don't worry be happy smile love Book Read Free Title Author Series... Search HomeRomanceFictionFantasyYoung AdultAdventureContemporaryParanormalMysteryThrillerHorrorHistoricalSuspenseChristianOtherBillionaireHumorousWesternVampiresOtherOtherOtherOtherChildrensScienceLiteratureNonfictionLGBTMemoirUrbanCook booksOtherOtherOtherOtherOtherOtherOther Home > Science Echoes of the Great Song Page 7 by David Gemmell “I hope you are a better potter than swordsman” said Viruk drawing his dagger and kneeling to slice through last tendons. Rising he swung man. “My name is Viruk. Can remember that?” “Yes lord. Viruk.” “Good. Tell king that if there one more incursion onto Avatar farmlands I will ride into pitiful hovel calls palace cut out entrails. Then make him eat them. Be so kind as repeat back me.” The man did so. “Splendid” clapping on shoulder. “Now pick up head. I’m sure be glad get it back. It something bury at least.” Walking wagons glanced first. was filled with sacks grain. “What in others?” asked sergeant. “Mostly same wagon contains some plunder. But worth little.” “Well take them city.” strolled surviving horses stepped saddle. “Where going lord?” “Just for ride dear boy. fancy may few raiders close by. Wouldn’t want see brave lads attacked way back would I?” Gathering zhi-bow galloped horse away east. “He’s lunatic” standing beside “Yes is” snapped “But we’re all alive. I’ll settle that.” prisoner rode “Do go now?” asked. should” advised “The captain can very … changeable. He decide doesn’t message sent. And then …” gestured bodies. Swinging Mud-man away. Viruk felt energized no crystal could ever supply. His body vibrant power air breathed tasted fresher cleaner. Even shoddy now like prime charger. Life good today. Recalling delight expression leader’s face loosed first bolt laughed aloud. wondered what had dreadful moment when knew life about end an explosion fire pain. Did know regret? Despair? Anger? wonder why spent long grooming ludicrous wax beard? Probably not thought been disbelief. so short battle wonderfully invigorating. imagined river king’s messenger arrived brother’s furious. likely kill messenger—especially heard message. hoped not. taken instant liking little potter. Viruk’s action not find favor High Council. They call provocative. didn’t care. All-out war tribes becoming increasingly inevitable. Every warrior it. Just they outcome. Without zhi-bows cities fall within days. hefted own bow checking power. low. Perhaps five bolts remained. on crossing rich farmland ignoring burnt-out buildings. wide swathe valleys. With only fifty left city most garrison troops withdrawn leaving farmers helpless against raids. agree policy. invited Mud People other enter corn valleys disrupting trade causing shortages food cities. chosen part policy-making team. preferred soldier-captain free wild lands fighting killing. Now almost regretted decision. Questors given their short-sighted orders Questor General Rael loyally saw carried out. should forget tradition strip wouldn’t. Rael skills tradition chained code honor died tidal waves destroyed home world. have declared himself Prime. perhaps outlook less grim. crest hill looked down upon walled village Pacepta. bypassed strike lone farms hungry now decided eat. guard above gate frightened approached but made hostile move. do want?” shouted down. drew rein zhi-bow. closer. “You chance ask question properly” told young “If shall you.” “A thousand pardons sir” youth. eyes good. were lord.” “Open gate numbskull” youth command someone beyond walls thick timber gates dragged open. through. buildings here squalid tavern. Riding largest nearby homes from saddle moved front door opening stepping inside. A large sitting table which bowl soup steaming gently. held chunk bread hand dip entered. man’s small blinked rapidly Avatar. dropped rose chair falling floor. An elderly woman stirring pot wooden spoon. She rise bowed where she was. “Welcome lord” man forcing smile. between your teeth” chided righting table. “Fetch me food” ordered woman. rushed house returning half fresh-baked loaf dish butter. ladled clay placed before both Vagars stood silence ate. Finally sat wine?” fetch some old woman hurrying house. beardless bald stomach bulged over length rope holding canvas leggings. “When pass here?” “Yesterday morning “They dead now” Leaning forward took dipped remains soup. Finishing once more. two wagons. Surely supply this more?” “Raiders them outside walls?” paled. toying idea lie. gave cold All thoughts fabrication vanished mind. “No demanded we them.” “Upon whose order?” “Our headman Shalik. price pay our lives.” “Did he indeed? Fetch best interest villagers heart “I’m did” amiably. him.” returned jug wine. cheap young remarkably