2 Defiler of Tombs by William King Read Free Book Online Page B

magic.”
    “I saw the marks on the body.”
    “Yes, and the skin was grey and cold. There were black finger-prints on the chest as well. I have seen that before.”
    “Where?”
    “In the Southlands. The necromancers of the Lethian Shore dispatch their enemies with such magic. The man I am hunting knows such spells.”
    “You’re thinking of your friend Morghael, aren’t you?” Brandon was looking at the woman. Perhaps he suspected her and the Tinkers of having something to do with the death. Kormak could not help but notice that the woman sat up a little straighter when the name Morghael was mentioned although she should have been too far away to hear Brandon’s words.
    “Why was the Watcher killed?” Brandon’s eyes swept over the Tinkers.
    “I don’t know. Maybe he saw something.”
    “He was most likely tracking the ones you seek,” said Aisha. Kormak looked across at her.
    “You think?”
    “That’s what they do, or so I have heard,” she said. “They watch those who would tamper with the tombs of the Death Lords. It is their purpose, just as it is your Order’s purpose to oppose the Old Ones and the Shadow.”
    That made a certain amount of sense. “Why?” he asked.
    “They are descendants of those hill-tribes who sided with the Solari when they destroyed Kharon. They were left behind when the legions turned south. They swore an oath to guard the land against the return of evil. They have reason to. The Death Lords would seek vengeance when they rose.”
    That was something Kormak understood. Sir Brandon was nodding. “I had heard that mentioned in old tales. I always thought it was just a story.”
    “Even the Watchers themselves think so at times. They have forgotten much and they had drifted far from their original purpose but still they try in their way to keep the faith.”
    “You seem to know a lot about them,” Kormak said.
    Aisha smiled. It was like the wolf bearing its teeth. “My people and the Watchers are old allies. We have treaties with them that date back to when the Sunlanders first came to this land. We do not forget such things.”
    Kormak noticed the emphasis she placed on my people. It was a proprietary tone, the voice of a queen speaking of those she ruled. Brandon cocked his head to one side. He was looking at her curiously. “Treaties?” he said. His voice was very quiet, as if he was speaking his astonishment aloud and had not meant to be heard. Aisha paused as if she had said too much.
    “We trade with them, bring them the herbs and devices they need. They pay us in hill silver.”
    “Trade treaties,” said Brandon as if that explained everything. He was still quite clearly bemused by the idea of tinkers and treaties.
    “You think the Tinkers just mend pots,” Aisha said. Something in Brandon’s attitude had clearly nettled her. It struck Kormak that Aisha was an angry woman and an imperious one. She had not the manners of any Tinker he had ever met. She seemed more like a noblewoman playing a part. Perhaps she was.
    “It had crossed my mind,” said Brandon. His tone was as haughty as hers. He was a nobleman and they were close to his lands. He had his pride as well. Aisha surprised Kormak by laughing.
    “It is what most people would think,” she said. There was a bitter edge to her mirth and there was something familiar to it as well. He could not put his finger on exactly why.
    Javier stuck a wooden spoon in the pot and tried again. “It is ready,” he said with the weary air of a courtier trying to stay out of an argument. He began to ladle the stew into wooden bowls. They were as brightly painted as everything else about the Tinker’s wagon. He produced some waybread from a leather pouch and handed it around and then he brought out a skin of wine. He passed it to Aisha first who passed it to Kormak. There was a ritual quality to this. Kormak took a mouthful. Aisha looked at Sir Brandon so he passed it to the knight. Brandon took it and passed it