The Mirror's Truth by Michael R. Fletcher

Author:Michael R. Fletcher [Fletcher, Michael R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Michael R. Fletcher
Published: 2016-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

Stehlen and Lebendig, concealed in a copse of stunted trees on the Gottlos side of the bridge, sat astride their horses watching Wichtig ride south upon his sway-backed mare.

Lebendig nodded at the third horse—an ill-tempered and proud white stallion—they had taken from the garrison stables. “That was his?”

“Yes.”

The stallion’s saddlebags were crammed with stolen wealth.

“Why is Wichtig wearing a bed sheet?”

“I threw all the clothes in the midden pit.”

“Funny.” Lebendig watched the Swordsman ride from view. Even from here they could see he wobbled unsteadily in the saddle. “Why didn’t you kill him?”

“He’s an idiot.”

“Dangerous idiot.”

Stehlen shrugged. “I took everything he had. Eventually he’ll figure out it was me. He’ll know, once again, I have beaten him.”

“Why do you care what he thinks?”

The question froze Stehlen, caused her nostrils to flare with anger. She spat.

“You left him a sword,” said Lebendig.

“Only one.” The other she wore strapped across her back.

“Stehlen?”

Stehlen turned to face the Swordswoman, saw concern in her eyes. “Hm?”

“If we’re going to travel together, we need to talk about the why.”

Stehlen’s heart froze and her jaw ached. She closed her eyes for a few heart beats before opening them and asking, “Why we’re together?”

The Swordswoman’s eyes softened Stehlen’s heart. “We know that. I mean why we are travelling at all. Where are we going? Why are we going there? What are we going to do when we arrive?”

“I’m a Kleptic.”

“So thievery will probably be involved.” Lebendig flashed a smile so fast Stehlen almost missed it. “I already knew that.” She nodded in the direction Wichtig had ridden. “Why are we following him.”

Is that jealousy? Could Lebendig be jealous of Stehlen’s past with Wichtig? Stehlen wanted to reach out and touch the Swordswoman, to crush any doubts the woman may have. She couldn’t. Her hand never moved. Her mouth refused to open. Speak. You have to say something. Don’t let her think you don’t care.

“I’m going to kill him,” said Stehlen.

Lebendig gave the tiniest hint of a shrug and Stehlen had no idea what it meant. Was it disbelief or acceptance?

“But first we follow,” said Lebendig. “He’s leading us somewhere?”

“Yes.”

The Swordswoman pursed her lips, nodded curt approval. “What’s the plan?”

Stehlen laughed, a nasal snort of derision. “I can’t tell you the plan because I don’t have one. I’m going to follow Wichtig to Bedeckt because I know the idiot will lead me right to the old bastard. When I find them, I want them together.”

“Why together?”

“Don’t know. I’ll decide that when the time comes. I’m intentionally not making a decision.” Stehlen swallowed and pushed on. She never told anyone any of this and it felt odd to share such a deep part of who she was. Wichtig would have mocked and Bedeckt would have looked at her like she was mad. “Decisions are pointless because you never know when you’ll need to change your mind and if you’ve already decided something, you’ll make a liar of yourself.”

“But you’re a Kleptic,” said Lebendig. “I thought lying—”

“Taking has nothing to do with lying.

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