The Living Sword Read Online Free PDF Page A

than one of them held a weapon as they sailed past. Only the orc at the helm, their leader, kept his eyes forward as if their ship didn't exist. Still, Eurik didn't relax. Orcs would only be led where they wanted to go, and it was looking like this captain hadn't done a good job in convincing his crew to follow him.
    “They look unhappy,” Patheos observed.
    “If they were going to defy their leader, they would have done it before now,” Eurik reasoned. “There's no way they'd catch us when we're both sailing with the wind.” Still, even he only started to feel better when the longship shrank into the distance.
     
    ***
     
    The seagulls bobbing in the sea indicated they were approaching land. The increase in traffic told Eurik they were getting closer to Linese. He counted six ships in the gloom of the setting sun, including two low-slung warships escorting a sleek ship with two masts. A long purple banner flew from one of them.
    “And here I thought I'd done a good job keeping track of time,” Patheos mused as he joined Eurik at the railing.
    “What do you mean?”
    The scholar's hand swept out to indicate the small convoy on their right. “Behold, one of the traditions of my people. That ship carries the report of the High Governor on the state of the Overseas Provinces to Nese. When I was young they sent it every year, now it's only once every five.”
    Eurik frowned. “But... there has been no contact with the other continent in 240 years.”
    Patheos chuckled. “Oh, the scroll is probably empty. And High Governor Alexandrios II is supposed to have filled his with poetry. The custom hails back all the way to the invasion itself, when General Parmenos sent word back to Nese that the army had landed. No reply came back, of course, so he sent another ship, and when he didn't hear back from that one, he sent another.”
    “I know that. I did read your manuscript,” Eurik reminded him. “What I'm asking is why Pelagrian kept up the practice, given that he took over from Parmenos on the basis that they had to accept no reinforcements would come from Nese. If he knew the ships would never reach their destination, why send them at all?”
    “Because he knew that the connection mattered. The ships, the reports, they are a reminder that we're not just another kingdom, that we're part of something bigger. But Pelagrian wasn't a fool. That's why he stopped using warships, and crewed them with criminals. If they managed the journey, they would be pardoned, if they didn't ...” Patheos shrugged.
    “However,” the scholar went on, “that too is part of history now. These days it's an entire festival. The city turns out to watch the courier leave and young nobles compete over the chance to captain the Pelagrian . Those warships aren't there anymore to guard prisoners, but to escort the courier past the Orcish Isles. There they wait a day, and then they all sail back. But if it is a more useful piece of history you are interested in, why don't you look there,” Patheos said as he pointed past the bow.
    Eurik looked and saw what at first glance appeared to be a star peaking over the horizon. Except the light was off, bigger than any star he'd seen, but not as bright. “The Star of Alexandrios. I read about it in Barsoc's guide to—”
    “Barsoc?! Your first glimpse of one of the marvels of the City and you bring up the scribblings of that Volsomer.”
    “I thought his tour of Linese to be very descriptive,” he replied mildly.
    “Descriptive, he says,” Patheos grouched. “Oh, he was descriptive alright. He managed to subscribe to just about every rumor and old wives' tale in one small volume. Like his warning about Nosferatu in the sewers. He couldn't be satisfied with the goblins that are actually there, he has to emphasize not to venture into them by having demonically infested corpses wandering the tunnels underneath the city. That's how you can tell it was written for Volsomers, they need to have the