A Court for Thieves - Морган Райс

Morgan Rice

A COURT FOR THIEVES

Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERERS RING, comprising seventeen books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising twelve books; of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising three books; of the epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising six books; of the epic fantasy series OF CROWNS AND GLORY, comprising 8 books; and of the new epic fantasy series A THRONE FOR SISTERS. Morgans books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

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If you thought that there was no reason left for living after the end of THE SORCERERS RING series, you were wrong. In RISE OF THE DRAGONS Morgan Rice has come up with what promises to be another brilliant series, immersing us in a fantasy of trolls and dragons, of valor, honor, courage, magic and faith in your destiny. Morgan has managed again to produce a strong set of characters that make us cheer for them on every pageRecommended for the permanent library of all readers that love a well-written fantasy.

Books and Movie Reviews

Roberto Mattos

An action packed fantasy sure to please fans of Morgan Rices previous novels, along with fans of works such as THE INHERITANCE CYCLE by Christopher Paolini Fans of Young Adult Fiction will devour this latest work by Rice and beg for more.

The Wanderer,A Literary Journal (regarding Rise of the Dragons)

A spirited fantasy that weaves elements of mystery and intrigue into its story line. A Quest of Heroes is all about the making of courage and about realizing a life purpose that leads to growth, maturity, and excellenceFor those seeking meaty fantasy adventures, the protagonists, devices, and action provide a vigorous set of encounters that focus well on Thor's evolution from a dreamy child to a young adult facing impossible odds for survivalOnly the beginning of what promises to be an epic young adult series.

-Midwest Book Review (D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer)

THE SORCERERS RING has all the ingredients for an instant success: plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers.

Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos

In this action-packed first book in the epic fantasy Sorcerer's Ring series (which is currently 14 books strong), Rice introduces readers to 14-year-old Thorgrin "Thor" McLeod, whose dream is to join the Silver Legion, the elite knights who serve the king Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing.

-Publishers Weekly

CHAPTER ONE

They made a spectacle of Sophias punishment, as Sophia should have known they would. They dragged her back to the House of the Unclaimed, only pulling the hood from her head once they reached its confines, shoving her along with stumbling steps through the streets of Ashton.

Kate, help me! Sophia sent, knowing that her sister was her best option of getting through this.

Nobody helped her, not even those she passed by. They knew she wasnt some rich girl being kidnapped, just one of the indentured being taken back to face justice. Even hooded and wearing the rich dress of her disguise, it seemed that people could see that much. She could see their thoughts, with so many of them thinking she deserved it that she felt as though she were being spit on as they dragged her.

The masked nuns rang bells when her captors dragged her back. It might have seemed like a celebration, but Sophia knew it for what it was: a summons. They were dragging children from their beds to see what became of the ones who were stupid enough to run.

Sophia could see them now, clustered around the doorways and the windows of the orphanage. There were the older ones she knew, and younger ones who had only just come into what passed for the care of the place. All of them would watch what happened to her, and probably some of them would have nightmares about it afterward. The masked nuns wanted the children there to remember what they were, and to learn that there could be nothing better for them.

Help me! she called to them, but it made no difference.

She could see their thoughts. Some were too scared to move, some were still blinking with no understanding of what was happening. A few even thought that she deserved this; that she ought to be punished for breaking the rules.

The nuns pulled Sophias outer dress from her. Sophia tried to struggle, but one of the nuns just slapped her for it while the others held her in place.

Do you think you get to wear finery? A shameless thing like you deserves no rich clothes. You barely deserve the life the goddess chose to give you.

They stripped her down to her plain underdress, ignoring Sophias shame at it. They ripped the braids of her hair into wildness, not allowing her even that much control over how she looked. Whenever she gave them the slightest resistance, they hit her with open hands, leaving her reeling from it. Still, they marched her forward.

Sister OVenn was one of the most eager to do it. She marched Sophia forward, speaking all the time at a volume the watching inhabitants of the orphanage were sure to hear.

Did you think that you would be out in the world for long? she demanded. The Masked Goddess demands that her debts are paid! Did you think that a shameless thing like you could avoid it just by giving herself to some rich man?

Was that a guess, or did they somehow know what Sophia had been doing? If so, how could they?

Look at her, Sister OVenn called to the watching children. Look at what happens to the ingrates and the runaways. The Masked Goddess gives you shelter here, asking only work in return! She gives you the chance of lives filled with meaning. Reject that and this is the price!

Sophia could feel the fear of the orphans around her, so many thoughts together forming a wave of it. A few debated helping her, but there was never any real chance of it. Most were simply grateful that it wasnt them.

