Path of the Sun: A Novel of Dhulyn and Parno Read Online Free PDF

Firehawk, Schooled by Yoruk Silverheels, way to the west. But the other you may know, Delvik Bloodeye, called the Bull, Schooled by Nerysa Warhammer.”
    Parno shrugged without turning. “After my time, though I think I’ve heard the name.”
    “So, with an experienced Brother there, no alarm would have arisen—ordinarily—no special notice given to the fact that they have not been heard from since.”
    “Ordinarily?”
    “Gustof Ironhand was the Senior Brother who sent these two to Menoin. He, now that the old Tarkin is gone, is the only one who knew that the contract had asked for two Brothers as bodyguards not for the old Tarkin but for the heir, the young man who is now Tarkin.”
    “With a specified term set?”
    “No term.”
    “So their contract did not expire on the old man’s death.” The tone of Parno’s voice, even nightwatch quiet, set chill fingers dancing up Dhulyn’s spine. “They should still be in Menoin.”
    “And I’ll wager my second-best sword that you’ve sent to Ishkanbar, and these Brothers never called into the Mercenary House there to announce their arrival,” Dhulyn said. “Otherwise, we would not be having this conversation now.”
    “It is always a joy to find that one’s students are still as sharp as two daggers, even all these years after leaving their School.”
    “So we’re not being given a minor punishment by being sent to Menoin as the bodyguards of the Arderon Princess,” Parno said. “That’s merely our excuse for arriving there unasked for.”
    Dhulyn was nodding, her eyes fixed on Dorian’s still smiling face. “We are being sent to find our missing Brothers.”

Two
    “W ILL NO ONE but me say the word Pasillon out loud?” Parno said. It was the beginning of the early night watch, the first chance they’d had to speak alone since Dorian had told them of their real assignment.
    “If our Brothers in Menoin have been somehow turned upon, as they were at Pasillon, then we will avenge them.” Dhulyn’s rough silk voice spoke for his ears only, though there was no one close enough to them to overhear.
    Parno nodded, slowly, keeping his eyes on the shadowy movement of the waves. “The Visions you had last night, did they touch upon this?”
    He felt Dhulyn shrug. “How can I be sure? A sandy-haired man offered help. A carving in a stone wall—oh, and I saw Gundaron of Valdomar, using the Finder’s bowl. All of which could mean anything.”
    “Or nothing,” Parno agreed. “I find myself in two minds about this assignment.”
    “Is that possible? I’d have said you had brains enough for one mind only—” Grinning, Dhulyn ducked the blow Parno aimed at her head. As she crouched under his swinging arm Parno reached out with his other hand and filched the knife Dhulyn always carried inside the back of her vest—only to find that she’d helped herself to his belt dagger as she went down. Silently laughing, he handed Dhulyn back her knife and accepted his dagger in return. Parno felt the soft pressure of her cool hand around his upper arm. He waited until they were once again leaning with their elbows braced against the port rail of the main deck, a few paces away from the door of the Princess’ cabin, before continuing his thought.
    “On the one hand, I would never knowingly wish for Pasillon to be repeated. For any Brother to be in such a position that revenge is the best we can hope for. But…” Parno shrugged. “If the alternative is to guard a woman on the way to her wedding . . .”
    “Here I was thinking that after what we have been through in the last few moons, a quiet assignment would be very welcome,” Dhulyn said.
    Parno looked at his Partner, glad that the darkness covered the frown he felt forming between his eyebrows. This was the part of her that only he ever saw. The part that would just as soon lie under a shady tree with a book and a wineskin as ride into a battle. Not that she didn’t do the latter very well