The Way of the Sword and Gun Read Free

intelligence, and we can solve problems with finesse."
    The other magician beamed. Eldred then raised his voice to address the townspeople who watched from the alleyways and windows. "I will not hold Affengar responsible for this foolish assault. I know of Malja and her attempts to rule Corlin. But she is learning now that she is not your savior. She is not the law. She's just a nuisance. Your real savior, your real law, is the great Queen Salia of the North. From her palace in Salia City, she reaches out like my plants and takes firm hold of those around her. In return for your loyalty, she provides peace and a world in which you have the chance to prosper."
    Malja had wrenched her head around to catch Eldred gloating. Since the plant had not tried to smother her to death, she guessed Eldred planned something else for her — probably public humiliation designed to bolster his stance with the townspeople. Either that or a more "legal" execution.
    He dismounted, and with his hands raised, Eldred spoke on, savoring his moment. Malja squinted. A shadow behind the magician moved, a shape she recognized — Fawbry.
    "Never forget your loyalty to Queen Salia and she will never forget to protect you," Eldred went on.
    Fawbry raised his hand high above his head. He held something — a rock. He slammed it down on Eldred's head. The magician's face locked into a sly grin as his body weaved from side to side.
    Eldred's partner tackled Fawbry. The two rolled on the ground, clumsy in their inexperienced grappling. They traded punches to the ribs but appeared more winded from the efforts than the blows.
    Though he wasn't knocked unconscious, Eldred lost the focus necessary to maintain his magic. The vines constraining Malja and Tommy loosened.
    Tommy wrenched his arm free, glanced at his tattoos, and cast his spell. The plant lost its color in seconds. It changed from green to brown to a pale, sickly white. When he finished, the tendrils that surrounded Malja crumbled to the ground, leaving behind a chalky residue and a bitter odor.
    With Viper in hand, Malja raced the final distance toward her enemy. Eldred watched her approach with a quizzical look as if he couldn't identify what she was. That look remained even as she removed his head from his body.
    Fawbry pushed Eldred's partner back and when the man saw Eldred's head, he pointed at it, cried out once, and dashed for his horse. Malja, Tommy, and Fawbry stood in the street and watched this novice struggle to get his foot in the stirrup. His horse did not co-operate. After a lot of gasping, some cursing, and another weak cry, he managed to get into the saddle and gallop off.
    "Admit it," Fawbry said, his unkempt hair dirtier now from rolling in the road. "You thought I had run away."
    Malja slapped Fawbry on the shoulder. "Doesn't matter what I thought. You did well, and I thank you. Now, let's go before we have to deal with the town."
    Too late. The townspeople hurried out of their hiding spots, all smiles and giddy laughter, and rushed over to thank Malja and her crew. With false modesty, Fawbry allowed two buxom ladies to walk him off while listening to him recount what had just occurred. Others surrounded Tommy, unbothered by his silence, and offered him drinks and hugs and even a few kisses.
    Malja waved off those who approached her and scowled at any who tried to congratulate her. She knew none of it was genuine. They simply wanted to ingratiate themselves with who they thought now ruled them. Only after a few days alone might they understand they were now free to choose their own path.
    Fawbry let out a high laugh and his girls tittered. Malja grinned. He would definitely get one of the girls before the night ended. She would have gladly scouted out a suitable man for her own amusement, such opportunities didn't come often to a traveling warrior, but this night, she had to deal with the boy. She brushed by a few open arms and grabbed Tommy by the elbow.
    "Go celebrate," she said