Dzur Read Online Free PDF Page B

nodded.
    "Very well," said Aliera. Then she said, "Sethra, there are things we should discuss."
    I moaned softly, and they both looked at me.
    I said, "If you're implying I should move, I'm not certain I can." Aliera frowned again; then her face cleared and she said, "Oh, Valabar's. How was it?"
    "Beyond all praise."
    "I should eat there sometime."
    She had never . . . ? I stared at her, but words failed me. Maybe she was lying.
    "Come, Aliera," said Sethra. "Let's take a walk." They did, and I took a nap one of those naps where you don't actually fall asleep, you just lie there, filled with food, a stupid smile on your face.
    Yeah, sometimes I love life.
    "Hello Vlad," said Cawti. "I'm sorry to wake you, but I was told you wished to speak with me."
    "I wasn't sleeping," I said.
    "Of course not."
    She looked good. She'd gained a few pounds here and there, but they were pleasing pounds. She was wearing a gray shirt with long, sharp collars, and maroon trousers that tapered down to her pointed black boots. She carried a dagger with a plain leather-wrapped hilt, but no other weapons that I could spot. And I'm good at spotting weapons.
    "Mind if I sit down?"
    "Uh, I hadn't known you needed my permission." Loiosh and Rocza were both twitching.
    "Go ahead."
    "You sure?"
    "Yeah."
    He flew over to her hand and rubbed his face on hers. She smiled and said hello to him. After a moment, Rocza flew over and landed on her shoulder. She scratched and cooed at them. It was obvious she'd missed them. I could have felt good and sorry for myself if I'd wanted to. She said, "I heard about your hand."
    I glanced at it. "From?"
    "Kiera."
    I nodded. "Nice to know you're still in touch with her." She nodded. "How did it happen, exactly?"
    "Kiera?"
    "The finger," she said, without cracking a smile.
    "I went back East for visit, and forgot to pack it when I re-turned."
    "Have you actually been back East again?"
    I nodded. "I learned to ride a horse, but not to enjoy doing so." That got a bit of smile. Then she said, "So, what's on your mind?"
    "South Adrilankha."
    "You've heard about that?"
    "Yeah."
    "From Aliera, no doubt."
    "Indirectly."
    "So, let me guess, you're going to come into town and save me like a Dzur rescuing a helpless maiden."
    "That isn't exactly what I had in mind." Actually, it had been pretty much spot-on, damn her. "Are you going to claim that everything is fine, and you don't need any help?"
    "Just what help can you offer, Vlad? And I don't mean that rhetorically." She called me "Vlad." She used to call me "Vladimir."
    "I know people. Some of them will still be willing to do things for me."
    "Like what? Kill you? You know how much of a price the Jhereg has on your head?"
    "Uh ...no. How much?" Odd that it hadn't occurred to me to wonder at the exact amount.
    "Well, I'm not sure, actually. A lot though."
    "I suppose. But, yeah, there are people I can ask questions of, at least." Before she could answer, I said, "So, how are things with you?"
    "Well enough. And you?"
    I made a sort of non-committal sound. She nodded, and said, "Have I grown a wart?"
    "Hm?"
    "You keep looking at me, and then looking away."
    "Oh."
    Loiosh flew back to me. Cawti scratched Rocza behind the head. "You're in trouble," I said.
    She nodded.
    "I can help."
    "I hate that. What?"
    "Nothing. I thought you'd been about to say . . . never mind. The fact is, I can help."
    "I don't hate you, Vlad."
    "Good. Does that mean I should go ahead?"
    Tukko came in then, and asked if we wanted anything. We both said,
    "Klava," and Cawti said, "Extra cream in his, but not much honey. You know how I take mine."
    Tukko grunted as if to say either he knew how we both took ours, or that we'd take them as he made them and be happy. "I hate it that I need your help," she said.
    "You said that already. I understand."
    I got up and paced, because I think better that way. She said, "What is it, worried, or unhappy?"
    "Because I'm pacing?"
    "Because your shoulders are hunched forward,