Read Online Dragon Precinct by Keith R. A. DeCandido - Free Book Online Page B

hue. His nose was small, but with a bulbous tip, and his blue eyes of surprisingly good humor for a war veteran of his years.
    “Good evening, General,” Torin said formally as the guard let him into the room. “I’m sorry we have to speak again so soon under such horrible circumstances.”
    “That’s okay, Lieutenant.” Ubàrlig rose from the floor. “I was just doing something with my hands.” He set the tunic down on the bed.
    Torin looked at the figures. “I would think you’d be sculpting to do that.”
    The dwarf laughed. “Ain’t got the right material for that . I didn’t bring clay with me, and there ain’t no kilns out on the Garamin, far as I know, so I can’t fire the stuff, neither. The plan’s to take a nice sea cruise, so I didn’t think it’d be a hot idea to bring ’em along. Nah, I just brought this stuff for laughs—mine, and the rest of the gang, since they like to make fun of my sculptin’,” Ubàrlig added with a self-deprecating grin.
    “I’m sure they only have your best interests at heart.” Torin then blinked, as if he had momentarily forgotten Danthres. “Oh! This is my partner, Lieutenant Tresyllione.”
    Ubàrlig looked at her for a moment, seeming to study her face. “You’re from Sorlin, right?”
    Danthres smiled most unpleasantly. “I’m from Guard Headquarters, Mr. Ubàrlig, and we’re investigating two murders.”
    The dwarf moved to sit on the chair next to the desk. “Murders? Since when? I thought Gan died by accident.”
    “A final determination hasn’t been made, but given the circumstances,” Torin said, “I do not believe we are jumping to an irrational conclusion. We’re told you found Mr. lothSirhans’s body.”
    “Yes, I did. He was supposed to come to dinner with me and Genero, and he was late. Typical, really—Ears got no sense of time—” he said, using a common dwarven slang term to refer to elves, “—and Olthar was lousy even by their standards. He wasn’t on time for a damn thing in the hundred and fifty years he was alive. But two hours late for dinner is pretty bad even for him. So I came up to see what the hell was keeping him. The door was open, so I came in. You know what I found.”
    Torin nodded. “Was it unusual for the door to be open?”
    The dwarf shook his head. “As your partner probably knows,” he said with a glance at Danthres, “Ears got no concept of locks.”
    We’re all aware, Torin thought with amusement. Elves new to human lands were often easy marks for thieves. During the massive immigration of elven refugees that followed the wars, the Guard had to set up a special task force just to deal with elves who were robbery victims. However, Torin would have thought someone who had lived among humans as long as lothSirhans had would have known better. Then again, perhaps the hero of the elven wars thought himself above such petty concerns.
    Ubàrlig picked up one of the figurines and stared at it for a moment. “Olthar’s a great man, Lieutenants. Was, anyhow. Look, there’s not a single Ear, living or dead, about whom I’d even consider saying something nice, much less call great. For Olthar, though, I’ll say and for damn sure mean it. I can count on one hand how many people I’d gladly give my life for. Two of ’em have died in this inn.”
    “In that case, General,” Torin said, “you should want to help us find out who killed them. You must have some common enemies.”
    “Not still alive. Unless there’s some long-lost relative or devotee of the Elf Queen.” The dwarf rubbed his bearded chin. “That’s actually a pretty good possibility. The Elf Queen had tons of followers—stands to reason that one or two of them may still be alive and are holding a grudge. Both Gan and Olthar were big thorns in her side.”
    Torin had to admit that that was a possibility. There were no other elves staying at the Dog and Duck, but that didn’t mean anything in and of itself. It was certainly worth