Read Online The Inquisitives [1] Bound by Iron by Edward Bolme - Free Book Online

Minrah followed, placed her bags and his staff in the corner, and closed the door behind them. “Set him down there, on the floor,” she said, pointing to the area of the room that would be most concealed from the hallway were the door to be opened. She remained by the door while Cimozjen caringly laid his friend out.
    The door opened, banging loudly into the foot that Minrah had planted in its path. She immediately poked her head back around and saw the nervous innkeeper. “A pail! Excellent!” she said, taking it and the towel stuffed inside. “I think we’re fine, now that we have him lying down. Some hot water, maybe, and a plate of sausages—yes, if you could get us those, that would be good. No need to rush though. I think we’re good here with the bucket now. Thank you ever so much!”
    She eased the door back closed to cut off the innkeeper’s questions.
    “I think we’re safe now,” she said.
    “You lied!” said Cimozjen, turning his head toward her.
    “Of course. I wanted to keep things as easy for us as possible.”
    “It was totally unnecessary!”
    “Keep your voice down, or you’ll get us thrown out!”
    Cimozjen fumed. “That was not necessary. He caters to veterans, and he and I have a good rapport. You betrayed his trust in me.”
    Minrah shrugged. “Maybe so, but most innkeepers prefer their guests to be breathing. Anyway, it worked.”
    Cimozjen stared at her, letting his eyes channel the anger and betrayal he felt.
    At last she held up her hands in concession. “Fine, I’m sorry. It was just the easiest, quickest thing to do.”
    “That is the bull’s-eye,” said Cimozjen. “The road of lies and deceit is very easy, but it leads ever downhill. And, judging by how quickly you turned down that path—”
    “Hold your tongue right there,” snapped Minrah. “I’m doing whatever I can to help you, and this is the gratitude I get? You couldn’t do a thing out there on the streets, and you know it, but I got us safely up here. So there’s no reason to think the less of me. I’m not dishonest.”
    “I pray that all lies do not come so easily to you,” said Cimozjen quietly, “or as quickly.”
    Minrah looked like she wanted to answer, but the words no longer escaped her puckered mouth. Instead, she dropped her eyes and fiddled with her fingers, then went over to the door and sat down. “So much for chivalry,” she spat. “I guess maybe you’re used to a more commercial relationship with your women.”
    Cimozjen clenched his teeth and stared at Torval’s lifeless face. At last he broke the silence. “Well, then. We’ve managed to wound each other, and cruelly as well. I propose we accept our hurts, forgive the trespasses, and move forward, because the only one who’s not been offensive this evening is the one being slighted by our inactivity. So shall we?”
    Minrah nodded without looking up. “I suppose,” she murmured.

Chapter
F IVE
    Stories Written in Blood
Zol, the 10th day of Sypheros, 998
    A pot of tea and a couple sausages later, Minrah had regained her focus. She moved over to Torval’s corpse and extended the wick in the lamp for better light.
    “Right,” she said. “This is exactly how he was when you found him? Aside from the fact that you’ve ported him over half the city, of course.”
    “Yes.”
    She pulled out an iron armband from her bag. “And you’re sure this is his?”
    “Where’d you get that?” asked Cimozjen. “I’d thought the guards had kept it.”
    Minrah shrugged. “They left it on one of the tables. I figured we had more need of it than they did.”
    “And you saw no need to ask, either. Still, it is his. Let me have it.” Cimozjen turned it over in his hand. “See, right here? If you look carefully and angle it to the flame, you’ll see his name is engraved on the inside.”
    “That’s his name? They just look like scratches to me.”
    “It’s an ancient script, and hard to read even if you’vehad practice.”
    “And