The Sunset Warrior - 01 Read Online Free PDF Page A

actually two cubicles, considerably more space than that of any other Bladesmen. Chondrin were allotted this much room; Saardin had of course quite a bit more.
    K’reen was there when they arrived. Her thick, dark hair was up and coiffed for Sehna but she still wore her work clothes: close-fitting leggings, and shirt loose through the torso to de-emphasize the body underneath, with light sleeves. She was tall, fully Ronin’s height, with a long, graceful neck, generous mouth, and wide-set, dark eyes. When they came in, she smiled and touched Ronin’s hand.
    He was momentarily surprised because she should have been either finishing up her work on the Med Training Level or in her own quarters dressing for Sehna.
    She breezed past them, on her way out. ‘I spent too much time searching for these in my quarters’—she waved silver bracelets at them—‘until I realized I had left them here.’ She stuck her tongue out at Nirren and he grinned. ‘Unless I run I will never make Sehna on time.’ She closed the door behind her.
    Ronin crossed to a cabinet, reached out a flagon of wine and goblets, poured them both drink. Already K’reen was gone from his mind.
    They sat facing each other on low stools covered with fur. The harsh, white light of the Overheads washed over them, draining the colour from their faces. Nirren sipped at his wine. Ronin’s lay untouched at his feet. He told the Chondrin about his meeting with Freidal. The other’s eyes flashed briefly.
    ‘What do you think?’
    Nirren stood and paced the small room. ‘I think I must find out why Freidal is so interested in that Magic Man.’
    ‘They claim he is mad.’
    ‘If that is so, perhaps they made him mad.’
    ‘But the spots.’
    Nirren turned. ‘What?’
    ‘The marks on Borros’s head.’
    ‘Ah, yes. The Dehn spots. That could have been it, you see. And all the more reason for me to find out what Freidal is planning as quickly as possible. Few people know of the Dehn. It is a machine of the Ancients. Like so many of the mysterious artefacts that keep us alive here—provide us with air and heat and light, more than three kilometres below the surface of the planet—we know only what it does; the how is beyond us.’ His voice took on a bitter edge. ‘Yet we have knowledge enough to use it. Wires are attached to the head—at the places where you saw the spots—and shocks are delivered to the brain by the same method by which our Overheads function. Do you remember the Neer who opened one up some time ago and touched the wrong wire? He was black when they found him, and he stank. They had a lot of trouble identifying him became his plate had melted.’ He sipped his wine and sat down again.
    ‘In any event, the Dehn is very painful, so I am told. Consequently it can be quite reliable in obtaining information from recalcitrants. But there is trouble in controlling it; what can you expect when you are in the dark.’ He paused for a moment, lost in thought. ‘What is Freidal up to?’
    Ronin felt something stir within him. He rose. ‘Let me understand this. Are you saying that the Saardin of Security has interfered in the work of a Magic Man, has—what, tortured him, to gain information that he will use for himself?’
    Nirren stabbed a finger in the air and his eyes sparkled. ‘Precisely, my friend. I see there is hope for you yet. The time of battle draws nigh, and when it comes Freidal and Jargiss shall be on opposing sides. We are enemies, he and I.’ He grasped Ronin by the shoulders. ‘Listen, my friend, the time for neutrality has passed. All shall be affected by the struggle. You must help us. Ask Stahlig to talk to Borros while there is still time. It is the only way, I cannot get at Freidal quickly. And if we gain knowledge of his secret, it will give us much strength.’
    ‘Perhaps Freidal has learned nothing.’
    ‘I cannot afford to think that way.’
    Ronin looked at him. ‘You do not care what they have done to him. I do