Sophia fought as they dragged her to the courtyard, but it made no difference. Perhaps Kate could have battled her way clear of them, but Sophia had never been a fighter. Shed been the clever one, only she hadnt been clever enough. Shed been caught, and now

now there was a post awaiting her at the center of the courtyard, its intention obvious.

There were jeers from some of the children there as the nuns led Sophia to that post, and that hurt almost more than the rest of it. She knew why they were doing it, because if shed been up there she would have joined in, if only to ensure that she wouldnt be singled out for some punishment. Even so, Sophia felt tears in her eyes as she looked around at the anger in some of the young faces watching.

She was going to be a warning to them. For the rest of their lives, they would think about her anytime they thought about escaping.

Sophia called out with her powers as they tied her to the post, pressing her face to it and holding her in place with ropes of rough hemp.

Kate, help! They caught me!

There was no answer, though, as the nuns continued to tie Sophia in place like some sacrifice to the darker things people had worshipped before the Masked Goddess. She screamed for help with all the mental effort she could summon, but it didnt seem to make any difference.

The nuns took their time. This was obviously intended to be about theater as much as pain. Or maybe they just didnt want Sophia able to give with any of the blows that followed to reduce their sting.

Once Sophia was tied in place, the nuns led some of the younger children in, making them look at her as though she were some wild beast caught in a menagerie.

We must be grateful, Sister OVenn said. We must be humble. We must repay the Masked Goddess what we owe her for her gifts. Fail, and there is a price. This girl ran. This girl was arrogant enough to set herself above the goddesss will. This girl was wanton and proud.

She said it like a judge passing sentence, even before she moved close to Sophia. It was starting to rain now, and Sophia could feel the cold of it in the dark.

Repent, she said. Repent your sins, and pay the goddess the price for your forgiveness!

Shell suffer either way, but she must choose.

Sophia could see the same sentiment in the thoughts of the others. They meant to hurt her just as much regardless of what she said. There was no point in trying to lie and beg forgiveness, because the truth was that even the meekest of the sisters there wanted to hurt her. They wanted to do it as an example to the others, because they genuinely believed that it would be good for her soul, or simply because they liked watching people hurt. Sister OVenn was one of the latter.

Im sorry, Sophia said. She could see the others there, drinking in her words. Im sorry I didnt run twice as fast! You should all run, she shouted to the children there. They cant stop all of you. They cant catch all of you!

Sister OVenn slapped her head against the wood of the punishment post, then shoved a length of dowel between Sophias teeth so roughly it was a miracle she didnt snap any.

So that you dont bite your tongue screaming, she said with a mock sweetness that had nothing to do with the things Sophia could see in her mind. Sophia could understand Kates urge for revenge then, her wish to burn it down around them. She would have set light to Sister OVenn without a second thought.

The masked sister brought out a whip, testing it where Sophia could see. It was an evil-looking thing, with multiple strands of leather, all with knots along their length. It was the kind of thing that could bruise and tear, far harsher than any of the belts or rods that had been used to beat Sophia in the past. She tried to struggle clear of her bonds, but it made no difference. The best she could hope for was to stand there defiantly as they punished her.

When Sister OVenn struck her for the first time, Sophia almost bit through the wooden dowel. Agony exploded through her back, and she could feel it tearing open under the blows.

Please, Kate she sent, please!

Again, there was the sensation of her words floating off without connection, without answer. Had her sister heard them? It was impossible to know, when there was no reply. Sophia could only hang there, and hope, and call for her.

Sophia tried not to scream at first, if only to deny Sister OVenn what she really wanted, but the truth was that there was no holding it at bay when pain like fire burned across her back. Sophia screamed with every impact, until it felt as though there was nothing left within her.

When they finally pulled the dowel from her mouth, Sophia tasted blood on it.

Do you repent now, you evil girl? the masked sister demanded.

Sophia would have killed her if there had been even a moments opportunity, would have run a thousand times if she thought that there was a chance she could get away. Even so, she forced her sobbing body to nod, hoping that she could look contrite enough.

Please, she begged. Im sorry. I shouldnt have run.

Sister OVenn leaned in close enough to laugh at her then. Sophia could see the anger there, and the hunger for more.

Do you think I cant tell when a girl is lying? she demanded. I should have known from the moment you came here that you were a wicked thing, given where you came from. Ill make you properly penitent, though. Ill beat the wickedness out of you if I have to!

She turned to the others there, and Sophia hated the fact that they were still just watching, still as statues, frightened into immobility. Why werent they helping her? Why werent they at least recoiling in horror, running from the House of the Unclaimed to get as far away from the things it did as they could? They all just stood there while Sister OVenn stalked in front of them, her bloodied scourge hanging in her hand.