Duskfall Read Online Free PDF Page A

received a year ago. It ached often, and carrying Winter made it hurt all the more.
    “You believe the disciple? Seemed a bit off her rocker to me,” a man said. Knot could see the two men clearly now in the lamplight, dressed in light armor and carrying spears. Town Watch.
    “She said the elf-lover and the other humans did all the killing, attacking the tiellans and the disciples and then going after each other. The elf-lover and one of the foreigners escaped, leaving everyone else to die.”
    Knot frowned. “Elf-lover” was a term he’d heard more often than he liked in the past year, always in reference to himself. They were blaming
him
for the massacre?
    Silence for a moment. Then the second watchman spoke again. “Good riddance to the elves. Should all be gone by now, makes no difference to me if they’re dead. What was done to the disciples, and a
priestess
of all people, now that’s a real crime.”
    “Aye. Only reason I’m out here in the snow searching for the bastards. Sure as Oblivion wouldn’t be out here for no damned elves.”
    “Hope we come across the elf-lover first. Been wanting to rough that one up since he arrived.”
    The other man grunted in agreement, and they walked past Knot towards the town center. If the Town Watch had been alerted, then the Goddessguard surely had been as well. Knot also knew, though not how, that word would have been sent to Cineste and a brace of the City Watch would arrive within the week. Nine mysterious deaths, including those of three members of the clergy, was too big for Pranna to handle on its own. The Cantic Denomination might even send a Crucible to investigate.
    Knot’s original surprise at the Watch accusing him was already beginning to fade. The humans in this town had never liked him. Just as bad as the tiellans, it seemed, was a human who fell in with them.
    “The other dead humans don’t make much sense,” the first watchman said. “Chief says they’re from Maven Kol, says he’s seen robes like that down there.”
    “Chief has never been down to Maven Kol,” the other man scoffed. “He don’t know what he’s talking about.”
    “Try telling him that.”
    Knot twitched. The men were wrong. The robed attackers weren’t from Maven Kol; their accents had been Rodenese. He knew Roden by name only; he had no recollection of being there. Nevertheless, something tugged at him, deep within his mind.
    The conversation faded. Knot waited until their lamplight was gone, then lifted Winter. If they were blaming him for the deaths, all the better. His plan wouldn’t change.
    * * *
    “Knot, you’re all right!” Eranda ran towards him, looking down at Winter with fear in her eyes. Knot had trudged through fresh snow that was already nearly a hand deep to the small hut.
    “Oh, Goddess,” Eranda whispered. She looked up at Knot. “Is she…?”
    “Unconscious. But she’ll live.”
    Darrin, Eranda’s husband, stepped forward. “Let me take her,” he offered. “You’ve carried her all this way.”
    “No,” Knot said, surprised at how much he wanted to continue holding her. “I… I’ve got her.”
    Lian walked in with Darrin and Eranda’s youngest boy, Tohn, in his arms. Sena, eyes red, and the younger daughter, Lelanda, followed close behind. Lian glared at Knot, eyes dark.
    Knot let out a slow breath. Lian must’ve come straight here after what happened to make sure Eranda and Sena were alright.
    “Knot,” Eranda said, her voice strained, “what in Oblivion happened? Lian refuses to speak about it, we don’t know—”
    “Please,” Knot said. “I need to settle her down first. Make sure she’s okay.”
    Darrin looked at Knot, then down at Winter. The man had never been particularly friendly to Knot, but he’d never been hostile, either. Knot had brought Winter here because he was gambling on the man’s integrity.
    “Very well then,” Darrin drawled. He glanced at Eranda. “Let’s get the children out of the bedroom. Give