Read Online The Peasant by Scott Michael Decker - Free Book Online Page B

the Sorcerer said, his voice a hiss. He offered no obeisance. On his wrist glittered a silver bracelet.
    “Lord Traitor,” the General replied, smiling.
    Most people feared the Sorcerer for his political power and psychic talent. Guarding Bear feared Lurking Hawk for the incompetent way he handled his power and talent. He's a bungling jester who juggles Emperors, the General thought—and drops them often. “When will you tell us where Lofty Lion hid the Heir Sword?”
    “For the thousandth time, I don't know, Usurper!”
    “You
do
know, Traitor, and the moment you tell, you die. It's the only reason the Lord Emperor Arrow tolerates your filthy presence.”
    “Lord Emperor, invite the Usurper onward for his intolerable insults!”
    “I've only stated the truth, Traitor. If you'd betray your Emperor and fellow Northerners by serving the man who slaughtered them, surely you can betray the location of a silly piece of metal, eh? Tell us where the Heir Sword is.”
    “Go to the Infinite, Usurper!”
    “When I do I'll take you with me, Traitor.”
    Guarding Bear sheathed his sword and ran his hands through his hair. Sighing, he looked at Bubbling Water beside him. “I have a few habits to break, eh?” He shook his head, turned and sat with his back to the Sorcerer.
    He was pleased he'd mastered his impulse to murder.
    * * *
    Has the Infinite addled his brains? Bubbling Water wondered, following his lead. Why is he acting so carelessly? Once a traitor,
always
a traitor, she thought, rubbing the knife in her sleeve and wondering when Lurking Hawk would betray Flying Arrow.
    The Emperor looked at them both, his eyebrows high on his forehead. “Has the Infinite addled your brains, Lord Bear? Not once in fourteen years have I seen you turn your back on the Traitor.”
    “He doesn't merit the honor of my hostility, Lord Emperor.”
    Flying Arrow laughed, grinning. He looked beyond the mates at Lurking Hawk. Bubbling Water watched the Sorcerer from the corner of her eye.
    Lurking Hawk stared at their backs. Scratching his head, he walked around them and sat on the lowest step of the dais. He glanced at Flying Arrow as if to ask what had just happened, an obsidian sculpture at his back. With a frown, he turned back toward the mates. “Your good health dismays me, Lord Peasant, as does the infant's.”
    “Mine I understand, Lord Hawk. If a helpless infant's good health disturbs you, I pray that the Infinite opens your heart to the joys of fatherhood.”
    Bubbling Water looked at him as though he were insane.
    “Are you feeling well, Lord Bear?” Flying Arrow asked.
    “I feel better today than I have in years, Lord Emperor. Aren't you pleased to hear that, Lord Hawk?”
    “No!” The Sorcerer scowled at the General and spat on the floor. “The good health of every usurper disturbs me. Lord Emperor, the four men Soothing Spirit went to treat work for Emparia Castle.” He sneered at Guarding Bear.
    “Oh?” Flying Arrow said, frowning.
    “Yes, Lord. In the surveillance—”
    “Shut up or I'll kick your corpse!”
    “I beg you, Lord Emperor, to be more civil,” the Sorcerer said. “You act as if no one knows you have spies everywhere.”
    “Impudent dog! Cease your barking!”
    “Yes, Lord Emperor,” Lurking Hawk said, looking unperturbed.
    Bubbling Water grinned at Flying Arrow's discomfiture and nudged Guarding Bear. He frowned at her. “Lord Nephew, the Lord Bear would happily investigate the maiming of your spies.”
    Guarding Bear looked at her. “I would?”
    “Thank you, no, Lady Matriarch—”
    “He'd only be doing his duty, Lord Emperor,” Bubbling Water interrupted, nudging him again. “He'll attend to the matter promptly.” Then she whispered in his ear, “Better
you
do it than some fool who'd reveal the truth!”
    “So kind of you, Lady Matriarch, to offer—”
    “Lord Emperor,” Guarding Bear interrupted, “who would so object to harmless surveillance they'd inflict such terrible