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Shadows Return

Shadows Return

Titel: Shadows Return Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Lynn Flewelling
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the queen was looking for an excuse to cast doubt on her sister’s loyalty, our disappearance with the only missive might be a good starting point.”
    “What about Prince Korathan? Would he do something like that to you?”
    Seregil frowned. “I wouldn’t have said so, but who knows? If things are really that bad, there isn’t much point in going back to Skala.”
    “Do you think Micum knows we’re in trouble yet? Thero must have figured out there was something wrong when the messages didn’t come.”
    “We don’t know that they didn’t get them, Alec. Whoever caught us might have figured the sticks out and used them. There’s no way of telling. It’s just us, talí. We’re on our own.”
    Alec shrugged. “Well, we’re free, and we’re together. That’s a start.”
    Seregil’s grin was all the answer he needed.

CHAPTER 39
    Thero Turns Nightrunner

    LED BY THERO’S sightings, he and Micum entered Virésse as travelers and lost themselves in the crowds of one of the seedier dock wards. They soon located the tavern with the dragon and serpent sign—a low, dirty place frequented by Skalan and Plenimaran sailors, Zengati traders, and other rough sorts. There were no ’faie there, apart from the proprietor—a one-eyed Golinil clansman named Wharit. He was as dirty and disreputable as his clientele, distinguished only by his lack of facial hair and his filthy brown-and-white sen’gai. The barmaids and potboys were all foreigners, as were the whores plying their trade there.
    Micum stopped just inside the door and wrinkled his nose at the stink of smoke and unwashed bodies, then said softly, “This isn’t quite how I pictured Aurënen.”
    “Virésse port is a meeting place for all sorts.”
    Micum adjusted his sword belt for the benefit of anyone taking his measure. “That’s all right, then. I know how to act here.”
    They sat down at a small table and Micum called for a pitcher of turab from a passing barmaid, holding up a silver half-sester piece and giving her a rakish smile. The woman’s smile was bright and false as brass, but she brought them their beer and settled on Micum’s knee.
    “You got the sound of a Skalan, my dear,” she purred, eyeing the silver piece. She had a Riga accent and dark, sharp eyes.
    Micum tucked the coin between her ample breasts and squeezed her thigh, while Thero looked on with poorly concealed surprise. “I’m a long way from home, my girl, and always glad to see a pretty face. Even if she is too young for me.”
    The woman, who was most assuredly not too young for anyone, wiggled suggestively and stroked his stubbled cheek. “You’re a charmer. Will you want a room for sleeping, you and your friend?” She gave Thero a sloe-eyed look that made the younger man blush.
    “Indeed we will,” said Micum. “But not until we’ve had some hot food and a decent wash.” He produced another coin and held it up. “Can you help us with that?”
    “We have good food, and a tub in the yard out back.” She eyed the coin meaningfully. “For men I like, I can get you hot, fresh water.”
    Micum laughed and gave her another squeeze and the coin. “Ah, you’re honeycomb, girl, sweet as can be. What’s your name, my dove?”
    “Rose to you, handsome.”
    “Well, then, Rosie my love.” He set her on her feet and gave her a playful smack on the bottom. “Whatever you’ve got cooking back there, bring us the best of it and tell ’em to warm up that tub!”
    She laughed and flounced off toward the kitchens.
    “No wonder Kari wants you kept at home!” Thero exclaimed under his breath.
    Micum sipped his turab, smiling. “Time and place, my friend. All that dolly really wants is my silver.”
    “But what if she wants more?”
    “Well, Seregil generally used to handle that end of things when the need arose. But you’re welcome to step in, seeing as he’s not here.”
    “I don’t have the right sort of healing spells to risk it!”
    “Don’t be unkind. You don’t know the life she’s had, stuck in a place like this. She’s probably somebody’s grandmother by now, three or four times over. Now, as to why we’re here, about to risk a dose of slop belly on the food?”
    Thero palmed the tooth and closed his eyes. “He’s close, but not in this tavern.”
    “Well, then, let’s enjoy our dinner and this fine beer.”
             
    The turab was good, in fact, and so was the food, much to Thero’s amazement. Razor clams boiled with wine and

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