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Back Bleak Seasons Save as PDF
Chapters (102)
  1. Title page
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Rudy hurried up. You want I should throw this one back in the lake, Murgen?

What?

She crawled out of the water a while ago. Claimed somebody tried to murder her. Supposedly pushed her off the raft she was riding. Looks to me like maybe she asked for it.

She probably did. Sahra looked at me in surprise. Despite her tears. But I got to be nice. Shes almost family.

Man, Rudy said. He walked off shaking his head. Sahra began gesturing exasperatedly at her mother. To Tan stared at his granny, sucked his thumb. I caught a whiff. Go to Nana, I whispered. Show her how good you can walk. He did not understand me but she did and held her arms out.

Near as I could tell To Tan was the only person in the world who cared for Ky Gota. He toddled and his granny forgot all about being wet and cold and cranky.

Sahra looked at me hard. I shrugged, grinned, mouthed, He needs changing again.

Rudy found me staring at the city. Fresh smoke hung over our part of town. Bubba-do just ambushed a patrol, Murgen.

Shit. When they dont report...

He said they knew we were here. They were sneaking up. That Swan character is with them.

One-Eye was right, then. Anybody get hurt?

Not yet.

Good. Good. Did they get a look at the camp? The Nyueng Bao had done a good job of camouflage, considering. You could tell where the camp was but not its extent.

I think they just saw the smoke. They were real surprised to get jumped according to Bubba-do.

They see him?

Yes.

Unfortunate. Maybe they didnt recognize him. I shrugged. Some things cant be helped. Ill deal with them. Hang on. I stomped over to Sahra and her mother. Hush! I snapped when the old woman opened her mouth to start. We have trouble. Who can speak for the Nyueng Bao? I did not know who else to ask. These strange people did what I said when I told them, if that improved our situation, but they did not talk.

The old woman put the baby down and rose. She squinted. Her eyesight was not good. Tarn Dak! she barked.

A frail ancient turned. Despite his age he was carrying a huge bundle of brushwood. Ky Gota beckoned imperiously. The oldster headed our way at a high-speed shuffle.

I went to meet him. Greetings, father. I am the one who dealt with the Speaker. I spoke both loudly and slowly.

Im not deaf yet, boy, he replied in Taglian better than mine. And I know who you are.

Good. Then Ill get to the point. The soldiers over here have found us. We dont know what their attitude toward your people might be. If theyre in a bad temper I cant help much. Your warriors have scouted. Can you disappear?