The Exile and the Sorcerer Read Online Free

playing some sort of game; the goddess knows what the point is. Our grandmothers will have a better idea than me.”
    “Someone said they’ve given an ultimatum about selling swords to Argenseg.”
    “I’m sure there’s more to it. Come on, let’s get away from all this, and I’ll tell you everything they said.” Tevi gestured for Brec to follow.
    The pair started down a narrow passage between two halls, leaving the noise of the square behind, but before they had taken a dozen steps, another voice assailed them.
    “Tell me, did the women of Rathshorn tremble in their boots at the sight of our mighty war leader?”
    Tevi turned around. Laff stood at the end of the passage with her arms crossed and a sour expression on her face.
    “I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn they hardly noticed me.”
    “What? You managed to avoid drawing attention by walking into a bench? You must be having a good day.” Laff moved closer until she was less than an arm’s length away.
    The two sisters glared at each other until Tevi sighed in exasperation and dropped her head. She was not in the mood to deal with her sister’s hostility. “Look, I know you’re angry that I was at the meeting and you weren’t. Honestly, I’d much rather you’d been there instead of me, but I wasn’t given the option.”
    “I couldn’t care less about the meeting.” Judging by her tone, Laff’s words were blatantly untrue.
    “Then what are you so wound up about?”
    “You, and the way you’re going to bring shame upon our family.” Laff spat out the words.
    “I’ll try my best not to.”
    “Your best is pathetic. Strikes-like-lightning. They named you well. You couldn’t hit the same spot twice for trying.” Laff rephrased one of Blaze’s jokes.
    “And you could do so much better?”
    “Of course I could! I should lead the war band, not you.”
    “Then perhaps you should go to Mother and suggest she reschedule our births.” Over Laff’s shoulder, Tevi saw women gathering at the passage entrance, attracted by the raised voices. It was time to cut the argument short, but Laff was not about to let it drop.
    “How do you have the nerve to bring Mother into this? She was a great warrior. She must be so ashamed to have you as a daughter.”
    “Oh, she is. She makes that quite clear.” Tevi spun about and began to walk away.
    “You aren’t fit to follow her. You should have been a boy. You go out of your way to act like one. How far do you take the act?”
    Tevi knew she should have kept walking, but there was an edge to Laff’s voice that could not be ignored. She turned back and snarled, “At least I don’t act like a girl who has to think with her sword since she keeps her brain between her legs.”
    Laff grinned in satisfaction at provoking a reaction. She looked her sister slowly up and down before saying, “Oh, no. No one would ever accuse you of that. I don’t know about being a real warrior; you’re not even a real woman.”
    Tevi could feel herself shaking. Getting into a game of trading insults with Laff had been a bad move, but she could not back off now, not with the audience. “I’m enough of a woman to ram that stupid remark back down your throat.”
    “You think you want to try?” Laff was getting louder. “Where were you and Brec going? Off to hold hands and stare into each other’s eyes? But I’m being unfair to Brec. She probably doesn’t realise you’d like to play the man for her—on your back, with your pants down.”
    Laff had gone much too far. Tevi leapt forward, fist swinging for her sister’s face. The sudden attack took Laff by surprise, but she managed to raise an arm to parry. Even so, the punch clipped the side of her head and knocked her back against the wall. Tevi moved in for a second blow, but her sister kicked at her legs, causing her to stumble and miss.
    The fight was short and predictable. Tevi attempted to take the offensive, knowing that she was better in attack than