Burning Tower by Larry Niven Read Free Book Online Page B

there’s a caravan. A Feathersnake caravan.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Chalker said. “I understand, we have to look into all that. But you better let Fullerman change horses first. You’ll need fresh. No point in going until you get them.”
    Which was true enough. The sudden spurts of flat out running had tired the horses quickly. Better to have new. “See to that, and load up with spears,” Sandry said. “And have Fullerman choose us a good spearman to ride up with us.”
    â€œRight.” Chalker led the chariot toward the stables behind the inn, where the soldiers were clustered around the innkeeper’s smiling daughter.
    â€œAnd hurry!”
    Â 
    The square was alive with people. Kinless stood in knots, watchfully eyeing the Lordkin, but speaking in agitated tones. When Sandry came near any of them, they cheered. Some were even cheering for the Lordkin Fire Brigade.
    The fountain artisan was talking to Wanshig. “Your men, Lord Wanshig—” He glanced hastily at Sandry, who pretended he hadn’t heard. “They saved my boy—I saw them. That man waved his shirt when the beast was running toward the fountain. Ask anything. A new fountain for your meetinghouse? We will build it for you!”
    Wanshig looked amused, but he nodded. “Thank you, Master Artisan. We accept.” He turned to acknowledge Sandry. “Lord Sandry.”
    â€œChief Wanshig. Your men have earned a bonus.”
    â€œLost four,” Wanshig said. “And two more will be out for months. Lord Sandry, what were those things? I never saw anything like them.”
    â€œMe either,” Sandry said, but then he stopped. Actually, he thought, I have. Burning Tower was wearing a costume made out of feathers like those when she did her high-rope act. The wagon people must know what those things are.
    Wagon train. There were seven more of those birds, and the wagon train was in danger. “What’s keeping those fresh horses?” Sandry shouted. “Peacevoice Fullerman, if you please….”
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    The road north to the border was strewn with bodies. The creatures had killed at least a dozen kinless. Further north a kinless woman hugged two children, while a teenage kinless laid a blanket over a body.
    â€œLordkin,” Chalker said. He pointed to the dead man.
    â€œWe’ll have to tell Chief Wanshig,” Sandry said.
    â€œNot one of his,” Chalker said. “Flower Market, I’d say. What you think, Yiler?”
    The borrowed spearman sucked his teeth. “Yeah, reckon so from the tattoos, but you don’t expect to see Flower Market Lordkin killed protecting kinless.”
    â€œYou reckon he was doing that?” Chalker asked.
    â€œHad to. Why else would that kinless kid be covering him?”
    â€œIs it unusual for Lordkin to protect kinless?” Sandry asked.
    â€œUsed to be you never saw that, but lately it happens in Serpent’s Walk,” Yiler said. “But Flower Market is different—”
    â€œTrouble ahead, sir,” Chalker said.
    A cluster of Lordkin surrounded a monster. One of its legs was gone at the knee, but the bird seemed able to stand and even to hop forward. Whenever it did, Lordkin would attack it from behind, rushing forward to chop at its remaining leg. Sandry didn’t recognize any of the Lordkin, but they seemed to have the situation in hand.
    â€œThat’s the missing two,” Chalker said.
    â€œTwo?”
    â€œYes, sir. One of them Lordkin was standing on a dead one.”
    â€œOh. All right—if Maydreo counted right, there’s five left.” And, he didn’t say, just us to deal with them. Peacevoice Fullerman would be marching up the road, but only about half of his troopers were effective. Two troopers dead, three wounded. “Let the Lordkin deal with that one, then. How many troops at the border station?” Sandry asked.
    Chalker shouted through clenched