Read Sourcethief (Book 3) for Free Online Page A

lord?" Rakashi asked.
    "I guess you'd figure it out eventually anyway;
he's one of us. It's Brannis's uncle. I'm keeping well clear of it, since I
want him inquiring about my affairs as much as I'm sure he wants me knowing of
his. Brannis's uncle is fine, I suppose, but he's a devious one. I want to get
dragged in as little as possible, without leaving Brannis."
    "Is he covered in our bargain?" Rakashi
asked.
    "Probably not, but I still wouldn't try
it," Soria replied. "He's as much of a sorcerer as I've seen around
Tellurak. He's got real wards, and knows shields, and gods only know what kinds
of killing spells. He's Inner Circle on the other side. I've kept you out of the conversation for all this time; don't go drawing his attention
yourself."
    "Very well, I will keep clear of him
then."
    "You ready to get knocked around a bit
more?" Soria asked.
    "This is certainly reminding me why we kept
Tanner around all these years, despite his faults," Rakashi replied.
"He is as good a match as I can recall finding. At least with a half-spear
in my hand I could make a good accounting of myself against you." Rakashi
blocked a quick punch by Soria and hopped back out of the range of a kick.
    "Sure, until I actually hurt you. You and
Tanner may have worked out some sword masters' pact, but I have a hard time
pulling punches against real weapons," Soria said. Rakashi made a counterattack,
leading with a punch, which Soria sidestepped, and following with a kick. Soria
stepped just out of the reach of the kick, caught hold of Rakashi's ankle, and
dropped down to kick his plant foot out from under him. The Takalish warrior
landed heavily on his back.
    "I think I have had enough for one day."
    "Fine," Soria said, retrieving her tunic
from one of the stone railings. The low terrace of the villa she had purchased
for herself and Brannis overlooked the hedged garden where she and Rakashi practiced.
"By the way, not that I mind the rescue, or even the loss of those
miserable crewmen I was yoked with, but what were you doing out in those woods
anyway?"
    Rakashi stood staring a moment. Soria could only
wonder at the thoughts roiling behind the calm expression that so rarely
changed.
    "It may surprise you, but a blade-priest's oath
does not bind him to hopeless fights. Facing a single, great adversary is a
matter for honor, but standing against an army is a foolish death,"
Rakashi explained, pushing himself up to his elbows.
    "Fair point, but you were in Munne, weren't
you? You fled when the Kadrin army retook the city."
    "Yes."
    "Iridan was killed in Munne," Soria said.
She watched Rakashi for signs of a reaction. "Do you know anything about
that?"
    "He died a warlock's death," Rakashi said.
"His body was treated with respect, sent to his homeland for a proper
mourning. You said nothing, but I presume it arrived."
    "Did you have anything to do with it?"
Soria asked.
    "I was the one who made the arrangements
..."
    "Did you kill him?" Her look promised that
she would have hauled him up by his collar if he had been wearing one.
    "Yes. I was the strongest warrior, chosen by
fate and circumstance to face a formidable opponent who had already slain three
of my comrades," Rakashi looked her in the eye as he spoke. Her breath
came quicker than it had from the exertion of the sparring. She stared down at
her friend, who had at times filled the role a brother, a father, a mentor. She
saw his muscles tensed, ready to defend himself if she became violent.
    "Why?"
    "As I said, I—"
    "Why didn't you tell me?" Soria demanded.
Her hands were curled into tight fists, nails digging into her palms.
    "To spare you this moment, if I could. It seems
I could not," Rakashi said. His expression was stoic, hard to read as
ever. Soria wished she saw shame, or regret, or anything but the same placid
Rakashi. Every muscle in his limbs and torso was poised for battle, but nothing
reflected in his face. "He is dead either way, why spread sorrow where it
need not go?"
    "Maybe