Swords: 08 - The Fifth Book Of Lost Swords - Coinspinner’s Story Read Online Free PDF Page B

adventure of Sword-stealing, the Sword of Chance had performed flawlessly for the man who wore it.
           So far, all was going according to plan. It was necessary to assume that by now the theft from the White Temple had been discovered, and a determined pursuit launched. But until now none of Murat’s people had actually seen anyone coming after them.
           An hour ago Murat had detailed one scout to ride far in the rear for just that purpose. And he was pausing now to let that scout, Lieutenant Kebbi, catch up to report.
           His timing seemed excellent. For even as the Crown Prince and his companions watched, a single rider appeared at a bend in the rearward trail, a couple of hundred meters back. The small figure in its orange-and-blue uniform waved its arm in a prearranged signal meaning that there was news to tell. Then the distant scout urged his mount forward at a good pace.
           Murat, followed by the handful of people with him, spurred his own riding-beast forward along the narrow trail, and in a few moments met the scout. The lieutenant, reining in as he drew near his compatriots, reported in a somewhat breathless voice that the expected enemy pursuit had only just now come into sight.
           “How far back?” the Crown Prince demanded.
           “We’ve half an hour on them yet,” said Kebbi. Then the lieutenant had a question: “Sir, what do you think will be done with the Sword of Mercy after the Royal Consort has been healed?”
           Murat, mildly surprised, blinked at his relative. “I don’t know,” he said. “Not our problem.” Then he paused. “I was quite sincere, you understand, cousin, when I pledged that Woundhealer would promptly be returned to Tasavalta.” The more Murat thought about it now, the more he wondered if the lovely Princess Kristin had been right, and Woundhealer would never be returned, would never have been returned in any case.
           Kebbi persisted. “I understand, sir. But I thought that your pledge was made on the condition that the Sword should be loaned to us willingly, which it most certainly was not.”
           “Well, as I say, it won’t be our problem to worry about.” The Crown Prince looked at his men gathered about him. “Ready to move on? Someone else can take a turn tail-ending.”
           But Kebbi spoke up quickly. “Sir, let me ride back once more—I’ll be better able to judge if they’re truly gaining on us or not.”
           “Very well, that’s a good point. If your mount is tired, pick a spare.” And one of the small group of riders was already leading a spare mount forward.
           With several men to help, changing the lieutenant’s saddle and the rest of his equipment from one animal to the other was the work of only a moment.
           Meanwhile there was more information to be gained. “Can you estimate how many there are in the pursuing force?”
           “Haven’t got that good a look at them yet, sir. But I can let them get a little closer this time. That way I should be able to form an estimate.” On a fresh steed now, Kebbi looked boldly ready to take risks.
           “Wait,” said Murat suddenly, and drew Coinspinner from its sheath at his belt. “This should go with the man in the position of greatest danger and greatest need.”
           The lieutenant stared at him wordlessly for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you, sir.” In another moment, handling both the sharp blades gingerly, he and Murat had exchanged Kebbi’s mundane though well-forged sword for Coinspinner.
           Wasting no time, Kebbi saluted sharply with his new weapon, and turned his mount away. He appeared to be on his way to drop back again and check on the enemy’s progress.
           But once he had ridden away a few meters with Coinspinner still unsheathed in his grip, and had looked it over, as if he were making absolutely sure of