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Back Bleak Seasons Save as PDF
Chapters (102)
  1. Title page
  2. 2
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It worked out that thirty Taglians, five Black Company guys and fifteen Nyueng Bao warriors could be sent with the first group. We would have fifty swords on the beach.

Uncle Doj grumbled about the scheme because for one night he would not be able to keep his whole tribe together. Clever, Soldier of Darkness. We were back to that? You hold us warriors hostage.

You want to go, go. There are more of you than there are of us. Take the rafts.

He scowled, his hand called.

Its one night, Unc. And fifteen warriors will go with them. Theyll be drawn by lot so one of them might even be you.

One-Eye and Goblin did not want to leave. Im not going over tonight, One-Eye told me.

Me too neither, Goblin insisted.

They had that weasel look they get when they are dealing off the bottom of the deck. Why not? They looked like they could use a straight man.

It aint safe out there, One-Eye told me, after Goblin failed to convince me of his altruistic desire to protect the world by blunting Mogabas wickedness. That bitch from Juniper. Lisa Daele Bowalk. Shes laying for us out there.

Who? I heard no bells ringing.

Lisa Bowalk. From Juniper. Nasty little bitch. Ran with Marron Shed. The corpse runner. Shifter took her as his apprentice after the Company went on the run. She was there when we skragged Shifter. The Old Man let her get away. Well, shes out there, prowling, waiting for a chance to get even. Shes already tried a couple times.

And you never bothered to tell me? A healthy dose of skepticism is in order any time One-Eye waxes passionate on any subject.

Wasnt no problem till now.

Why argue? The truth seemed evident. Those two had plunder stashed and did not want to leave it unguarded. Nor did either want the other left with it alone. I told them, Take your chances with the rest of us.

Bonharj and Uncle Doj, Goblin and One-Eye all glowered at me. I told them, I shouldnt have to take a turn.

One-Eye chuckled. Maybe not. But you said we all had to take our chances.

I had not yet drawn. Trouble was, the outcome was not in doubt. There was only one stone left in the jar. Five black pebbles had been allocated to the Company and only four had been drawn.

I would go to the mainland with the first wave.

Why did my bitty buddies look so smug? Pick your rock and pack your shit, Goblin said. They would not have rigged the draw, would they? Nah. Not those two. Paragons of virtue, they were.

Anybody want to buy this? I held up the expected black pebble.

Stuff it, Kid, One-Eye said. Well manage without you. Again. What could go wrong in one day, anyway?