Read Swords: 06 - The Third Book of Lost Swords - Stonecutter's Story Online
Authors: Fred Saberhagen
Swords: 06 - The Third Book of Lost Swords - Stonecutter's Story (23 page)
“I dared not try to trick him unless I could have the real Sword in hand to do so—but I could not explain its presence to you ahead of time. Hence my sleight of hand substitution.”
“You might have taken me into your confidence completely.”
“It is natural that you should be bitter. But I could not be sure of your reaction … at any rate, my task became much easier, once we had got Valamo out of the way.
There was nothing to do with such a man in such a situation, except to kill him.”
Wen Chang looked grim for a long moment, then his features relaxed. “Once the Juggler had been removed from the game board, and the Sword was back in the tunnel-diggers’ hands, it was not hard to distract everyone for a few necessary hours with fears of a Blue Temple robbery. In return for my help, Natalia agreed to finally return the Sword to me in the rather impressively dramatic manner that you all witnessed.”
“She is a remarkable young woman.”
“She is indeed.”
And now both men fell silent. The little cavalcade they led was now closely approaching one of the great land gates of the city. It was in fact the same gate by which they had entered Eylau only a few days ago. Just ahead, troopers of the Watch were probing with lances and swords into a wagonload of refuse that was being hauled out of the city.
Kasimir whispered a question. “I wonder—will he manage to get out?”
Wen Chang made no reply. The refuse wagon was moving on, and now it was their turn to ride up to the gate. The Watch officer who was in charge saluted the imposing figure of the Magistrate, held brief conversation with him, and then reached into the guard post at the center of the gateway to get a copy of the roster of recent travelers.
He consulted the list, then once more faced Wen Chang respectfully. “Yes sir, here you are—the merchant Ching Hao and party, fourteen men in all.” Swiftly but accurately the officer counted. “Pass on.”
Kasimir rode on out through the gate without turning in his saddle to glance behind him. He rode on without looking back, though he could remember perfectly well that when the little column left the inn there had been only ten uniformed troopers riding behind Lieutenant Komi. One man, the lieutenant had said, had fallen ill while visiting his relatives in the Desert Quarter, and would be rejoining his unit later.
So, counting the officer, Wen Chang, and Kasimir himself, that ought to make a company of thirteen men in all. And now there were fourteen. But Kasimir was not going to turn around and look. Not for nothing had he spent the last few days in the company of Wen Chang.
About The Author
Fred Saberhagen is widely published in many areas of speculative fiction. He is best known for his Berserker, Swords, and Dracula series. Less known are the myth based fantasies: Books of the Gods. Fred also authored a number of non-series fantasy and science fiction novels and a great number of short stories. For more information on Fred visit his website: www.fredsaberhagen.com
