The Unwanted Brothers by Aaron Galvin

Author:Aaron Galvin
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Aames & Abernathy Publishing
Published: 2020-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

6

CHIDI

Henry shoved Chidi across the threshold of the guest quarters lent to them.

She retreated into the corner while her owner paced the floor, raging in French of the terrible things he would do if Lenny Dolan were in his charge. For now, she remained silent, fearing Henry’s fury would only heighten when she relayed the message the half-blooded Nomad, Ishmael, ordered her give.

Henry plucked the cork stopper from a rust-hued bottle of grog and tossed it. He placed the lip to his mouth and upended it.

Chidi listened to him guzzle it down. She had rarely seen him drink, but when he did . . .

She recalled with distinct clarity it wouldn’t be long before he looked to her as an outlet for his madness. Her eyes searched the room for a place to hide. A door to wedge behind until Henry tired or passed out from the liquor.

The bottle shattering on the driftwood floor made her jump. She spun and caught Henry leering at her. He wiped the last traces of alcohol from his lips with the back of his hand and started toward her. Please, no . . . not again.

A knock came at the door and it opened without the guest waiting for an answer. Tieran stood in the entryway. He grinned slyly. “This a bad time?”

“Oui,” said Henry. “Get out.”

Tieran strolled in anyway. “Sorry, mate. Just come from the testing pit, I have. Impressive new lot you and the nipperkin brought back.” Tieran helped himself to the liquor stores and poured a shot. “I’ll warrant they’ll fatten all our purses tomorrow. Might even be one or two make it a month on the reef circuits.”

Tieran took the shot down easily, then poured himself another. “I’ve come to pick up those extra suits you brought back.”

“Buy,” said Henry.

“Sorry?”

“You’ve come to buy the suits. Not pick up.”

Tieran feigned offense as he took the second shot. “What do you take me for, Henry? Always been fair with the trade, I have. So come on, let’s see ‘em.”

Chidi slid away to the opposite wall as Henry took the three hooded suits off the bed and unrolled them across the dining table. Tieran picked up the silvery suit first, a twin to the hooded garment Henry wore.

“A Leper suit, eh,” said Tieran, unfolding the suit to inspect it. “Don’t see these much outside the capital. Who’d you kill for it?”

Henry’s eyes narrowed at the question.

Tieran chuckled nervously. “Meaning no offense, mate,” he said. “Don’t matter to ol’ Tieran where you got it, now does it? How much you want for it?”

“A thousand,” said Henry.

Tieran whistled. “A pretty price for a pretty suit, that is. Don’t suppose you’d do four hundred and I’ll toss in this ol’ thing?” Tieran tugged at his own Common Seal hood, worn and ragged.

Henry stepped closer. “A thousand.”

“All right, all right.” Tieran backed away. “No need to get nasty. Can’t blame ol’ Tieran for trying now, can you? As it happens, I know just the pup for this coat.

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