Swordmistress of Chaos by Robert Holdstock, Angus Wells Read Free Book Online Page A

loot. Spellbinder entertained other thoughts.
    ‘It’s been a year or more since I saw Lyand,’ he remarked casually. ‘I have it in mind to visit her once again.’
    ‘Shroud of the Stone!’ Argor grinned approving disbelief. ‘Think you to ride out again? They’ll know that pale face of yours on the instant. And mount it over the gates.’
    ‘There are disguises,’ shrugged Spellbinder. ‘And I like it not when men confine my comings and my goings. I shall visit Lyand.’
    Argor shook his head, chuckling, and Raven was prompted to ask what crime would occasion her lover’s decapitation.
    ‘Hai!’ Argor slapped the table, smiling at the memory. ‘They’d as life welcome Spellbinder to their pretty city as they’d welcome a pack of blood-mad Beastmen. Three years ago I was better liked in Lyand, even found employment there as a Swordmaster. Quell and Tirwand felt the push of Luandian ambition and allied themselves with Phalgar. The three little cities marched on Lyand and there were some pleasant fights to fill a mercenary’s purse with bright old. Lyand won the struggle, though feelings ran high for months after.
    ‘I was investing part of my pay in decent wine, in a tavern owned by a charming friend of mine.’
    ‘She’s so charming she attracts every disease in the Three Cities,’ grunted Spellbinder.
    Argor ignored the interruption, his smile lascivious with memory.
    ‘A fight broke out. Five of Lyand’s City Guard thought to have found a Tirwand spy. The poor fellow was struggling to defend himself, though he had little chance as I guessed it.’
    Spellbinder snorted in disgust.
    ‘Hard-pressed, he was,’ continued Argor, ‘and like to fall beneath their swords. I was paid off and of a benevolent nature, so I took pity on the hapless fellow. I drew my sword and cut two of the Guardsmen with one magnificent stroke. The others turned on me, and my defence threw them back against the unfortunate fellow. He managed to account for one of them, whilst I slew the others with two devastating strokes.
    ‘The blood was thick upon the sawdust, and it was Guardsman blood. I could only flee, taking the unfortunate with me, else he should be blamed for the slaughter. We took a pair of handy horses and escaped to the Outlands, where we introduced ourselves, Spellbinder, he called himself.’
    As Argor finished his narration, Spellbinder choked on his wine, tears of laughter running down his lean face.
    ‘Braggart’ he spluttered. ‘Liar. Boaster. There were three Guardsmen, the extra two were supplied by your wine-fuddled eyes. I killed one before you even managed to untangle yourself from the arms of that painted strumpet. One, you slew. As I recall, you staggered in your drunkenness and knocked him over when you fell against him. The third, I took.’
    ‘Perhaps.’ Argor filled a third goblet. ‘But Lyand would still welcome both our heads on watch-skulls on the gate.’
    ‘So I’ll darken my face and change my clothing. There’s no more danger in it than trusting in Titus.’
    Argor grimaced and was about to speak again, but Raven interrupted him.
    ‘I’ll come with you. I’d life see the city again; maybe Donwayne, too.’
    A sudden silence fell upon the men, as though both were nervous of such a meeting. Then, slowly, Spellbinder nodded.
    ‘Very well. It’s unlikely anyone will recognize you, but follow my example, act as I do. And remember that caution must be our watchword.’
    Raven smiled her agreement, suddenly excited at the prospect of seeing hated Lyand again.

Four
‘Whatever the weapon, it must be tested. The making may have concealed imperfections such as show only in use.’
    The Books of Kharwhan
    The city rose like a jewel from the yellow sand. Its contours were those of the country around it, undulating softly upwards in shades of gold and ochre and brown. Around the farthest perimeter, there stretched a great wall, twice the height of a tall man. It was a stone-built thing,