Sword Dance by A.J. Demas

Author:A.J. Demas [Demas, A.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sexton's Cottage
Published: 2019-07-30T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER XII

DAMISKOS WOKE IN the dark, jerked awake by a flurry of noise: the crash of the door hitting the bed on the opposite side of the room as it swung open; running feet outside. He pushed himself up, blinking blearily around the room. He’d been sleeping in an awkward position, face-down on top of the rumpled coverlet, with his tunic on and still belted.

Moonlight from the open door showed the other bed in the room still made—halfheartedly—and empty. He caught a whiff of smoke as if a lamp had recently been extinguished. He rolled out of bed and went to the door.

Varazda was coming up the stairs to the gallery, barefoot and pyjama-clad, with Damiskos’s short sword in his hand.

“Didn’t catch him,” he whispered when he reached the top of the stairs. “Not that I know what I’d have done if I had.” He handed the sword ruefully back to Damiskos. “It wasn’t Gelon, though. It was one of the others. Which is worrying, because it means it’s not just Gelon having it in for me personally. They all think I’m a threat. My cover, as we say in the business, appears to be blown.”

“That’s bad.”

Varazda nodded. “I scared him off, whoever he was, which means either they’ll leave us alone for the rest of the night—or they’ll send more than one next time.”

“I’ll take the watch now.”

“Good.” Varazda yawned elegantly. “I was going to wake you shortly anyway.”

They were back in the room by this time, but the door was still open, and Damiskos saw what he’d missed when he’d been jolted awake.

“Terza’s head, did I fall asleep in your bed?”

“Mm-hm. When I struggled back upstairs with the extra mattress, you were passed out there with the lamp still burning. I didn’t disturb you.”

“Gods. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, it’s fine. The other bed is just as comfortable. I left the light burning too—I’m not sure I’d have been able to keep awake in the dark. I just blew it out when I heard noises from outside, so they’d think I was asleep. I can light it for you again if you want.”

“No, I’m going to sit outside on the gallery. They know we know what they’re up to now—we don’t need to worry about the element of surprise.”

“Can I have my bed back, then?”

“Please.”

He collapsed gracefully onto it, pulling the covers around himself, and pressed his face into the pillow, drawing a deep breath.

“Mmmm. Smells like soldier.”

“I’m sorry,” said Damiskos stiffly.

One dark eye looked up at him from the pillow. “I don’t know if you’ve worked this out, First Spear,” came Varazda’s muffled voice, “but I fancy soldiers.”

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