In Treachery Forged (The Law of Swords) by David A Tatum Read Free Book Online Page B

more surprised that the girl gave him a complete answer – and to an unasked question – then he was that the owner had lost his foot in the wars. That would have been interesting in itself. Most wounded veterans of that war were given a pension and some simple job, not left to fend for themselves at some inn in the middle of nowhere. A few people had managed to slip through the cracks, of course, but in general Svieda kept track even of those who refused employment. There was no mention in the papers Wybert had given him of any innkeepers along this river who were veterans of a former war.
    Nevertheless, a hot meal was his goal, not sorting out people who were pretending they were war heroes or mysterious girls who wouldn’t give a straight answer unless it was to an unasked question. Following the girl in question, he handed his horse’s reins to a young man taking the role of the inn’s porter and stepped inside. To his surprise, the owner of the place greeted the two of them quite enthusiastically.
    “Euly! I didn’t know you were going to be back today,” he cried, getting up on a peg leg.
    The old man threw his arms around her in a fatherly hug. “You could stand to put some meat on those bones, but you look healthy enough for a girl that’s been out of town for a few months. Did you ever find a guide for crossing the mountains?”
    “Him,” she said, jerking her thumb at Maelgyn. That startled him, for he hadn’t agreed to anything as far as he knew. In fact, he hadn’t thought he would be seeing her after getting to the ferry. Apparently, however, when she said she was following Maelgyn she wasn’t kidding.
    The old soldier looked Maelgyn up and down. “Well, I guess you’ll do, sonny.”
    It was then Maelgyn knew the man was exactly the veteran Euleilla claimed. Maelgyn had seen a portrait in Largo Castle dedicated to him. It had been commissioned as an apology, of sorts, for the actions of a previous, particularly boorish Sword of the realm. That Sword had unceremoniously dismissed four heroes from the early stages of the war, claiming their war injuries made them “unusable” whatever their past actions. When that Sword was later deposed, three of these heroes had been found, their pensions restored and their status acknowledged with peerages and similar rewards. The fourth was believed to have been dead, but that had never been confirmed.
    “Admiral Ruznak?”
    The old man’s eyes widened. “It’s been a long time since anyone recognized me for my military service, boy, but I was never more than a captain.”
    “I’m afraid you’re mistaken there, sir,” Maelgyn noted. “Sword Prince Alphor, Prince Wybert’s father and predecessor, promoted you, uh, ‘posthumously’ after a search of the kingdom turned up no trace of you. That was almost fifty years ago, sir.”
    “Heh,” Ruznak snorted. “I ain’t dead, yet.”
    “They thought you were,” Maelgyn replied. “But the promotion is valid, nonetheless. What Sword Pennyweaver did to you and the other veterans in the war was a travesty, sir, but upon his death his successors and the other Swords in the kingdom did everything they could to make it up to you.”
    “Bygones, sir, just bygones,” Ruznak laughed bitterly. “Pennyweaver was a louse, but I knew most of the rest of his kin were good enough folk. That’s why I fought for them in the first place.” The old soldier’s stare became even more penetrating. “So, what can an old innkeeper like me be doing for a Sword of the Realm, my boy?”
    Maelgyn blinked in surprise. “How did you...”
    Once again, Ruznak laughed – this time a much happier sound. “Let’s just say you strongly resemble a certain ancestor of yours I was once proud to call a friend and leave it at that. Now, on to business. Since my little Euly here says you’re going to take her to Sopan, I’m guessing you’re young Maelgyn. I’ve heard a few rumors about a new war here and there, but I’m