Read Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools for Free Online

Max's voice in his ear. 'He was gone when I woke up, ages ago. He's probably run off with all our valuables.'
     
'What valuables?' muttered Sebastian, scratching at his side. He turned his head to see that Max was standing by the edge of the bushes, questing hopefully among them for something edible. 'Perhaps he changed his mind about travelling with us.' He gave Max an accusatory look. 'Probably something to do with the wind last night,' he added.
     
'I don't remember it being windy,' said Max.
     
'You weren't sleeping where I was.' Sebastian climbed out of his bedroll, put on his hat and stood up. He scanned the horizon in a full circle but could see no sign of the diminutive warrior. 'That's a pity,' he said. 'I was looking forward to a hearty breakfast.'
     
'And you shall have one!' said Cornelius, popping up out of the bushes with a suddenness that made Max choke on a mouthful of grass. 'I've had the good fortune to find a nest full of gallock eggs.' He strode forward, showing Sebastian his upturned helmet, which was full to the brim with round blue spheres. T trust you have a pan we may fry these beauties in?'
     
'Er . . . yes, of course.' Sebastian hurried to the back of the caravan, hoping that he hadn't sounded like he was already taking Cornelius for granted. 'What a pleasant surprise,' he said. 'You must have been searching all morning.' He grabbed some kindling and a battered old pan.
     
'It's just a case of knowing where to look,' said Cornelius, sitting beside the fire.
     
'What kind of bird is a gallock?' asked Max suspiciously.
     
'No kind of bird at all,' replied Cornelius. 'Since it's a serpent.'
     
'Serpent's eggs?' cried Max, pulling a face. 'Oh, that really is going too far!'
     
'I can assure you, they are delicious,' said Cornelius, taking the kindling from Sebastian and adding it to the fire. 'But of course, if you'd prefer mulch, I won't be offended.'
     
Max looked thoughtful. 'I suppose one should try unfamiliar foods once in a while,' he said. 'Just for the experience.'
     
In the end Max ate four of the eggs and would have had more if there'd been any left. 'They're really rather nice,' he exclaimed, licking the last traces from around his mouth. 'Considering where they came from.'
     
'Javralat meat, serpent's eggs – let's just hope the unfamiliar diet doesn't have its usual effect on you,' said Sebastian, as he harnessed Max to the caravan. 'Don't forget I'll be sitting right behind you.'
     
'I can't imagine what you mean,' said Max primly.
     
Then it was time to pack up camp and resume their journey.
     
They set off at a good pace. Cornelius opted to walk alongside the wagon rather than listen to Max's incessant moaning about the extra weight he had to pull. Cornelius thought they were still a good day and a half away from their destination. Somebody had told him that the towers of King Septimus's grand palace were visible from a good distance off, but as yet the horizon was an unbroken horizontal line of pale brown against the clear blue of the sky.
     
They trudged on for hour after hour and eventually the flat ground gave way to gently rolling hills of grassland that seemed to sway rhythmically in the breeze. Around midday they crested a ridge and noticed something below them in the distance – a thick column of grey smoke rising into the sky – and as they moved steadily nearer, they could just discern what looked like a line of wagons. There was some kind of commotion going on around them that was raising a thick cloud of dust. Cornelius pulled an ancient-looking telescope from his belt and lifted it to his eye. He studied the scene for a moment, then drew in a short, sharp breath.
     
'Shadlog's teeth!' he exclaimed. He thrust the telescope back, pulled down the visor of his helmet and drew his sword.
     
'Come on, Sebastian,' he said. 'Somebody's in trouble!'
     
'But . . . the caravan . . .'
     
'It will follow on by itself quite happily. Grab your sword and follow