The Book of Taltos Read Online Free PDF Page B

up the stairs, which were deep as well as narrow, designed for Dragaerans rather than humans. There were many steps. The stairway curved gently to our left. At one point we passed a window and I took the opportunity to look out. We were, indeed, high up in the mountains. If I’d had more time, I think I could have enjoyed just looking, as I caught a glimpse of pine trees and a green valley. There was also snow, however, as well as a cold, sharp breeze that struck me through the window. The chill from it continued up the stairs with us. But my stomach was settling down, so I couldn’t complain.
    Morrolan continued two steps ahead of me. I decided he must be pretty trusting to walk with his back to me. On the other hand, my eyes were on a level with the hilt of his longsword. This kept my tongue in check for some time. Eventually, however, I risked saying, “With all respect, my Lord Morrolan.”
    He stopped and turned. “Yes, my good Jhereg?”
    “Would you mind giving me some idea as to what, by all the Demons of Terlocha, is going on?”
    He smiled an enigmatic smile and resumed his climb. I followed. Over his shoulder, he said, “What do you wish to know, my lord?” There was, I think, a bit of ironic emphasis on the last two words.
    I said, “For instance, why did you agree to see me?”
    I saw rather than heard a chuckle at that. “It would have been foolish not to, after going to all that trouble.”
    I’d be lying if I said this didn’t send shivers down my back. A few steps more and I was able to say, “So you planned to bring me to you.”
    “Of course, if we couldn’t convince you to come directly to Dzur Mountain.”
    “Oh. Of course. Foolish of me.”
    “Yes.”
    I clenched my teeth and said nothing. The hilt of his blade was still before my eyes, and I could feel its hunger. I shivered.
    Then, “All right, Lord Morrolan, you have me here. Why?”
    Over his shoulder he said, “Be patient, my lord. You will know soon.”
    “All right.”
    I said nothing for another turn of the stairs, thinking about Sethra Lavode. In all probability, I would soon be meeting her. Why? These people had no cause to kill me, and they could have done so already if they’d wanted. What were they after?
    I said, “What about Quion, then?”
    “Who?”
    “The button-man—the employee of mine who vanished in Dzur Mountain.”
    “Ah. Yes. He was set up, of course. He came across certain information implying that he could expect sanctuary here. The information was incorrect.”
    “I see.”
    Another turn of the stairs. “How much farther up are we going, Lord Morrolan?”
    “Not far, I think. Are you getting tired?”
    “A bit. But never mind.” He’d said “I think.” I pondered that and said, “So, are you a regular visitor to this place?”
    “Oh, yes,” he said. “Sethra and I see each other often.”
    That set me a pretty mystery, with which I was able to occupy myself for another turn or two of that endless stairway. Why was he unsure of the length of the stair if he was often at Dzur Mountain? Obviously because he didn’t usually come this way. We passed a heavy wooden door on the left side but didn’t stop. Why was he coming this way now? In order to tire me out, or else to size me up, or both.
    This realization, which ought to have put me more on guard, actually did nothing except make me more angry. But, with some difficulty, I kept my voice even as I went back to an earlier subject of conversation.
    “Lord Morrolan, I think I can understand how it was that you knew Quion would come to Dzur Mountain with the gold.”
    “I am pleased for you.”
    “But what I don’t understand is how you knew he was going to grab the money in the first place.”
    “Oh, that part was easy. You see, I am something of a witch. As are you, I believe.”
    “Yes,” I said.
    “Well, then, as you know, with witchcraft it is possible to plant an idea in someone’s head. We let it occur to him that it would be a