Rise of the Serpent (Serpent's War Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

the bar after the door swung shut behind him. Less than half the tables were filled and of those, only one had more than two people. He studied the table for a long second and then moved on to a table to his left, in the front corner of the bar. Namitus grunted and moved to take a spot at the table where he could keep his eyes on the other table full of people.
    After Amra and Lyden took their seats, a barmaid hurried over to join them and took their order. After she left, the rogue turned to Lyden. “You wished to reconsider? What, exactly, are you reconsidering?”
    “Yes, I did,” the tailor glanced at his daughter and said, “Your offer, that is.”
    Namitus smirked and reached down to untie the satchel from around his waist. He hoisted it up and laid it on the table. “Fine, but dinner’s on you. I gave my other pouch to the witch.”
    Lyden took it and pulled it across the table. He hesitated and glanced at his daughter. Amra’s eyes dropped to the table and she sucked her lips between her teeth. Lyden nodded and pushed the satchel back across to Namitus.
    “What in the nine hells are you doing?” Namitus blurted. “You came all this way to—”
    Lyden held up his hand, making Namitus pause. “Consider this a dowry for my daughter. Take her from this city, to your kingdom and your king. Or at least somewhere where she has a better chance at a future.”
    Namitus’s lips parted as he stared at the tailor.
    “I’d hoped for a different reaction,” Lyden admitted. “I thought you said you wanted to buy her back at my shop.”
    “I did…I mean, I was making small talk. Setting the tone?” Namitus shook his head. “She’s a fine young lady, but a dowry? I’m not…I don’t…I mean…”
    Lyden chuckled. “I understand. My apologies. Such arrangements happen down here and I thought…well, it’s no matter.”
    Namitus sighed. “I know. I’m from Mira. I would be happy to take her with me. I was truthful about finding a job for her. We need good people and I’ve seen her work. She has her father’s skill.”
    Lyden looked to his daughter again. Amra swallowed and kept her eyes down.
    “Look at me, Amra,” Namitus said.
    She glanced up, but it took her three tries until she could hold his gaze.
    “Is this what you want?”
    “What she wants doesn’t—”
    Namitus frowned and shook his head. “It does matter,” he insisted. “It matters very much. I will be traveling light and fast. If I need to worry about her trying to slow me down or run away, I’m not going to bother.”
    She tilted her head but said nothing.
    Lyden turned to her and opened his mouth but instead of talking, he leaned to the right and stared at the other table. He grunted and shook his head, and then turned back. “Sorry, I was admiring that woman’s dress. Simple and cheap fabric, but the way it’s held together shows the skill of a master.”
    Amra turned to glance over her shoulder at the woman. She turned back and nodded, agreeing with her father’s assessment.
    “I’ll take your word for it,” Namitus said. “Now back to Amra. Do you wish to go?”
    “I…” She hesitated and glanced at her father and then back to Namitus. “If if won’t hurt my father’s business, yes, I would like that.”
    “No running or whining or carrying on?”
    She pressed her lips together while her father snickered.
    “She’s a tough young woman, I guarantee you that.”
    Namitus nodded. “All right, then we’ll need to settle up, since I won’t accept a dowry as I’m not looking to wed her.”
    Lyden’s eyes went to the large pouch. “I don’t understand.”
    Namitus pulled the satchel and unbuckled the flap. He glanced about the room before pulling out smaller pouches. He slid four of them across the table. “Payment from the Kingdom of Altonia for your daughter’s service. Consider it a signing bonus.”
    “Shouldn’t she get it?” Lyden asked.
    All eyes went to Amra, causing her face to darken. She kept her