The Dragon with the Girl Tattoo by Adam Roberts

Author:Adam Roberts [Roberts, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Policier, Parodie
ISBN: 9780575100923
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2010-11-17T23:00:00+00:00

The worst of it, she thought, was that she couldn’t go home to collect her gear. Without her gear she was severely limited in terms of what she could do. It was not just a question of money; although money would obviously be a problem. It was all the other stuff.

At the building’s main entrance Lizbreath almost collided with a well-proportioned middle-aged male dragon coming the other way. Her heart thrummed for a moment, thinking that he might be one of Burnblast’s goons; but the way – after she knocked accidentally into his left wing – he leapt back with a mouselike shriek led her to believe that he was not possessed of the physical bravery and ruthlessness to work as a goon. ‘Sorry,’ she said.

‘You could be a little more careful!’ he noted.

‘In a hurry,’ she said, and started sliding past him.

‘Wait!’ he cried. ‘Can you help me? I’m looking for a researcher.’

‘Plenty of those inside.’

‘I’m looking for one in particular. Lizbreath somebody. I’ve sent here several ravens, and she simply has not replied. It’s, well it’s rude but, more than that, it’s awkward. I need this research doing, and… well.’

Lizbreath curled her head back round. ‘Lizbreath Salamander?’ she said.

‘That’s the name!’

‘I’m her. Are you Käal?’

‘How did you know that?’ Käal returned, a little suspiciously.

‘You sent me those ravens.’

‘Ah,’ said Käal, with a look of relief on his face, as if the workings of a baffling magic trick had been revealed to him. ‘Yes. You didn’t reply!’

‘I’ve been busy,’ said Lizbreath. ‘But now I’m all yours. You’re up at the Vagner place, aren’t you? That floating island?’

‘Yes. And it’s quite important,’ said Käal. ‘Indeed, in light of recent developments, it’s become really quite important, that you do some of that research thingie that you do.’

‘So,’ said Lizbreath, scanning the road up and down to check that Human – or any other Burnblast hench-dragon types – weren’t heading straight for her. ‘Basically you want me to find out what happened to Hellfire Vagner, who disappeared without trace three hundred years ago. Is that right?’

‘Spot on.’

‘OK,’ said Lizbreath. ‘I’ll do it.’ Käal’s face lit up. Literally. ‘But,’ Lizbreath added, ‘I need to see the island. I can’t research a paper trail here in Starkhelm. That won’t get any closer to the solution of the mystery. I need to be there. On the ground.’

‘Well, I don’t know,’ said Käal, looking perplexed. ‘It’s a terribly exclusive place. They’ve an eye above and another below to monitor who comes and goes. It’s not the sort of place you just sneak onto.’

‘I’m not suggesting I sneak on. I’m suggesting that when you go back you take me with you as your officially credited researcher. Introduce me to Helltrik himself. Once I’m there, I’ll be able to help you solve the mystery. Otherwise – no deal.’

Käal pondered this. ‘Well, all right,’ he said. ‘When do you want to come?’

‘Right now.’

‘Don’t you want to go back to your place, pack an overnight bag, that sort of thing?’

‘Nope,’ said Lizbreath.

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