Soothsayer Read Online Free PDF Page B

feelings precisely,” agreed Merlin.
    "If he doesn't get up and walk away, kill him,” said the Mouse.
    "There are a lot of witnesses,” said MacLemore, suddenly tense.
    "They don't give a damn about any of us,” replied the Mouse.
    "Forgive my saying it, but you're a bloodthirsty little lady, ma'am,” said MacLemore, his right hand inching down to the hand-axe he had tucked in his belt.
    Suddenly the Mouse stood up and threw her knife at him. It caught him in the right shoulder, and he shrieked in pain.
    "Nobody does that to Hatchet Jack!” he bellowed, awkwardly trying to withdraw his hand-axe with his left hand.
    There was a brief buzzing sound as Merlin fired his laser pistol, and MacLemore collapsed across the table, his head smoking and sizzling.
    "Wonderful,” muttered Merlin, staring at the humans at the bar, who had all turned to see what was happening. “What now?"
    "Now we get the hell out of here,” said the Mouse, retrieving her knife with a hard jerk.
    "Start walking to the door."
    She nodded and did as he said, while he faced the assembled spectators.
    Nobody moved. The silence was almost palpable, broken only by the creaking of the overhead fans as they continued to turn slowly.
    "He threatened us,” said Merlin at last, starting to back toward the door. “It was self defense."
    The bartender, who had been totally motionless, picked up a glass and began wiping it absently. “No one's prepared to argue that point while you've got a gun trained on us, Mister,” he said. “And no one's going to weep bitter tears over Hatchet Jack's grave, either."
    "I'm delighted you're being so reasonable about it,” said Merlin, reaching the door.
    "You got the gun."
    "Just remember that."
    "Got a bit of advice for you, though,” said the bartender.
    "What is it?"
    "I wouldn't try using that gun on the next fellow who comes to talk to you. There won't be enough of you left to bury."
    "Who else is looking for me?"
    "You'll find out soon enough,” said the bartender. “I don't know what you've got, Mister, but some pretty dangerous people don't want you to keep it."
    "Who?"
    "You'll know ‘em when you see ‘em."
    "If you see them first,” said Merlin, “tell them that I'm a peace-loving man, and that anything I've got is for sale."
    "I'll do that,” said the bartender. “Now you can do me a favor and get the hell out of here before they find you. I don't want my tavern all shot up."
    Merlin waved his laser pistol in the air. “If anyone follows me, he's going to wish he hadn't."
    "You made your point,” said the bartender. “Just leave."
    Merlin backed into the street. “Did you hear all that?” he asked the Mouse.
    "Yes,” she answered. “We'd better get back to the ship fast—if it's still there."
    "Damn!” muttered Merlin. “I hadn't thought of that. If we didn't have the girl with us, of course they'd go to the ship!"
    They began walking rapidly out of the Tradertown, keeping to the shadows cast by the buildings wherever they could, wary of any possible ambush.
    "How did word of what we did get here so fast?” demanded Merlin, increasing his pace.
    "Her family must be even richer than I thought,” said the Mouse.
    "Right at this moment, anyone who wants her can have her, as far as I'm concerned,” said Merlin. “That's the first time I've ever killed a man. I don't care how big the reward is, she's not worth the trouble."
    "The first time?” said the Mouse, surprised.
    "Yes."
    "You handled yourself very well."
    "It was like some big game of upmanship until you threw your knife at him,” replied Merlin. “Then I just pulled the trigger without thinking."
    "That's the best way,” said the Mouse. “Start thinking about what you're going to do, and you start thinking about what might happen to you, and then you start hesitating, and before you know it you're dead."
    "You talk about it like it was a daily occurrence. I've just killed a man!"
    "He was going to kill us,” said the Mouse