Thraxas and the Oracle by Martin Scott

Author:Martin Scott
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Literature & Fiction, Sword & Sorcery, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2015-01-22T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

It takes us another two days to complete our rendezvous with the Simnian army. Both days pass uneventfully. That doesn’t stop me from worrying about Deeziz the Unseen. There’s no telling what her next move will be. For those of us aware of her presence, it adds a whole new level of anxiety to the already stressful business of going to war. Reports from Makri suggest that Lisutaris’s thazis intake is on the rise.

“It wouldn’t be so bad if I had proper access to beer,” I tell Makri. “But the Sorcerers Auxiliary Regiment is sadly under-supplied. It’s a bad oversight on Lisutaris’s part. It makes you wonder if she’s fit for the job.”

I stare rather mournfully at the empty tankard in my hand. “I’ve completely run out, and that corrupt fool of a quartermaster refuses to hand over any of tomorrow’s supply in advance. How am I supposed to function like this? It’s no wonder I can’t catch Deeziz. If I was back in Turai I’d be full of beer by now, probably slumped happily on my couch.”

“That never really helped with your investigations,” says Makri.

“Of course it helped.”

“Only in your imagination.”

“It wouldn’t be so bad if wasn’t for that prig Anumaris. I was half-way through concocting a promising scheme with Droo for purloining extra supplies when she butted in and started lecturing us about our duties. As if snatching a little extra beer was going to harm the war effort. I’m starting to loathe the woman.

“She’s efficient and does everything properly,” says Makri. “You should be pleased to have her.”

I glare at Makri. “I’m not taking lectures from a woman who’s currently hiding in my wagon because her Elvish ex-lover is delivering messages to our War Leader.”

“Keep your voice down,” says Makri. “He’s close, he might hear us.”

“How long is this going to go on for?”

“Until the war ends and the Elves all go back home. Or I get killed. Either one.”

“You’re going to have to face him some time.”

“No I’m not.”

“Yes you are.”

“No, I’m really not going to do that,” says Makri. “I’m going to keep hiding till it’s all over. I can never face See-ath again and that’s all there is to it. Also I’m never having a lover again. Probably I won’t talk to any Elves either, just to be safe.”

“What if you’re guarding Lisutaris at some vital moment and he appears? Are you going to run away?”

“I’m hoping that doesn’t happen.”

I shake my head, and peer out of the flap. See-ath is disappearing in the opposite direction. I tell Makri he’s gone. She sits up.

“I should never have got involved with an Elf.”

“Getting involved wasn’t the problem. It was the death threats afterwards that made the situation awkward. Does your wish never to talk to Elves again extend to female Elves?”

“I’m not sure. Why?”

“Because I’ve been meaning to question Hanama about her new Elvish companion. An unknown woman with an unknown past. Not the sort of person who should be close to Lisutaris, given our present difficulties.

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