The Living Sword by Pemry Janes Read Free Book Online Page B

said, “I didn't know you were an expert on Nesan legends.”
    “I didn't either! But you mentioned those others and suddenly, I knew every statue and I could recite their stories.”
    “Why would a sword need to know that,” Dak wondered.
    “I... don't know,” Misthell admitted. “It's important, I know that much. It's part of my … my purpose. But I can't tell how,” he said in a huff.
    “It might be related to whatever ability you have. Living swords are supposed to possess them,” Eurik guessed.
    “Maybe. Or maybe my creators were obsessed with stories.”
    “That would be something.” He looked up at Vulpos again and noticed that the cloak was actually the skin of a fox. Eurik stared at it for a few moments longer before he let himself be led away by a now impatient Dak. 'Was that why they were traveling?' he mused to himself.
     
    ***
     
    Dak led them back into the warren of tall apartment buildings ringing the harbor. They left the paved streets behind and entered the muddy alleys squeezed in between the buildings. His nose told him it wasn't only mud he was about to walk through.
    Eurik didn't miss a beat and sent his awareness out; he packed dirt together, squeezing out the water, and formed a narrow path of dry earth for himself. 'Have to be careful with these boots. I don't have spares.'
    Even though there was less room here, that didn't slow down the people around him. Eurik bumped into more than one person. Hands brushed against his sash, but he easily moved his money out of the way of those questing fingers. 'Thank you for the warning, Barsoc.'
    Dak ducked into one of the small eateries nestled on the ground floor of the buildings. Looking up, Eurik saw that someone had painted the word “Simios” above the wide entrance next to a drawing of a dancing cow.
    “And we're here,” his guide announced. “They got the best burgers in the lowers here.”
    “Since you're familiar with this place, why don't you order,” Eurik said as they took their seats at the counter. “But nothing strong to drink, please. We rarely drink on the island.”
    Dak frowned. “If you don't drink, how do you survive? A man can't live long without drinking.”
    “Ah, we do drink. But it is mostly water, not wine or beer.”
    It earned him another disbelieving stare. Eurik knew water was used for many things in Linese, but not to quench your thirst. Before Dak could comment, however, the man behind the counter turned his attention to them having finished helping another customer. “What will it be?”
    “Two burgers and two cups of light beer,” Dak ordered.
    “That'll be sixteen coppers.”
    Eurik fished the quarter of a coin and a few copper coins out of his pocket and put them down. The man glanced between them, then he simply picked up the money, though he gave the silver a good look before they all vanished behind his leather apron. “It'll be done right quick.”
    Eurik watched as the cook, his hair forming a silver fringe around his head, opened a chest next to the iron plate being heated by coals. Wisps of vapor curled around his arm as he reached in and pulled out two meat patties. “Cold stones are giving out,” he grumbled as he closed the lid again.
    While the meat sizzled on the plate and their scent filled the air, their cook retrieved two objects from a rack and started cutting them in half. He'd seen enough examples by now to know that he wasn't looking at some sort of large mushroom, but bread.
    “Where do you want to go after this?” Dak asked.
    “I'm not really sure. I've read about the temples here; they don't have those on San,” Eurik mused.
    “There's a temple to Aethel the Joyful nearby. The priestesses there are very pretty.”
    “I don't, uhm, I am not looking to worship your gods.”
    Dak shrugged and gave him a grin. “The priestesses don't care as long you pay. Supposed to be the act that's holy anyway.”
    “I'm also not looking for companionship. Not today.”
    “Huh, most