Liar's Bargain by Tim Pratt

Author:Tim Pratt
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780765384300
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group

18

A DIALOGUE

“Maybe the horses know the way back home?” Eldra gestured to the remaining animals, who were stamping nervously, aware of all the commotion but not entirely panicked. At least the Nirmathi hadn’t managed to put arrows in them. That was the nice thing about fighting a disorganized rabble. The revolutionaries weren’t as systematic in their ruthlessness as more well-trained forces would have been.

“I suppose that’s an option.” Rodrick had visions of them riding aimlessly on their horses as the beasts followed the smells of grass and water and eventually led them either to a camp of angry Nirmathi or a settlement of equally angry (for different reasons) Molthuni.

“It will do in the absence of an actual plan, anyway. Perhaps we’ll meet a kindly woodcutter who can give us directions.”

Rodrick opened his mouth to say something scathing, but then realized that Eldra, despite being foreign and entirely too fancy-looking to fit in among these coarse forest folk, probably could charm someone into giving her directions, and possibly an armed escort, too.

Prinn dropped out of a nearby tree, landed in a crouch, then slowly rose and walked toward them. His shoulder was seeping blood, but not badly, and he’d managed to get the arrow out, the gods alone only knew how. Since Rodrick hadn’t seen him climb that particular tree, that meant he’d been traveling among the treetops themselves, going from branch to branch through the forest. There was no denying the man had talent. It was a shame his personality alternated between “crazed mink” and “plank of wood.”

“Prinn!” Eldra said. “Merihim and Bannerman escaped with Zumani. We’re supposed to meet them in Tamran. I don’t suppose you know the way back?”

Prinn stared off in the distance, and after a long moment, nodded. He swiftly packed up his belongings, and Rodrick and Eldra followed suit, though not as rapidly: cleaning up a campsite while warily trying to watch the forest in all directions in case of ambush was a complicated affair. Once they had their gear stowed on the horses, Prinn mounted and took the lead. He didn’t seem in any great rush, his horse proceeding at slightly more than a walk, as Prinn swiveled his head left and right in endless arcs, watching for enemies, or omens, or who knew what.

After a time the trees thinned out and they reached a better-maintained path, and Eldra nudged her horse up to ride alongside Prinn. “May I ask you a question?” she said.

He shrugged.

“Is there a reason you only speak to Merihim, and never say a word to anyone else?”

Prinn looked at her for a prolonged interval, then nodded.

“Aha.” Eldra smiled. “Did you make … some sort of a vow?”

Another long look, then a shrug.

“Hmm. But you don’t mind communicating, clearly, so perhaps we can still talk, in a way?”

Shrug.

Rodrick tried to decide if what he was feeling was incredulity or jealousy or both. Was Eldra trying to charm Prinn? If so, would she actually succeed? Maybe he should insert himself into the conversation.

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