Janrae Frank In The Darkness, Hunting, Tales Of Chimquar The Lionhawk

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

rather than attract the notice of the unpredictable nomad war-leader as she
stepped farther into the smoky interior.
The merchants and others of high rank, the moneyed aristocracy of the trade
routes in silken robes, also turned from their business to glance at the
newcomer, then turned away without drawing her gaze in return. "Chimquar....
"Several of them murmured. They settled more deeply into their soft, highly
cushioned sofas and chairs around their tables on the high, mahogany
banistered balcony above the rabble.
Chimquar the Lionhawk, the half-breed Sharani bastard of the Dazalero Euzadi's
high shaman, had risen to war-leader of that Euzadi tribe in the less than
seven years since her arrival among her father's people. Her face held no
softness; it was gaunt with a muted aquiline nose, squarish jaw, and a blunt
chin. At six foot three, average height for a Sharani, she stood six inches
Page 68
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
taller than the average Euzadi. She was dark-skinned and black-haired, like
the Euzadi she lived among, with piercing gray eyes that seemed ready to shred
a man's soul if he held them too long uninvited. A long scar from a knife
fight more than five years earlier crossed her cheek.
It was Chimquar's influence that brought the nomads early with their herds to
their southern ranges. She had word that
In the Darkness, Hunting: Tales of Chimquar the Lionhawk by Janrae Frank
153
the Nakesht, the only race powerful enough to challenge the
Euzadi for domination of the Great Plains, were on the move.
Better to move early and reach the southern grazing, than chance being blocked
from reaching them with winter setting in.
The sprawling caravansary had changed little in the two years since she had
last visited it. She settled down at one of the small rectangular tables along
the west wall reserved for people of middle rank. No one would have dared to
question her even had she taken a seat among the merchants.
* * * *
Jon Dawn, the proprietor, had owned the caravansary for less then six months,
having inherited it from a distant relative whom he had never met. He knew
very little about the wealthy city-states of the Jeswan Coast. A dark, very
small man, barely five feet tall with an nervously eager and obsequious
manner, he moved among his wealthier customers with almost excessive concern
for their needs.
When all attention turned to the door, Jon's gaze naturally followed. He had
never seen a Euzadi before, but he had heard much and, from the tales, would
not have been surprised if the nomad had insisted on the best seat in the
house. He sensed from the crowds' reaction that Chimquar was more than the
usual nomad, someone very important. He went quickly down the curling stairs
to her table.
"What can I.... "He stopped, staring hard into Chimquar's face, his eyes
widened and his mouth dropped open. "Tomy
"
In the Darkness, Hunting: Tales of Chimquar the Lionhawk by Janrae Frank
154
Chimquar's glare stopped him, "I don't know what you're doing here, Jon Dawn,"
she growled low; her voice, hoarsened in childhood by whooping cough, sounded
harsh and raspy. "My name is Chimquar. Means Lionhawk. I'm the son of the High
Shaman of the Majios Clan."
Jon Dawn wiped his hands nervously on his apron. "Own the place. Inherited
it." He stared at her, obviously wondering briefly what game she was playing,
passing herself off as male.
Chimquar recognized the question in his eyes, cursing softly as she slid into
an obscure Sharani dialect. "Use your eyes," she growled. "What life is there
for women in these lands? To be different is to die meaninglessly ... there is
no honor in such a death."
Jon Dawn swallowed nervously, nodding. "I know."
Chimquar said nothing, merely eyed him closely, wondering what in Haven's name
could make an assassin guild's local chieftain so shaken. She considered it
more likely that he had inherited the place through a change in command rather
than a relative.
"Look, I need to talk to you, Lionhawk," he said wiping his hands again,
practically wringing the apron. "Everything's on the house. Just stay right
here while I get things settled in the kitchen. Then I'll show you to one of
our private conference rooms."
"I'm not sure.... "Chimquar's sharp eyes traveled over him appraisingly.
"Please, please, for old times sakes, I'm beggin' you, Chimquar. I'm in bad
Page 69
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
trouble."
In the Darkness, Hunting: Tales of Chimquar the Lionhawk by Janrae Frank
155
"Okay, Jon," Chimquar shrugged, "I'll stay."
* * * *
Chimquar followed Jon upstairs. He reserved the top floor for his own uses.
His family lived there. His most private offices, from which his operatives
frequently entered and left through a trap door in the roof, were at the north
end, opposite his living quarters. Jon's family would be guild also, Chimquar
suspected. The Old Man of the Mountain discouraged marrying outside the guild
for operatives like
Jon, working so far from Creeya. She settled into a chair at the table.
Jon slid his diminutive frame into a chair across from her, rising slightly to
lean on his elbows and look more closely into her eyes. "We're a long way from
home, Chimquar," he said.
"I'm not here to talk about home," Chimquar answered with scathing bitterness,
"I'm in exile, remember?" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Podobne