sour. Looking her wait outside. reentered building just leaving. Behind came dressed full-length tunic green wool. Shalik?” am answered offering deep bow. “Tell yourself.” “Little tell headman seven years appointed General.” family?” wife four sons daughters. We recently blessed grandchildren.” “How nice” “Now General’s yesterday . Would explain thinking led deed?” “There thirty raiders sacked village. Instead negotiated At wanted wagons am skilled negotiator. settled five.” “And think needed these wagons?” Shalik licked thin lips. “To carry goods “Indeed. plundered farms settlements. As result negotiation property. Because skill empowered slaughter workforce. Not so?” protecting my village “Men choices” “Sometimes choices sometimes bad. You choice. bad one. wrists. come examine leave. Go now.” threw knees. “Oh lord beg spare me!” emotional display irritated show aided enemy penalty such crime execution deaths entire family. Do thing Shalik family lives secure knowledge saved For hour house daughters grandchildren. gone regret generosity.” weeping moments later. headman” name?” “Bekar Bekar next time approach deny any aid. Is “It command Shalik’s yours?” is man.” “He property yours.” “Thank you send whores. has day need services woman.” whores broad become shortest-lived headmen history Bekar. immediately.” Chapter Seven There many things Sofarita say doorway father’s look Avatar’s pale tell loathed worse plague. how consider rutting family telling being forced himself. Yet For despite pride irrepressible personal courage anger bring terrible retribution others. willingly spoken heart even death. Avatar slim killer compunction killing whole To risk tragedy foolhardy extreme. doorway head bowed hands clenched tight beneath red shawl wrapped around slender shoulders hoping racking cough endured three months ruin placating evil. Her father distasteful mission because married years. widow daughter violation easier accept. How simple men are thought. understand nature violation. criticized him. twenty-two read faces men Bekar fear great longing. this believed wealth security rested charms daughter. short-sighted. wealth precious too borders Erek-jhip-zhonad soon come followed settlers who either or force land. Avatars wiped Everyone that. whispered movement wind-rustled corn. fluttering sparrow’s wing. damage still done death throes Beast. Beast raised handsome yellow hair close-cropped sides temples dyed sky blue. smiled beckoned forward. gracious smile full warmth friendship. then Sofarita evil wore ugly yearn yourself” said. voice light yet manly. bard singer. grey eyes seeking sign killer be. nothing seen. horror lay below skin behind eyes. widow said averting dark gaze story? drab. husband teach lover died?” Anger flared her suppressed it though cheeks burned red. Suddenly coughed spasms rocking her. Bile blood entered mouth swallowed “Have offended Vagar sensibilities?” apologize. door body.” considered question. Had Veris lover? love? reasoned does mean says. offered pleasure. lover lover. Something believed never understand. pushed shut turned let Beneath wearing dress white wool laced silver ribbon. began untie lace. moving smoothly stand nimble fingers untied dress slipped shoulders allowed dirt right slid belly. borne children” married?” “Three months.” “Follow me” walked main bedroom. bed carved wood mattress laid slats. blankets knelt bed. insane praying. rose. “No bugs see” toward suddenly slapped face. hard blow stung. “Why me?” “For impertinence” bright correct answer ‘Three months lord.’ die?” hot slap. gored bull sad. bed.” removed clothing. lovemaking assured surprisingly gentle believe enjoying experience. When rolled clear reached stroke cheek. snaked grabbed wrist. further play-acting” amiable. well. tension gone pleased suffer.” swiftly outer room. while parents’ bed Lifting floor shook dust put on. “Shall leave r /> sit while.” joined table poured goblet wine sipped dutifully. rising again another sip dying?” bright cheerful. words going again. times must told? Are stupid instruction courtesy you?” sorry Your me. me you. cancer chest. already covered lung. bringing blood?” “Some weeks Deep known truth faced to. energy low weight dropping meals consumed. breath calm. shallow manage spoke always pleasures” tower From pouch belt breast. Pain pierced cried “Sit still” feeling belly seemed focus side body seeping deeper. dizzy shoulder steadying subsided. “Take breath” lungs air. healed” go.” life whispered. yes. well pleased. also leave.” Sadau potter desire whatever deliver brother. seen bodies those angered Ammon—bodies impaled royal palace. Sadau wish impaled. bridge across Luan halted pony gazed around. No sight. heave sent spinning rushing water. sank