Honor Among Thieves by Elaine Cunningham Read Free Book Online Page B

better of wizards and lords with his native
cunning.”
    “And if she changes her mind about Fox?”
    “Then we’re all fuggled,” the dwarf said bluntly.
“Sideways.”
    * * *
    Vishni and Fox strolled alongside the shores of
Stormwall Island. The sun was warm, the day was summer-ripe, and
the cherry ice Fox had bought her from a street vendor tasted like
stolen kisses. Best of all, the story unfolding around her promised
enough twists and corners to warrant inclusion in The Book of
Vishni’s Exile .
    All of this should have made the fairy giddy with
delight. Instead, her mood darkened with each step.
    She still smarted from yesterday’s encounter with the
elf, from the tips of her blistered fingers to the depths of her
pride.
    And Fox, night take him, could not stop chattering
about the iron-clad wench!
    When Vishni could take no more she wheeled around to
face Fox and stomped on his foot. Not hard enough to break bones,
but with enough force to earn her an incredulous stare and a few
moments of blessed silence.
    “Muldonny?” she said. “Remember him? The adept who
rules Stormwall Island? Owner of the fortress we plan to
infiltrate? Looks like a fat, balding squirrel?”
    That drew a snort of laughter from Fox. “He is
vaguely squirrel-shaped, now that you mention it. And by all
reports, he has a temperament to match. Honor says—”
    “I don’t care.”
    Truth be told, Vishni didn’t much care for any of
this. Skulking around Stormwall Island, walking bridges with iron
rails she couldn’t touch, watching people slaughter fish that were
in no position to fight back.
    At least their trip to the long pier where passenger
ships docked had proved fruitful.
    She slipped one hand into a skirt pocket and gave the
contents an affectionate pat. Several visiting alchemists were
listed on the passenger manifests she’d stolen, but one presented
unusually promising storytelling potential.
    The name Insa’amid was known in her homeland. If her
suspicions were correct, kidnapping this particular alchemist would
make Fox’s task easier. More importantly, it would add a poignant
touch and maybe even a bit of irony to the unfolding story.
    But that was a game for another day. Her gaze skimmed
the wharfs in search of some immediate source of diversion.
    Two men struggled to lift a huge, sword-nosed fish
from a wooden boat. Both men were roughly clad, fair-haired, and
strong enough to put up an interesting fight. The older man looked
like he’d had some practice at it. A scar meandered across his
forehead and his nose had that pleasantly bumpy, crooked look of
one that’d been broken a time or two. If there was more damage, it
was hidden by the man’s long blond beard.
    Vishni liked long beards. Grabbing hold of them
during a fight was one of her favorite strategies. No one ever
seemed to expect it, which was half the fun.
    “I don’t like the looks of that smile,” Fox said.
    She adjusted her expression until she was certain no
fluffy kitten had ever looked as innocent.
    “See that woman by the nets? The pretty, young one
who’s sorting fish? She has an odd sort of ring.”
    “You must have eyes like a hawk. I can’t see it from
here.”
    The fairy held up a little silver hoop set with chips
of green and blue sea glass. “Is this better?”
    Fox’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing with
that?”
    “Keeping it safe! She put it in her apron pocket
before she started working. Taking it from her pocket when we
walked past was as easy as smiling. Anyone could have done it.”
    The thief sighed. “We don’t steal from fisherfolk,
Vishni. You know that. They have troubles enough.”
    “Oh, the ring will turn up,” she said airily. “Maybe
in her pocket, or on the table, or inside a fish . . .”
    Angry voices rose from the dock, where two men
crouched beside a mixture of fish guts and treasure.
    Fox squinted toward the pile of gold. Since each coin
was large enough to cover the palm of Vishni’s hand, it made