Forge of the Mindslayers: Blade of the Flame Book 2 by Tim Waggoner Read Free Book Online

slender elf-woman sitting atop one of their straw-filled sleeping pallets. Her chestnut-colored hair was braided in colorful beaded strands, as was the custom in the Principalities. She wore a white shirt with long billowy sleeves, tight black pants, knee-high black boots, and a wide black belt with an iron buckle. Hanging from the belt was a leather pouch that Ghaji knew was filled with any number of surprises.
    “Yvka!” Ghaji broke into a broad grin upon seeing the elf-woman. The sight of an orc—even a half-orc—baring his teeth normally would’ve sent a shiver of fear through even the most seasoned of warriors, but Yvka returned the grin, hopped lightly to her feet, and ran over to embrace Ghaji. Despite the elf-woman’s thin frame, she nearly knocked Ghaji off his feet as she threw herself into his arms. They kissed, and when they were done, they kissed again.
    Diran cleared his throat. “I’ll just go on down and have something to eat while you two finish saying hello.”

    Diran, Tresslar, and Hinto sat at a table in the common room, their meal long finished. They were drinking ale and talking when Ghaji and Yvka at last came downstairs. There was a scattering of laughter and raised mugs from the other patrons when they saw Ghaji, and the half-orc waved good-naturedly as he led Yvka over to his friends’ table.
    “What was that all about?” the elf-woman asked as they sat.
    “There was this drunken gnome,” Hinto began, but Ghaji shot him a dark look and the halfling mumbled, “Never mind” and turned his attention back to his ale.
    “It’s good to see you again, my dear,” Tresslar said. “It’s been far too long.”
    Ykva smiled. “I’m afraid the life of an entertainer is an uncertain one. It seems I’m always moving from one town to another in search of my next job.”
    Hinto put down his mug and wiped a smear of foam off his upper lip. “What are you talking about? I thought you worked for—”
    The halfling cried out in pain as Ghaji’s boot connected solidly with his shin.
    “Hinto, while I may, upon occasion, perform certain tasks not related to entertaining, I’d appreciate it if you could avoid speaking of them aloud.”
    “Our friend is a juggler and acrobat,” Diran said. “Remember? And one who possesses more than a touch of wanderlust, I might add.”
    Understanding shown on Hinto’s face at last, and he gave the elf-woman a wink. “No problem. I’ll be as quiet as a Tantamar brothel after an outbreak of fire-fungus.”
    “Thank you.” Yvka smiled at the halfling sailor.
    She seemed amused by Hinto, but Ghaji didn’t think the situation was funny. Though she’d never come out and said so to any of them—not even him—she was an operative who worked for the Shadow Network, an organization of mercenaries, spies, and assassins that didn’t officially exist. The most valuable weapon an operative possessed was secrecy, and if Yvka’s true profession became known, she could be placed in grave danger. While the elf-woman could handle herself well in just about any situation, given how Ghaji felt about her, he couldn’t help feeling at least a little protective.
    Ghaji decided to change the subject. “So what were you three talking about before we got here?”
    “We were taking bets on how long it would be before you came down from the room,” Hinto said. “Tresslar won.”
    Ghaji scowled as Hinto and Diran tossed coins over to Tresslar, but Yvka just laughed.
    “That means the next round of drinks is on me.” The artificer raised his hand to catch a serving woman’s attention.
    “Before that, we were talking about yesterday’s expedition,” Diran said. “I assume you didn’t get the opportunity to tell Yvka about it?”
    Ghaji shook his head and Diran gave the elf-woman a quick run-down of their battle with the lich in her mountain lair.During the telling, Tresslar ordered more ales, and the serving woman went off to fetch them. Diran was finished with the