Bradley, Marion Zimmer Ed. Sword and Sorceress 11

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Geyth awoke as she was roughly tossed onto a low couch. Groaning from the
agony in her skull, she slowly opened her eyes and found Leighton's sneering
face hovering over her. She tried to scream and squirm away, but she had
been gagged and her hands and legs were bound.
And she realized she was not alone on the couch.
"I want to make sure we are not interrupted," said Leighton. "You two be
still and I promise your deaths will be quick." He stepped to the door, peered
out cautiously, and quietly left the room. The door latch slipped softly into
place.
"Geyth? Is that you lying beside me?" asked a familiar voice. It was Myrrha.
Geyth fought with the gag and managed to grunt assent.
"I thought so," Myrrha answered. "I was pretty sure you would join me
tonight, once I understood what Leighton
was doing trying to force me into marrying him by making me a cripple."
She sighed. "And you were his chosen tool."
Geyth fought tears. "I'm sorry," she tried to say.
Myrrha nodded slowly. "Do not fret, child. I forgive you. No doubt Leighton
tricked or threatened you. Even I did not realize how low he would stoop to
get control of my lands. And I realized it a little too late." Myrrha licked her
dry lips. "Since I would not marry him, he has chosen another way. You see,
among my people if one dies without an heir and I do not have one then
their lands can be given to anyone who attempted to save their life. When he's
finished, it will look like you murdered me and he caught you, no doubt
claiming he had to kill you as you tried to escape." She took a deep breath.
"Now, we have to get you out of here before Leighton returns. I take it you are
bound hand and foot?"
"Yes," was her muffled reply.
"Quickly then, you must get to your feet and feel along the wall at the head of
the couch. The third stone, waist high, on your side is loose. Behind it is a
dagger. Use it to cut your ropes. But hurry. Leighton will be back in only
moments."
Geyth squirmed and fought to sit up. She carefully stood and managed to
back up to the area Myrrha described. By touch alone, she found the loose
stone, pulled it out, and grabbed the dagger. She cut her hand on its well
honed blade. It only took a few swipes to free her. "I did it!"
Myrrha chuckled. "Good! Now, you must get help. It may take a little time to
find someone I believe Leighton cleared all my servants from the building."
Geyth looked longingly at the door, but turned back to Myrrha. "How can I
get you out, too? Leighton could kill you before I get back."
Myrrha nodded. "True. But you would have to carry me out, and I do not
think you can. No, you must leave me behind and get away quickly, so you can
prove your innocence."
Geyth looked at the dagger in her hand. "I cannot leave you."
"You must!" Myrrha sighed. "With luck, they will catch Leighton in the act.
And if I do die, my death could actually be a good thing. At least this way, I
will not have to live out the rest of my days in this crippled body. And I
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will die for a friend. In the short term this may seem bad, but in the long run,
things will work out. Of that I have no doubt. Even your curses will eventually
bring good."
Geyth blinked back tears. Before her, unable to move, lay a truly good
woman. Even in the face of death, she saw the good in what was to come. If
only she could see that herself ... believe in it. She felt something warm in her
hand. She still wore Myrrha's ring! Could it be? She shook her head in denial.
But at the same time, she couldn't help herself. Myrrha was a good woman,
and Geyth honestly wished her the best the Goddess Mother would allow.
Wished her life, health, and happiness. She repeated the litany over and over.
Her hand grew warmer and she felt the building of magic but of a kind she
had never known. It felt different. It felt right.
The door suddenly opened and Leighton entered. Myrrha groaned
unexpectedly, and Geyth's breath caught in her throat. He drew his dagger
and stepped nearer. "Ah ... I see you are waiting for me. And thank you for
cutting your ropes it will make my story all the more believable."
Positioning herself between Myrrha and Leighton, Geyth brandished her
dagger. "I will not let you harm her!"
Leighton laughed and took a step nearer. In a lightning blow, he knocked the
dagger from her hand and shoved her backward. She sprawled across
Myrrha's chest. Leighton grabbed Geyth by the throat and raised his dagger.
"Myrrha," spat Leighton. "See what you have done by not accepting my offer.
I would have made you happy." He grinned. "At least you and your friend
wouldn't be dead."
With a powerful downstroke, he plunged the dagger toward Geyth's chest.
Geyth couldn't tear her eyes away from the descending blade. Oh, Goddess
Mother, please no!
Suddenly, an arm shot up from behind her catching Leighton's wrist and
stopping the dagger's descent. Geyth's eyes grew wide in disbelief.
It was Myrrha's arm.
"This is not possible," Leighton gasped.
Myrrha laughed. "It is when a priestess blesses you!" Still holding Geyth,
Leighton tried to free his hand. But Myrrha doggedly held to it, forcing him to
release Geyth to better deal with the experienced fighter. He quickly moved to
grip Myrrha's throat.
This diversion was all Myrrha needed. As Geyth rolled
out of the way, Myrrha grabbed his shirt and yanked him to one side. Thrown
off-balance, he went to one knee beside the couch. In a blur of motion,
Myrrha leaped to her feet and turned to confront him. Leighton roared in
anger and lunged for her, but Myrrha again caught his descending hand and
the two grappled. Then, as she had done with the thief, Myrrha side-stepped
and brought Leighton's arm quickly down and under to impale him with his
own blade. With a cry, he slumped to the floor and did not get up.
Geyth immediately dropped to her knees before Myrrha. "Once again you
saved my life. I am in your debt."
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Myrrha took the young woman's hand and pulled her up. "Actually, I think
we are about even. You showed Leigh-ton for what he really was. For that, I
am in your debt."
"But I placed a powerful curse on you."
Myrrha grinned. "And removed it with your blessing."
"But I cannot ... I don't have ..."
Myrrha nodded. "Oh, yes you do, priestess of the Goddess Mother."
Geyth stared at her in disbelief, then realized that Myrrha spoke the truth.
She had given a true blessing. She had found some goodness. Geyth slowly
nodded. "Maybe you are right. But I am not worthy to be a priestess. Not yet.
First, I have to atone for the wrong I have done. If I make it that far."
Myrrha slapped her on the back. "Well, you will always be welcome here. I
know the itha bushes would be glad to have you back." She leaned closer. "In
fact, you may want to bless them before you leave. They need all the luck they
can get if I'm tending them."
They both laughed.
THE MISTRESS'S RIDDLE
by Karen Luk
Karen says that she got a computer and a printer for her birthday and
Christmas, which makes it easier to write up her stories and edit them.
Doggone right; it takes real dedication to as all of us did when we were [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

pobieranie @ do ÂściÂągnięcia @ ebook @ download @ pdf