Dragon (Vlad Taltos) Read Online Free PDF

nothing to it, and began looking around. Kragar and Daymar stayed behind me.
    The weapons were a bit more arranged than I’d first thought—they were stacked, rather than just lying around, and they were all in sheaths or scabbards—I tried not to think of how it would feel if they’d been naked. I couldn’t, however, discern exactly what the order or arrangement was.
    “The most powerful are at this end,” said Daymar conversationally, “and the weakest are down there. That’s a Jhereg on your shoulder, isn’t it?”
    “Psychics,” I said. “And a keen eye for detail as well,” I added.
    “Excuse me? Oh, that was irony, wasn’t it?”
    “Sorry. I’m a bit jumpy.”
    “Oh? Why?”
    I glanced at Kragar, who, it appeared, was gallantly attempting not to smile. I left the question hanging and tried to look like I was studying the weapons, while simultaneously not really looking at them. This isn’t easy, and it didn’t work—they kept assaulting my mind, Daymar’s psychic ability notwithstanding.
    “How do you link to it?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “The Jhereg. You must have some sort of psychic link to it. How—”
    “Witchcraft,” I said.
    “I see. Does it involve—?”
    “I don’t care to discuss it.”
    “All right,” said Daymar, looking puzzled and maybe a little hurt once more. I wasn’t used to running into Dragaerans who had sensitive feelings.
    “So,” said Kragar. “Any ideas on how to go about this?”
    I glanced at him again, and he flushed a little—whoever this Daymar was, I wasn’t prepared to discuss my business in front of him, and Kragar ought to have known that.
    “What are you trying to do?” said Daymar.
    “It’s hard to explain,” I said.
    “Oh, well then—” he said, and, as I was still looking at Kragar, I saw a startled look spread over his features.
    I said, “What—”
    “Mind probe, Boss. A really, really, good one. And fast. That guy— ”
    I picked up the weapon closest to me, a dagger, and pulled it from its sheath. I crossed the room, stopping in front of Daymar, about four feet away. I stared up at him, holding the weapon casually in front of me. I was no longer frightened of the thing; it was as if something had taken control of me, and that something was red and burning. I said, “Look, I appreciate your help, but if you ever mind-probe one of my people again, it’ll be the last thing you ever do, in this life or any other. Is that clear?”
    He seemed a little startled but not at all frightened. “Sorry,” he said. “I won’t do it again.”
    I turned away, took a deep breath, and sheathed the weapon. I never know what to say after I’ve intimidated someone; I ought to keep a list of tough-guy remarks.
    “I do have a suggestion, however.”
    I turned around and stared at him, not quite sure what I was hearing.
    “Boss, either you’re losing your touch or this guy is really stupid.”
    “Well,” continued Daymar, “since I know anyway …”
    I gave Kragar a “What should I do about this?” look, and he returned a “Don’t ask me” shrug.
    I sighed. “All right, Daymar. Let’s hear it.”
    “Well, Morrolan thinks someone is going to try to steal these weapons, right? And you—”
    “Do you know Morrolan?” I said.
    “Certainly. Why?”
    “I just wondered. Go on.”
    “You want to trap whoever it is.”
    “Trap? Maybe. At least find the culprit, if there is one.”
    “I can set up a psychic trace that will let us identify anyone who steps in here.”
    “Sounds too easy,” I said.
    “No one guards against psychics.”
    “What about Kiera?”
    “Who?”
    “Never mind,” I said. “If something is missing and we don’t know how, Kiera took it.”
    “Then what?” put in Kragar.
    “That’s easy. We give up and report failure, which I should have done already.”
    “Sounds reasonable.”
    “Well?” said Daymar.
    “All right,” I said. “Do whatever you have to do.”
    “It’s done,” he