Bane and Shadow by Jon Skovron

Author:Jon Skovron [Skovron, Jon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ficion, Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2017-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

16

Are we sure about this?” Alash asked nervously.

Hope had been about to knock on Luscious Lymestria’s dressing room. She paused, her knuckles only an inch from the grimy, scratched wooden door.

“Are you nervous?” she asked, unable to keep the amusement out of her voice. “After all we’ve encountered?”

“Yes, well, typically you do the encountering, while I stay behind to fire the cannons and such.” He smiled weakly.

“He is nervous,” said Jilly, more contemptuous than amused. “Sometimes I can’t believe you and Red are even related.”

Hope gave Jilly a long look. “A Vinchen strives to maintain empathy for the weak, not scorn.”

Jilly looked down at the boots Hope had bought her. “Sorry, teacher.”

Hope turned back to Alash. “It’s going to be fine. As far as I can tell, Lymestria has one formidable weapon in her arsenal, and breasts can’t actually hurt you.”

“Miss Hope!” Alash’s face reddened.

Hope laughed, then knocked on the door. “Ms. Lymestria? We’re friends of Broomefedies. Can we speak with you a moment?”

The door opened to reveal Lymestria, now in a dressing gown only loosely tied at the front. She did not appear to be wearing anything underneath. She gave Hope and Jilly haughty looks, but when she saw Alash, her expression warmed.

“I suppose I could spare a few minutes of my time,” she said at last.

“Thank you, we’ll be brief, then,” said Hope as she took off her hat and followed Lymestria into the small dressing room. “Do you know Old Yammy?”

“Doesn’t everyone?” Lymestria’s eyes remained riveted on Alash.

“We hear she’s been taken to the Empty Cliffs,” said Hope. “We intend to rescue her.”

“How marvelous for her,” said Lymestria without enthusiasm. “It’s a dreadful place.”

“Yes…,” said Hope as she watched Lymestria examine Alash’s jacket and cravat. “We, uh, understand you spent a year there and we were hoping you could give us some insight on the security and defenses.”

Lymestria finally turned to Hope. “I’ll tell you all I know about the place, if you let me borrow this one tonight.” She pinched Alash’s cheek.

Alash was too shocked to respond, so Hope asked, “Borrow?”

“I have a party tonight and a handsome-looking lacy like this on my arm will do wonders for my reputation.”

“A party?” Alash looked terrified. “I’m not… terribly good at parties, you see. I may not—that is, perhaps I’m not an ideal escort for you, Miss Lymestria.”

“Nonsense. You’re adorable. A little fine-tuning, perhaps…” She put a hand on each of his shoulders and pushed him out of his habitual slouch. Then she took his chin between her thumb and forefinger and tilted it up slightly. Finally she brushed a few stray hairs at his temples back behind his ears. “But they’ll all think I’ve got a rich benefactor who’s utterly smitten with my charms.”

“He doesn’t actually have any money anymore,” said Hope. “In case that was part of your plan.”

“The truth is irrelevant. If I show up with him, I won’t even need to say anything about it. The gossipmongers will do all the work for me.”

“Alash is an extremely valuable member of my crew,” said Hope.

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