Demontech: Rally Point: 2 (Demontech Book 2) by David Sherman

Author:David Sherman [Sherman, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2003-02-03T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Some hours later, when they’d slept long enough to ease the worst of their exhaustion, they were jolted awake by a light rapping on the door of their room. The gibbous moon that looked in through the open window cast the room in sharp lights and shadows. They rolled out of their beds and groped silently for their weapons as they listened for a threat. The last inn they stayed in had looked friendly enough, but it held dangers they weren’t aware of right away. Eikby was surrounded by danger—they weren’t about to take any chances. It took a moment for them to remember where they were and where the attendant had put their weapons. They found them just as the rapping came again.

Spinner called out softly, “Who’s there?”

“It’s Maid Marigold,” a quiet voice came through the door.

“I’ll open it,” Haft whispered. He gave his axe a test swing as he edged his way to the door. “You get ready to light a lamp if it’s safe.”

“Right.” Spinner didn’t bother feeling for a lamp and tinder, if it was safe the serving girl was probably carrying a lamp to see by. If it wasn’t safe, he and Haft were better off in the deep shadows. He leveled his crossbow toward the door.

Haft stood in moonlight to the latch side of the door. He signaled he was ready.

Spinner moved a hand into the moonlight and signaled back, he was ready as well.

Haft hefted his axe with his right hand and edged into shadow. He reached for the latch and, with a fast motion, unlatched the door and flung it open.

Soft candlelight spilled through the open door, but no rushing attackers came with it.

“Who’s that with you?” Spinner asked from the deepest shadows of the room.

“A friend,” Maid Marigold whispered. “May we come in, please?” She looked nervously from side to side along the corridor.

“Quickly,” Spinner said.

Maid Marigold darted inside with another young woman on her heels. She closed and latched the door before Haft could reach it.

“Oh!” she exclaimed when they bumped reaching for the door. “I didn’t see you there,” she said breathlessly.

The two young women stood uncertainly for a long moment just inside the room; Maid Marigold held a candle, her companion bore a sack that looked to be heavily laden. Haft leaned against the door. He wanted to cross his arms over his chest, but couldn’t with the axe in his hand. He settled for propping his free hand on his hip and grinning crookedly.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of this unexpected but most welcome visit?”

“Well, we, ah, we . . . ,” Maid Marigold said with a sight tremor.

The strike of steel and flint interrupted her and they all looked to Spinner, who was lighting the lamp that stood on a small table between the two beds.

The women gasped when they saw the window’s shutters were open. The unnamed companion rushed over and shut them. “We aren’t supposed to be in here,” she whispered.

Haft’s eyes widened and he grinned broadly at Spinner—this could only mean one thing.

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