Changer by Jane Lindskold

Author:Jane Lindskold [Lindskold, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, King Arthur, New Mexico, coyote, southwest
Publisher: Obsidian Tiger Books
Published: 2011-12-16T00:13:13+00:00

16

Ogni debole ha sempre il suo tiranno.

(Every weakling has his tyrant.)

—Italian proverb

That evening, with as little ceremony as when they had arrived, the Changer and Shahrazad prepare to depart Arthur’s hacienda. Shahrazad is at least richer by a name; the Changer has gained only a host of troubling conjectures and a few outfits.

“If you don’t mind,” he says to Arthur, “I’ll leave all the clothes here except for the stuff I’m wearing.”

“No trouble at all, my good fellow,” Arthur responds. “We have lots of closets. Why don’t you stash your things in the guest room you were using?”

The Changer nods. He has already done so. The clothes he wears are simple: jeans, a lightweight shirt, socks, and sandals. One pocket of the jeans holds a folded plastic bag, another some money.

“Why don’t you wait for me in the front foyer?” Arthur suggests. “I’ll go pull the van around.”

As soon as the Changer enters the foyer, Shahrazad trailing at his heels aware that some adventure is about to begin, Amphitrite drifts in to join them.

“Have a good time, brother.”

“Thank you.”

She kneels and rubs Shahrazad behind her ears. “And you be good, little one.”

Shahrazad wags her tail enthusiastically.

“And don’t forget your aunt.”

The Changer frowns. “That is precisely what I am hoping she will do. Despite my best efforts, she is too tame.”

Amphitrite rises, light as sea-foam on a wave. “Perhaps she is clever enough to know enemy from friend.”

“Then she is smarter than most of us.”

“True.”

They share a laugh. The thump of crutches is heard, and Eddie comes in to join them. His leg is healing nicely, but he is being careful with it. The only thing worse than a broken leg is an eternal limp from a badly healed break. The Smith knows this and warned Eddie during his visit. It has been millennia since the fall that shattered his leg and hip, and he still limps.

“Ready to head out, Changer?”

“I am.”

“I’m sorry we didn’t learn who killed your family.”

“So am I.”

“I hope that the visit was not a complete waste of time.”

“Not at all. I learned who did not do it. That narrows the field somewhat.”

“Than you are not giving up?”

“No.”

Anson slides down the banister and bounces lightly when he lands. “You didn’t expect him to, now, did you? He’s not one to forget a wrong—at least not a wrong so large.”

The Changer only smiles politely, but something in his yellow eyes glints agreement.

“What are you doing next, sister?” he asks Amphitrite, pointedly turning the conversation from himself.

“Going to South America with Vera and Lovern. I want to see these rain forests and mountains and endangered creatures.”

“Ah.”

Anson briskly rubs his long-fingered hands together. “And if South America is not enough, Lady Queen, give me a call and I’ll take you to Africa. You want to see problems? There I can show you problems!”

Amphitrite smiles at his enthusiasm but doesn’t overlook the sorrow in his dark brown eyes. “I would if I could, Sir Spider, but my magical lease on legs will not last much longer.

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