Read Online Circle of Thieves: Legends of Dimmingwood by C. Greenwood - Free Book Online
Authors: C. Greenwood
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the Black
Forrest and the people want to appease the gods with fresh blood. Could just be
extra rites to mark the death of someone important or the confirmation of a new
High Sageuon. We can’t do more than guess.”
I glared into the darkness, remembering the destruction at
Hammond’s Bend, thinking of a certain little girl I had buried there, and
imagining the fates of the villagers who had been taken for sacrifice.
I said, “If these savages think we’ll allow them to continue
snatching our people unopposed, they’ll soon discover otherwise.”
She said, “Maybe we should let the Praetor’s Fists deal with
it.”
“The Fists aren’t clever enough to root out a nest of
outlaws at their front door,” I pointed out. “I think we can consider any help
from them little better than opposition. No, it’s up to us to find a way to
push the invaders out.”
“Rideon has forbidden involvement.” She wasn’t protesting,
just reminding me.
“Then he’s wrong,” I said, my view of life and the world
reordering itself as I spoke the words. “If the Red Hand can’t be made to see
the consequences this will have on all of us—”
Ada said, “I’ve tried to talk to him—”
But I didn’t let her finish. “If he won’t interfere in
events and refuses to use the strength of the band to defend the wood villagers
and keep the Skeltai out of our territory, then I’ll do it without him. No, we will do it without him. I know our men, perhaps better than Rideon himself
knows them. Once they understand what’s happening in Dimmingwood, most will
want to step forward and fight to defend what’s ours.”
Ada looked as surprised at my rebellious declaration as I
was. But all she said was, “And what of Rideon? What will he do to those who
enter the fight against his wishes?”
I considered that. “Maybe he doesn’t have to know. Maybe it
doesn’t need to be that kind of a fight.”
“I don’t understand. There’s only one way to go about a
war.”
“I’m not so certain. Let me think about it. In the mean
time, do me a favor, would you?”
“What?”
“I want a meeting tomorrow night at Horse Head Rock. All the
outlaws should know the truth of what’s happening.”
“Rideon ordered secrecy,” she reminded me. “Once you defy
him, there’ll be no going back.”
“I’m not going to defy him, not openly anyway. But can I
trust you not to tell him what’s passed between us?”
She shrugged. “Why not? Us savages might as well stick
together.”
“Don’t say that. I’m no Skeltai. I was born right here in
the Province.”
“Say what you will,” she said, “but you’ve my fair hair and
skin. Neither of us will ever quite fit in among normal folk.”
“Speak for yourself. As for me, I’m right where I belong.
But I’ve been away awhile, while you’ve been here in Dimming. You know the
moods of the outlaws these days—who can be trusted and who’ll go running to
Rideon.”
I chewed on my thumbnail. “Kinsley’s Rideon’s creature, I
know that. Dradac will help us. And Kipp, I think. Maybe Javen…” I let my voice
trail off, mentally counting how many supporters I could be certain of.
As if following my thoughts, Ada said, “I think you’ll be
disappointed at how few will be prepared to listen to you. Rideon’s followers
are loyal.”
“Maybe, but we’ll make do with what we can get.”
She fell silent, and I wondered how far I could trust even
her. There was a time when I would have had another companion to back me up.
Looking out over the dark treetops of Dimmingwood, I
wondered briefly where Terrac was tonight and if he were well, before
dismissing him from my mind. I had a rebellion to plot.
Chapter
Seven
Despite Ada’s pessimistic prediction, there were over a
dozen of us gathered at Horse Head Rock the following night. I made it a point
to be the first one there, although it took some doing to get off my watch
early without creating suspicion. I
Forrest and the people want to appease the gods with fresh blood. Could just be
extra rites to mark the death of someone important or the confirmation of a new
High Sageuon. We can’t do more than guess.”
I glared into the darkness, remembering the destruction at
Hammond’s Bend, thinking of a certain little girl I had buried there, and
imagining the fates of the villagers who had been taken for sacrifice.
I said, “If these savages think we’ll allow them to continue
snatching our people unopposed, they’ll soon discover otherwise.”
She said, “Maybe we should let the Praetor’s Fists deal with
it.”
“The Fists aren’t clever enough to root out a nest of
outlaws at their front door,” I pointed out. “I think we can consider any help
from them little better than opposition. No, it’s up to us to find a way to
push the invaders out.”
“Rideon has forbidden involvement.” She wasn’t protesting,
just reminding me.
“Then he’s wrong,” I said, my view of life and the world
reordering itself as I spoke the words. “If the Red Hand can’t be made to see
the consequences this will have on all of us—”
Ada said, “I’ve tried to talk to him—”
But I didn’t let her finish. “If he won’t interfere in
events and refuses to use the strength of the band to defend the wood villagers
and keep the Skeltai out of our territory, then I’ll do it without him. No, we will do it without him. I know our men, perhaps better than Rideon himself
knows them. Once they understand what’s happening in Dimmingwood, most will
want to step forward and fight to defend what’s ours.”
Ada looked as surprised at my rebellious declaration as I
was. But all she said was, “And what of Rideon? What will he do to those who
enter the fight against his wishes?”
I considered that. “Maybe he doesn’t have to know. Maybe it
doesn’t need to be that kind of a fight.”
“I don’t understand. There’s only one way to go about a
war.”
“I’m not so certain. Let me think about it. In the mean
time, do me a favor, would you?”
“What?”
“I want a meeting tomorrow night at Horse Head Rock. All the
outlaws should know the truth of what’s happening.”
“Rideon ordered secrecy,” she reminded me. “Once you defy
him, there’ll be no going back.”
“I’m not going to defy him, not openly anyway. But can I
trust you not to tell him what’s passed between us?”
She shrugged. “Why not? Us savages might as well stick
together.”
“Don’t say that. I’m no Skeltai. I was born right here in
the Province.”
“Say what you will,” she said, “but you’ve my fair hair and
skin. Neither of us will ever quite fit in among normal folk.”
“Speak for yourself. As for me, I’m right where I belong.
But I’ve been away awhile, while you’ve been here in Dimming. You know the
moods of the outlaws these days—who can be trusted and who’ll go running to
Rideon.”
I chewed on my thumbnail. “Kinsley’s Rideon’s creature, I
know that. Dradac will help us. And Kipp, I think. Maybe Javen…” I let my voice
trail off, mentally counting how many supporters I could be certain of.
As if following my thoughts, Ada said, “I think you’ll be
disappointed at how few will be prepared to listen to you. Rideon’s followers
are loyal.”
“Maybe, but we’ll make do with what we can get.”
She fell silent, and I wondered how far I could trust even
her. There was a time when I would have had another companion to back me up.
Looking out over the dark treetops of Dimmingwood, I
wondered briefly where Terrac was tonight and if he were well, before
dismissing him from my mind. I had a rebellion to plot.
Chapter
Seven
Despite Ada’s pessimistic prediction, there were over a
dozen of us gathered at Horse Head Rock the following night. I made it a point
to be the first one there, although it took some doing to get off my watch
early without creating suspicion. I
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