Read Legends of Dimmingwood 02:Betrayal of Thieves for Free Online Page A

rising spire soaring above the far wall, the highest structure I’d seen since entering the garden district. Could it be the temple? I cut across the cemetery, taking one of the crosswalks spanning the water, and tried not to think about what I might be walking over. Making my way to the nearest archway, I took the first path I stumbled on. Here, there were more people around, and I had to slow my steps lest I attract unwanted attention. The slower pace scarcely mattered to me for I was on temple grounds now.
    The Temple of Light rose above me, its tall spire jutting into the sky, and the temple grounds, dotted with trees and small flowerbeds, spread to either side. I imagined this would usually be a serene and solitary place, but this was not the case on the eve before Middlefest. The pebbled courtyard and grassy lawn sprawling beyond were filled with bustling folk making preparations and setting final touches on the decorations raised for the holiday. Bright ribbon streamers and flower garlands festooned trees and lantern posts and an enormous bell had been drawn up to hang suspended from a temporary wooden frame in the middle of the yard. It stood silent now, presumably waiting to ring in the holiday tomorrow.
    I paid scant attention to the preparations going on around me. I found what I sought and would be here to meet Hadrian in the morning—along with perhaps hundreds of other people. I decided not to think, for now, about the difficulty of finding a lone man in such a crowd. That was a problem for tomorrow. For tonight, the last pale light of day had nearly faded from the sky and with the descending darkness, my thoughts were heavy with the concern of avoiding arrest until morning.
    But where could I spend the night? I had few coins in my pocket and didn’t know if any inn would accommodate me for so little. My experience of the wide world, I was beginning to realize, was woefully small. Still, I must try. I took a straight, cobbled path leading out of the garden district and into a more populated area. Timber houses with slate roofs sprung up on either side of the road as I hurried on, until I came to a signpost that told me I was in the Commons now.
    I didn’t see anything that looked like an inn. Maybe if I could find a busier street? I ran on, setting my face in the direction that seemed to lead deeper toward the center of town. The further I went, the filthier and narrower the streets grew, until I was forced to wonder if I had taken the wrong way. There was no question in my mind I was traversing one of those dangerous areas of the city Jem had warned me about. It felt like a long time since I had passed anything but empty taverns and dark warehouses. It was now full night, and I slowed my steps, reluctantly giving up hope of finding an inn where the keeper would still be awake. I would just have to find an out of the way spot to sleep out the night, avoiding the guard patrols until morning.
    But I wouldn’t do that here. I didn’t like the feel of this place. The streets were stinking and the looming warehouses made me feel hemmed in. I was about to turn back the way I’d come, when I became aware for the first time of quiet footsteps approaching me from behind. I felt a tingle up my spine. Was it the city guard or a footpad stalking me? Probably just some drunk wandering home from the taverns , I told myself. Nevertheless, he moved stealthily for a drunk. I stopped and knelt in the street, pretending to tighten my bootlace, while casting a surreptitious glance down the long way behind me. It appeared deserted, but I trusted my instincts, which told me I was being watched.
    I rose and continued my walk, neither hastening nor lingering, until I came to the mouth of a narrow alley behind a row of gray sheds. Sauntering around the corner until I was lost from view, I ducked backward and pressed myself against the rough wall of the shed. My heart was pounding as I listened and waited and my hand moved to my