Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
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wounded only in the carts on march," he said, as if reading her mind. "They'll be fine, you've done what<br />
you can, off with you now." She wanted to argue, the pull on her heart like a claw to stay here, but the<br />
clerk looked annoyed. She'd be in more trouble if she disobeyed here, too.<br />
I'm going to be in the infirmary next, she thought, dejectedly. At least the gut-fear of fighting was<br />
gone, faded while her mind had been on other things.Fifteen strokes. I have to choose, now or later,<br />
with him… later. I'm going to see him again before he's fit, so if I get it done now he'll know what<br />
he's in for .<br />
Now what? She'd been dismissed; no more fighting.I don't want to any more today, anyway , she<br />
thought.Though there's no way I'll admit that to anyone . She examined the feeling, turned it over in<br />
her mind. The memories came back, so fresh as to be barely memories, yet suddenly distant <strong>and</strong><br />
changed, as if from a dream or another life: feeling through the grip of her sword the Arkan's throat<br />
muscles clamp on the blade; the wounded, clasping h<strong>and</strong>s to bloody spots, knowing they were Arkans<br />
meat if they weren't carried off, calling to her or screaming incoherently; Echera-e l<strong>and</strong>ing wrong as his<br />
horse threw him…Does this mean I'm a coward? But I'm just fourteen. In Yeola-e people don't fight<br />
until they're sixteen. I'm not a coward, Shkai'ra said I'm sheep-fucking brave; I'm just young. I'll<br />
get tougher <strong>and</strong> it'll get easier . She wheeled away from the cart to find the Elite section, <strong>and</strong>zhymata .<br />
Well, thought Megan, as she prepared to bed down.Clear ground we march. Obstructed, we march<br />
through them . She counted off days in her head as she unpinned her braids <strong>and</strong> brushed out her<br />
calf-long hair.At the rate we're going, we'll be there in two <strong>and</strong> a half months or so . Then,<br />
remembering the frequent fate of the best-laid plans:at the rate we're going . Many things could change<br />
that.<br />
Shkai'ra was off partying with her unit; Sova was preparing her own bed. The Thane-girl had been silent<br />
<strong>and</strong> gaunt-eyed all evening as she did the chores, worrying about her Yeoli lover <strong>and</strong> being flogged.<br />
"Good night, Sovee." She crouched to slip inside her tent. The girl answered the same quietly.I hope<br />
Shkai'ra isn't too long… what in Holy a is that?<br />
A patch of white clung to the inside of the tent-flap. Careful, mindful of plots <strong>and</strong> tricks, she looked<br />
before touching. A bit of paper, pinned to the canvas: holding it only with her claws, not the pads of her<br />
fingers, she unpinned <strong>and</strong> unfolded it.<br />
The words were written in a tidy Arkan h<strong>and</strong>, superior-to-inferior inflection.<br />
Whitlock: Meet me in the copse downwind of the Enchian Elite latrine, tonight when the moon is<br />
straight above. I have your son, Lix<strong>and</strong> called Rasas, with the four moles in a square on his right<br />
shoulder-blade. His life <strong>and</strong> my cover are as twined vines, sworn upon my poison tooth. Let us<br />
chat.<br />
Book II: Venture<br />
XII<br />
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