City of Death Read Online Free PDF

clumsy sorceress and a grouchy lynx. Protecting M ā ka would only increase the risk for the rest of them.
    Scirye eyed the others, hoping for help in refusing M ā ka’s proposal of help. But Leech’s chin was sunk against his chest as he thought about something. He seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. You almost had to give him a good shake to get his attention. Bayang was just as lost in thought and looking troubled. Only Koko looked as uncomfortable as Scirye felt.
    It was up to Kles to politely decline the clumsy sorceress’s offer. “Tsk, tsk. I’m afraid that audience etiquette is a casualty of modern times. On behalf of my companions, let me thank you for your warm and gracious offer to assist us, but surely you have other performances scheduled.”
    â€œYeah,” Koko said drily, “and more soup to make.”
    M ā ka’s bells jingled and her braclets jangled as she shook her head. “When there is evil present, it is the duty of every follower of the True Path to fight it. It is Heaven’s Will. Our public will just have to understand.”
    As the kindly M ā ka puttered about the cave and fussed over them, Scirye didn’t have the heart to turn down her offer. Scirye had already come to like the magician too much.
    When steam finally curled from the kettle spout, M ā ka dropped tea leaves into the kettle, measuring them out as if they were flakes of gold at first. And then with a smile at Scirye, M ā ka impulsively dumped in a double measure. “No sense being stingy. We want a proper cup of tea to toast teaching Roland a lesson.”
    â€œLet’s just hope that vegetables is all he throws at us,” grumped Tute.
    Suddenly, over the crackling of the fire, they heard a faint howling sound.
    â€œWhat now?” Koko groaned.

 
    7
    Bayang
    Leaning forward, M ā ka stoked the fire so that it blazed up even higher and hotter. “Don’t worry. The fire should keep the wolves away.”
    The noise had brought Bayang out of her own dark thoughts. She leaned her head out of the cave and studied the surrounding mountains. “If they are wolves.”
    â€œDo you think Roland might have hired more thugs just like he did the thunder lord?” Scirye asked.
    Bayang nodded. “We must really be bothering him. It’s a compliment in a way.” She dipped her head toward M ā ka and Tute. “I’m sorry for getting you involved.”
    â€œDon’t be silly. As I said before, it was Fate that brought us together.” With warm water from the kettle, M ā ka tried to wipe away a tomato stain from her skirt, but only succeeded in smearing it around more.
    Apparently human fledglings like M ā ka were just as reckless as her own hatchlings, Bayang thought. “Scirye, if you’d be so kind as to send out Kles to scout?”
    â€œOf course,” the girl said, but she wagged a finger at the griffin. “Just be careful.”
    â€œI always am,” the griffin said and hopped off her lap, his claws clacking on the stone as he bounded out of the cave. Spreading his wings, he shot out into the open air.
    Getting to her feet, Scirye followed him to the cave mouth, watching him anxiously.
    Leech shed his blanket and rose, pointing his weapon ring at the wagon. “You might want to bring in your horse.”
    M ā ka coughed in embarrassment. “Well, um, I would but she ran off yesterday.”
    â€œI told you the knot in the halter rope wasn’t tight enough.” Tute yawned. “But would you listen?”
    â€œI just hope she’s far away by now,” M ā ka said.
    Tute stretched, his claws clicking on the stone. “Probably. She was a lot more sensible than me.”
    â€œToo bad we can’t say the same,” sighed Koko. He drew out a glittering axe.
    Tute’s eyebrows rose. “And here I thought you were just your typical flying riffraff.”
    Koko