Liar's Island: A Novel Read Online Free Page A

up and down. He looked her up and down, too. She was lean and athletic, with short hair and dark, merry eyes. Not his usual type, which tended toward softer, more rounded women … except for her eyes. He liked those eyes. “You are Rodrick?” she said.
    He bowed as extravagantly as he could, given his continued drunkenness and the wobbliness of the gangplank under his feet. “I am.”
    â€œYou’re drunk.”
    â€œI hope no one promised you I’d be sober. I didn’t get that part of the message.”
    â€œLet me see the sword,” she said. “So I know you are who you claim to be.”
    Rodrick considered objecting that such a display would prove only that he had Rodrick’s sword , not that he was Rodrick himself, but then realized he’d be arguing against his own interests, which was seldom a wise policy. He shrugged and slid out a foot of Hrym’s length, the crystalline blade glittering in the light of the lanterns and sending up streamers of vapor.
    The woman’s demeanor changed entirely. She opened her arms wide and smiled, showing off a gold tooth, which Rodrick gathered was traditional for sea captains of all nations. You probably got hit in the mouth with swinging mizzenmasts and such all the time at sea, so a certain amount of decorative dentistry was to be expected. “I am Saraswati, and this is my ship. This is my first mate, Pia.” The older woman still glared at him, but now she gave a grudging nod. “Where are your bags? I’ll have someone help carry them.”
    He had a pack full of extra clothes and a bedroll and other useful things, but it was all back at the inn, which the little lord’s men were doubtless watching. He’d stolen most of it, anyway, so the loss didn’t sting that much—he could steal most of it again easily enough. Except for a very special cloak he’d acquired during his adventures up north last year, which had both practical and sentimental value. He would be bitter about losing that when he sobered up. “No need. I thought I’d travel light. Just a man and his sword and, ah, his wits. And so on.”
    â€œHmm,” Saraswati said. “A man and his sword and one set of clothes, anyway. I’ll reserve judgment on the wit until I see some evidence of it. Pia, when you have a moment, see if we can find another shirt and some trousers for him. The pants might be a bit short for you, but the voyage is warm this time of year. Welcome, Rodrick. I’ve got to make ready to sail, but Pia will show you to your berth.”
    She started to turn away, and Rodrick touched her shoulder. “Just out of curiosity, do you happen to know why the thakur wants to see me?”
    Saraswati gave him a long look, then whistled. “You’re going to see the thakur personally ? I knew the summons came from his staff, but I didn’t realize … No, I don’t know why, and I wouldn’t expect to. I was told that if a man named Rodrick showed up this morning with a sword that looked like it was made of ice, I should make him comfortable, get him safely to Niswan, and then send word to the palace. We don’t have any clothes here suitable for a meeting with the thakur, but I’m sure they can take care of that at the palace, if they want you to look remotely reputable. Though perhaps you’re meant to be an object lesson on the savage disreputability of the denizens of Absalom?”
    â€œI’m Andoren by birth.”
    She shrugged. “You all seem much the same to me.”
    His national pride was the least of his many prides, so Rodrick just shrugged, and the captain departed. Besides, he’d barely known where Jalmeray was, so it would be hypocritical to disparage the captain’s lack of geographical distinction. Rodrick tried to only be hypocritical when there was money in it.
    The first mate beckoned and led him onto the ship, which seemed much like