchers would overhear.
    “Well I enjoy it. It helps my food settle down so I can have more at the next meal.” Mandee grinned.
    “Especially dessert.”
    The bunch of them followed the other students as they moved toward the set of doors leading outside. A large, cobbled walkway wound from there into a lush flower garden filled with trees and bushes. Short stone columns ringed the area, most claimed by roses or vines. About halfway around, Talia noticed the path branched off and seemed to head in the direction of a distant hill.
    “The lecher’s place is that way. He’s got a cave on a cleft in the hill,” Yllin said. “If you ever need anything, he’s the store master. But if I were you, I’d really make sure I needed it before I went over there to get it.” Her deep frown easily conveyed that she’d find very little to be that necessary.
    As the path exited the garden, Talia got her first close look at the second large building on the grounds.
    In many ways, it appeared to be a smaller version of the school, but made of wood instead of stone and without the balconies. Two massive doors, currently open, faced the path. Looking to see what she could of the inside, she spotted what appeared to be huge open stalls and a thick covering of straw strewn everywhere. The barn, for that’s what the interior made her think of, looked much too large to hold horses or cattle. “What is that building for?”
    “Oh, that’s where the dragons stay,” Mandee said. “Clarence is the only one who actually lives there, but it has plenty of room to house any visitors we might get.” She pointed off toward the other end of the building. “There’s another set of doors on the front. It has a road that winds around to the landing area.
    There’s also a small lake with a natural spring on the other side of the building and a giant pit for their refuse. How they’ve gotten it not to stink up the area when the wind changes, I just don’t know.” She smiled as she added the last. “Hey, if you’re free, we could show you around. After dinner, our time is our own until lights out at ten.”
    “Free time after we’re done studying you mean. If there’s any left before lights out.”
    “Yllin.” Mandee reprovingly shoved the serious girl’s shoulder. “Be nice. You’ve already got her half scared out of her mind and she’s only been here less than a day.”
    “Oh, sorry, Talia.” The other girl sent her an apologetic look.
    “I, I don’t want to be a bother.” Did they really give the students so much work to do? While she didn’t relish getting the two of them in trouble, less did she relish being alone if she could help it.
    Mandee waved a hand to dismiss her words. “Don’t worry about it. You’re no such thing. I know this place seems different and maybe even a little weird, if not downright scary. So if we can do anything to get you acquainted with it so it’s not all quite so awkward, and get you to love it as much as we do, then it’s no bother at all.” Mandee sent a sly look in Talia’s