Lords of Rainbow Read Free Page A

She herself now resembled but another shadow in the encroaching mist, and the old woman responded in fear.
    “ Who is this, Elasand?”
    “ A friend, madam. You are quite safe,” said Ranhé.
    “ Yes, a friend,” said Elas, giving Ranhé a vacant look. “This honorable stranger came to aid us, and has very likely prevented harm from befalling you and cousin. He fought to protect your carriage.”
    The old dame’s tone warmed immediately, and she moved her veils aside to observe better. Ranhé could at last make out a wrinkled face and eyes squinting in relief. “Then, sir, we’re much in debt to you, aren’t we, Elas? What’s your name, good sir, to whom are we obliged?”
    “ It’s no particular matter, madam,” said Ranhé.
    At that moment, a younger female, completely unveiled, peeked from behind the curtain, saying, “Mother? Is it over?” And then she saw Elas. “Cousin? You are unhurt?” she said to him faintly, “What of the driver? I am afraid he—”
    “ I’m fine,” he said sharply. “But he is quite dead.”
    “ Oh. What will you do?”
    “ What do you think? What should be done with this unfortunate man?”
    “ I don’t know.”
    Ranhé observed this peculiar stilted exchange, noted the young woman’s wooden voice. Her rounded face had an odd expression, difficult to fathom, like the moon seen through the fabric of passing clouds.
    “ Incredible, but he appears to be our only loss,” spoke Elas then, turning away suddenly from the woman in the carriage, and continuing with his back to them all. “Even the horses are untouched.”
    “ You are very lucky,” said Ranhé. “One would think Bilhaar are usually better organized. Another time, and your horses would’ve had broken ankles, all. It appears your superior ability took the attackers by surprise, my lord. I wonder, were these really the Assassin Guild? We should take the masks off the dead and observe their faces.”
    He turned again to look at them, and his gaze paused on Ranhé without seeing her. But before he could speak, the young female in the carriage leaned forward, illuminated by the last vestiges of gray sky glow, so that Ranhé could at last see her widened keen eyes.
    “ No!” she exclaimed with horror. “You mustn’t look at the dead, oh gods, no!” And then, added with peculiar barely repressed violence, “Who is this woman?”
    The dame squinted again. “What? Indeed, it is a woman! Oh! And you have a sword, too, I could’ve sworn—”
    Ranhé thought she saw some evidence of awakening in Elas’s expression. He focused on her, fully at last, and was evaluating her. But not a muscle moved in his face.
    “ Then we must ask your pardon for our blindness, besides being indebted to you, freewoman —”
    She was amused. “My name is Ranhéas Ylir.”
    With a faint smile he said, “I am obliged to you.”
    “ No need, my lord, to be obliged. My help was minimal, and you were doing quite well without it. Besides, I only indulged my own caprice. I was curious to fight the legendary Bilhaar.”
    As though he did not hear her, his hand moved to his belt, and he drew out a small pouch.
    “ Will this silver be adequate recompense?”
    “ Sir, really now, you offend me. I ask for nothing.”
    “ And in your refusal you offend me .” His smile was delicate. “So then, freewoman, take this. I have little time to argue.”
    With the last words his even tone had acquired an edge of irritation, and he extended the pouch to Ranhé.
    “ Yes, my dear,” added the dame. “Take it! Oh, but please, you must. We cannot be thus indebted in honor—”
    And the other female in the carriage also nodded, looking at Ranhé with her keen frightened eyes. She took quick shallow breaths through slightly parted lips that nevertheless did not tremble. Only in that rhythm of breath was there a sense that cloud-shadows of emotion were passing over the moon-face.
    Think of a certain empty purse, idiot bitch, considered Ranhé,