Crack'd Pot Trail by Steven Erikson

Author:Steven Erikson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781848630574
Publisher: PS Publishing
Published: 2009-03-15T04:00:00+00:00

The march resumed, because time yields to no reins, nor its plodding course turned aside by wishes or will. The mules cloppled, the carriage clattered, the horses snorted, and we who would claim to exception and privilege among all the things of this world, we measured each and every step in bitter humiliation. Oh, we stood taller in our minds, as is reason’s hollow gift, but what do such conceits avail us in the end?

Sixty paces ahead rose the tumulus announcing the wellspring, the heap of stones fluttering with bleached rags stuffed in cracks like banners of the crushed. But of Nifty Gum and his Entourage of Two there was no sign.

Snarling under his breath,Tulgord Vise kicked his horse into a canter, riding for the spring. Dust swirled like a mummer’s cape in his wake. With a click of his tongue Steck Marynd rode out to one side and stood in his stirrups, scanning the horizons.

Calap Roud and Brash Phluster drew close to me.

“This is bad, Flicker,” Calap muttered with low breath. “We can maybe eat Sellup tonight, if she ain’t gone foul by then.”

“We should eat her now,” Brash interjected. “Thatd save us all for another night, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t it? We got to suggest it— you do it, Flicker. Go on—”

“Good sir,” said I, “I am of no mind whatsoever to suggest such a heinous thing. Tell me, would you have her complain all the while? While a single piece of her flesh exists, the curse of the unliving remains—what eternal torment would you consign to the poor lass? Besides,” I added, “I know little of the art of necromancy, but it occurs to me that such flesh is itself poison to the living. Will you risk becoming an undead?”

Brash licked his lips, his face white. “Gods below!”

“What if Nifty got away?” Calap demanded. “It’s impossible. He must be hiding out there somewhere. Him and his women. His kind get all the luck! Think of it, he’s got an undying fan! I’d kill for that!”

“Calap Roud,” said I, “your tale of the Imass is cause for concern. Where it leads ...”

“But it’s all I got, Flicker! The only one I remember word for word—”

“Hold on!” said Brash. “It ain’t yours? That’s cheating!”

“No it isn’t. Nobody said it had to be our own compositions. This isn’t the Festival. They just want to be entertained, so if you need to steal then steal! Gods, listen to me. I’m giving you advice! My rival. Both of you! Flicker, listen! It’s your story that’s going to get us all killed. You’re too close to what’s really going on here—”

“Am I? I think not, sir. Besides, my task now is quite different from the one you two face.”

“That was some fancy trickery from you, too! She knows we can do a day or three without food. She only has to make sure you outlive me and Phluster, and then you can make the last long run to the ferry landing. You’re in cahoots, and don’t deny it!”

Brash Phluster smirked.

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