Servant of a Dark God Read Online Free PDF Page A

opportunity after opportunity, your race. You can’t keep yourselves clean, can you?”
    “Zu,” said Talen. “All I did was come for layers. And these men, without provocation, set upon me.”
    “You ought to press him,” the Fir-Noy suggested. “Who knows how wide their network is? And think about it. I’m told this skinny thing is a half-breed. But not just any old mongrel. This one’s connected to high places, given special treatment. I’m told Argoth is going to adopt him into his family and give him a chance to earn the wrist of a Shoka man.” He spat at Talen’s feet. “This one can walk about and spy without being given a second glance.”
    It was true Uncle Argoth and Da had recently talked about marrying Talen to a Mokaddian. It wasn’t necessary for him to be adopted into a Mokaddian family to do so. But it would smooth the process. However, there were some Shoka who thought it a scandal. Even among the Shoka of Stag Home there were still a few who still wondered how Talen’s mother, a Mokaddian of some station, could willingly debase herself and foul her offspring by marrying and mating Da, a full Koramite. There were those who saw her untimely death as a confirmation of that poor choice. Nevertheless, Uncle Argoth was determined to make him a full member of the clan, wrist tattoo and all.
    “Are you spying?” asked the bailiff.
    “Zu,” said Talen, “I mean no disrespect, but what would the purpose of such spying be? I have no idea what this is about.”
    “Don’t feign ignorance,” the Fir-Noy growled.
    “I am what you see,” Talen said to the bailiff. “Nothing more.”
    “He’s lying,” said the Fir-Noy. “Take him and press the truth out.”
    The bailiff turned to the Fir-Noy. “This is Shoka land, not Fir-Noy. Your news has caused trouble enough. I won’t let it bring murder to my fields.”
    “Killing a Koramite isn’t murder.”
    “It is here,” the bailiff said.
    The Fir-Noy licked his fat lips and shook his head in disgust, but he made no reply.
    Talen addressed the bailiff. “You know my family. Surely, you can’t think I am one of them.”
    “I can think anything I want,” said the bailiff. “I stake my reputation vouching for you and your people. But your actions have begun to stain me.”
    “No, Zu. Not mine. We carry no stain.” The bailiff knew him. Da had given his boy a foundling wildcat. He’d taught the bailiff himself a better way of drawing his bow. And, in return, the bailiff had invited Da on many a hunt. Surely, the bailiff’s vision would not be clouded with Fir-Noy rubbish.
    The bailiff looked at Talen as if he were weighing him.
    “I find no cause to accuse this boy,” the bailiff finally said. “Not today.”
    Talen bowed in gratitude. “Zu, you are clear-sighted and wise.”
    “Then prove me right. Packs of bounty hunters will begin to stalk these woods. But if a Koramite were to bring the hatchlings in, that would say something, wouldn’t it.”
    “Yes,” said the Fir-Noy. “It will say that Koramites, like crows, feed on the carrion of their own kind. It proves nothing.”
    Anger flashed up in Talen. Fir-Noy did nothing but pick and feed on the work of others. He knew he should keep his mouth shut, but he couldn’t help himself. The words were leaping out before he knew what he was saying.
    “Well, Zu,” said Talen, “at least we’re willing to make something useful of our carrion; it appears the Fir-Noy simply let theirs parade about full of maggots and stink.”
    Anger flushed the Fir-Noy’s face, and he kicked his horse forward to get at Talen.
    Talen cringed, but the bailiff grabbed the Fir-Noy’s reins and pulled the horse up short.
    “He’ll take that back!” said the Fir-Noy. “I won’t stand for this, Shoka land or no.”
    The bailiff turned to Talen. “This is the last time you can expect protection from your own stupidity. Apologize!”
    “Yes,” said Talen. “Of course.” He faced the Fir-Noy and stood