The Sword of Destiny Read Online Free PDF Page A

warrior."
    "I think" said the magician having taken a small sip in a distinguished fashion, "that you're waiting at the bridge for the same reason that I do."
    "If you're thinking of the dragon, Lord Dorregaray," replied Jaskier, "that is it exactly. I want to be present at the battle and to compose a ballad. Unfortunately, the lieutenant here, a man some might say is lacking in manners, refused me passage. He demands a pass."
    "I beg your pardon." the halberdier clucked his tongue and drank his beer. "I can let nobody through without permission. I have no choice in the matter. It seems that all of Holopole prepared wagons to hunt the dragon in the mountain, but I must comply with orders... "
    "Your orders, soldier," Dorregaray interrupted, frowning, "concern the unpleasant rabble, the prostitutes likely to spread immorality and riot, thieves, scoundrels and that type. But not me."
    "I let nobody through without permission, " retorted the lieutenant pointedly."I swear..."
    "Don't swear," Three Jackdaws interrupted him, rather coldly. "Tea, pour another one for the valiant warrior! Let us sit down, my lords. To drink standing up, quickly and without appreciating the merchandise, is not fitting for the nobility."
    They sat down on logs scattered around the keg. The halberdier, newly promoted to noble, became crimson with contentment.
    "Drink, brave captain," pressed Three Jackdaws.
    "I am only a lieutenant, not a captain," he answered, going red with renewed vigour.
    "But you will become a captain, it's obvious." Borch grinned. "Boys as clever as you get promoted in a jiffy."
    Dorregaray turned to Geralt having refused an additional glassful:
    "In town they're still talking about your basilisk, noble witcher, and you are already taking an interest in the dragon," he said in a low voice. "I'm curious to know if you intend to slay this endangered species for pleasure or for pay."
    "Such curiosity is unusual," replied Geralt, "when it comes from somebody who flocks double quick to the execution of a dragon to rip out his teeth. Aren't they precious for the making of your medicines and magical elixirs? Is it true, noble magician, that those ripped from still living dragons are the best?"
    "Are you sure that's why I'm here?"
    "Yes, I'm sure about that. But somebody has beaten you to it, Dorregaray. One of your female colleagues crossed the bridge armed with the pass that you lack. A sorceress with black hair, if it interests you."
    "On a black horse?"
    "Yes, apparently."
    "Yennefer," said Dorregaray with a worried air.
    The witcher shuddered, unnoticed by anyone.
    A silence set in, that the future captain disrupted with a belch:
    "Nobody... without a pass."
    "Would 200 lintars be enough for you?" Geralt offered, retrieving the purse acquired from the fat burgrave from his pocket.
    "Geralt," said Three Jackdaws, smiling in an enigmatic way. "Really..."
    "Please accept my apologies, Borch. I'm sorry I can't accompany you to Hengfors. Another time perhaps, if we meet again."
    "Nothing is compelling me to go to Hengfors," Three Jackdaws replied carefully. "Nothing at all, Geralt."
    "Please put the purse away, sir," threatened the future captain. "It's corruption, pure and simple. Even for 300,1 won't let you cross."
    "And for 500?" Borch took out his purse. "Put away your silver, Geralt. I take responsibility for payment of the toll. It's starting to amuse me. 500, soldier. 100 per head, considering my girls as a single and beautiful unit. What do you say?"
    "Goodness me," the future captain was anxious as he hid Borch's purse inside his tunic. "What shall I tell the king?"
    "You should say to him," suggested Dorregaray as he stood up and withdrew an ivory wand from his belt, "that you were scared senseless you when you saw the show."
    "What show, sir?"
    The magician drew a form with his wand and shouted out a spell. A pine growing next to the river exploded; wild flames consumed it from base to top in an instant.
    "To the horses!"