Book 1 - Bleak Seasons Read Online Free Page B

a
lunatic but not a complete fool. He believes he keeps the job
separate from personalities. If Goblin claimed we were in big
trouble he would listen.
    Alarms sounded everywhere. Shouts of anger at being anticipated
rose outside the wall.
    The civilian population began to respond. Fear swept the
darkened streets. This felt bigger than usual. As always, the
old-timers among the Jaicuri recalled the first coming of the
Shadowmasters. Back then the enemy first wave consisted of deadly
flickers of darkness.
    “One-Eye. Any shadows out there?”
    “Won’t be any of those, Murgen. They have to come up
from Shadowcatch. Longshadow would have to be in on it.”
    “Good.” I’ve seen what the shadows can do, on
a small scale. The Jaicuri were right to be scared.
    “I promise you some sorcery, though. It’s already
gathering.”
    “I love how you can always cheer me up, runt.” I
surveyed the walls beyond our section. Hard to see much but it
looked like any assault would meet a ready defense.
    Which meant nothing if Spinner was in good form.
    “Murgen!”
    “What?”
    “Behind you.”
    I looked.
    Ky Dam, Speaker of the Nyueng Bao, accompanied by a son and some
grandsons, by gesture asked if he could come up to the battlements.
Only the son was armed. He was a squat, emotionless man rumored to
be some kind of master swordsman. I nodded. “Welcome
aboard.”
    The Speaker looked like he was about a thousand years older than
One-Eye but was spry enough to climb without help. He didn’t
have a lot of himself to move around. His hair was evenly
distributed around his head and face but very little of it
remained. It consisted of white wisps. He was covered with liver
spots. His skin color had faded. He was more pallid than some of us
northerners.
    He bowed slightly.
    I responded in kind, trying to match his bow exactly. That would
indicate an honor between equals, which ought to earn me some good
guy points because, although junior in years, I was senior here
because he was on Company ground and I was Company top dog.
    Clever me, I make every effort to be polite to the Speaker. And
I keep reminding the guys to be respectful and protective of all
Nyueng Bao, even if provoked. I am trying to encourage the taking
of a longer view than is usual with ordinary people.
    We have no friends anywhere in these strange lands.
    Ky Dam faced the darkened plain. His presence was strong. Many
Jaicuri believe he is a sorcerer. Goblin and One-Eye say he can be
called a wizard in the word’s most archaic sense, of wise
man.
    The old boy drew a breath that seemed to enhance his aura of
strength. “It will be different tonight.” He spoke
mainstream Taglian with no accent.
    “Their master has recovered his powers.”
    The Speaker glanced at me sharply, then at Goblin and One-Eye.
“Ah. So.”
    “Exactly.” I’ve always wanted to do that when
some old fart made cryptic noises. I couldn’t help myself
when the perfect opportunity arrived.
    I eyeballed the Speaker’s escort. The swordmaster seemed
too squat and bulky for his reputation. Such as it was. Not a lot
crosses the cultural boundary.
    The grandsons looked like most Nyueng Bao men in their prime.
Like if they smiled, or showed any emotion whatsoever, they would
forfeit their souls. Like they had cactus plugs up their butts, in
Goblin’s words.
    I went on with my work while Ky Dam considered the night. His
escort stayed out of my way.
    Big Bucket checked in. “All set, boss.”
    And the Shadowmaster’s men sounded like they were ready to
play. Their horns began calling like bulls in rut. I grumbled,
“It won’t be long.” They could put it off for
another twenty years, though. I wouldn’t mind. I was in no
hurry.
    A Taglian messenger stumbled up from the street, fought for
breath, croaked out word that Mogaba wanted me.
    “On my way. Less than five minutes,” I told him. I
scanned the darkness. “Hold the fort, Bucket.”
    “Just what this outfit needs. Another