Shadowgod by Michael Cobley Read Free Book Online

water dripped quietly to the street below. Boards creaked underfoot as Gilly trotted along, sword in hand, senses alert. The overcast daylight was smothered in the chill haze between these buildings and the middle distance was utterly shrouded. Then a sharp gleam penetrated the pale gloom, a hard white radiance coming from the walkway on the other side of the street. There was a choked cry, a woman’s voice, and he was running again towards the crossing gantry.
    But there were others running the same way directly opposite, small forms heading straight for what Gilly could now see were two figure struggling in a doorway. Coming up fast he could also see that the newcomers were children, mostly young boys it seemed, and a suspicion formed in his mind. But it was forgotten as they closed on the man who had his hand around Nerek’s throat … while bright, wavering tendrils of power joined his eyes to hers.
    There was the flicking sound of a loosed sling and Nerek’s attacker let out a cry of anger, turned to confront the boys and was enveloped by a small net. But he ignore it and struck the nearest boy a wild, backhand blow that sent him flying backwards into the handrail, which gave way. The boy screamed as he fell through, arms flailing, but managed to catch hold of the gantry edge. Gilly swore, passed his sword to his other hand, tugged a short throwing dagger from its waist sheath and hurled it. He had aimed at the throat but the man turned suddenly to drag an insensible Nerek to her feet, and the dagger punched into his shoulder.
    The man grunted, let go of Nerek and threw himself sideways. Rolling to a crouch, he glanced back at Gilly who was rushing up with sword at the ready. A pitiless, cold look then the man leaped up and darted out of sight along a steam-fogged alley. Gilly’s instinct was to go after him, but a thin cry for help brought him back to the broken railing. He sheathed his blade then reached down and pulled the young boy up to safety. The next thing he knew, the boy had scrambled to his feet and was dashing off into the pale haze. Of the other boys there was no sign.
    “Hey!” Gilly cried. “How about some gratitude, you little wretch?”
    For a moment there was silence, then a boy’s voice called out:
    “Blind Rina thanks you…”
    “Now who….” Gilly began, then a racking cough came from nearby. “Nerek!”
    She was sprawled in the doorway of a candle makers, trying to get to her feet. He bent to help her.
    “In the Mother’s name, woman, rest a while - ”
    “No...
no
…” Still coughing and using Gilly for support, she struggled upright and propped herself against the door frame. “I have to get to the coronation - you
must
help me…”
    Seeing the state she was in, Gilly felt caught between concern and exasperation. Nerek looked so similar to Keren yet was so different, possessed of an unrelenting quality which occasionally made her seem grim and monstrous. Yet there had been instances when she would do or say something which momentarily revealed a lonely and poignant yearning to understand the world around her. Then there were other times when there was no give in her at all.
    “You’re in no condition - “ he began.
    “Listen - they tried to kill me because they don’t want me showing up at the coronation,” she said hoarsely, one hand tightly gripping his arm. “I don’t know why, but we have to warn Bardow and the others - if you….won’t help, I’ll crawl to the docks if I have to…”
    He held up his hands in mock surrender, knowing that she meant every word. “I bow to your arguments, milady, a shrewd combination of bluntness and coercion.” He took one of her arms across his shoulder while supporting her with an arm about her waist. “I swear, they should send you to Dalbar instead of me.”
    “Did someone say the name 'Blind Rina' a few moments ago?” she asked as he helped her along the catwalk.
    “Some beggar boys were following me…” he said, and