City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [24]
“Apparently he claimed the trophy in the Race of Eight Winds two years ago. Mean anything to you?”
“Yes, it’s all here. Annual event in … Dura Tower. Biggest race in Sharn. Brings spectators from across Khorvaire.”
“You’ll never see anything like it!” The new voice managed to be high-pitched and gravelly at the same time. Turning around, Daine discovered a small goblin girl just behind his legs. “All manner of beasts chasing and fighting, darting between the parapets.” Her red eyes gleamed. “Last year, the griffon turned on the eagle right after the bell was rung. You can still see the blood on Kelsa Spire.”
Jode spoke before Daine could chase the goblin off. “What’s your favorite beast?”
“The Gargoyle, of course,” the girl said, as if speaking to an even smaller child. “Malleon’s Gate used to be that Bat, but now it’s the Gargoyle. He hasn’t won yet, but he’s fast and quick and clever, and I’m sure this year is when things will change.”
“Who’s won the last few years?”
“The stupid pegasus. The hippogriff was going to win, then it died.”
“One of the others killed it?”
“No, that would have been more fun.” The little green girl gestured with her hand, showing a path of flight followed by a sudden drop. “It just died. Left a big stain on Rattlestone Square. My friend Galt has two feathers.”
The lift paused to take on two new passengers, both wearing the green and black uniforms of the Sharn Watch. The stocky dwarf glared at Daine suspiciously. His companion was a tall human woman whose face was a maze of scars. Daine absently ran a finger along the scar that ran down his left cheek, remembering past battles with Brelish soldiers. The lift began to move again, slowly falling the remaining thousand feet toward the ground.
“The Pegasus is really, really fast,” the goblin girl said. “But Carralag is clever, and I know he’ll get the best of it this year.”
“Did you ever—?” Jode began.
The dwarf guard grabbed the goblin by her hair and pulled her back, causing her to yelp with pain. “You again!” he spat. “What did I tell you about riding the lifts, girl?”
The girl tried to turn, but the grip on her hair was too strong. “Dunno! Just wanted to see the sky!”
“You know what I said,” the dwarf said. He put one callused hand around her throat and lifted her up into the air. Behind him, his companion smirked. “I said I’d throw you off the lift myself if I ever say you again. You should have stayed where you belong, girl.”
The dwarf moved to the railing, the goblin kicking and gasping in his grip. Daine planted his foot behind the dwarf’s knee and sent him tumbling to the ground. The girl darted behind Daine, huddling against the railing.
The dwarf rose to his feet. “Dorn’s teeth!” he swore, drawing a short sword with a well-worn edge. “You’ve just made a grave error, Mourner.”
The scarred woman was carrying a halberd, and she moved to flank Daine.
“I should watch you throw a girl to her death?”
“That’s no girl. It’s a goblin. The only reason she’s on this lift is to pick the pockets of fools like you. But I suppose you can identify with that. I can’t imagine a Mourner trash having any proper business in the upper wards.” He studied Daine carefully. “You just struck an officer of the watch. I think you deserve another scar for that.”
“I think I’ll pass.” Daine studied his opponents, shifting so his back was against the railing. He reached for his sword—and remembered it was gone. Damn Jode!
“Go ahead,” the dwarf said. “Draw your knife, boy. Give me a reason to run you through.”
The lift came to a stop and the other passengers scurried off, leaving only Daine, Jode, the two guards, and the whimpering goblin girl.
The dwarf walked toward Daine as the lift moved again. “Not so bold now, are you?” He stared up into Daine’s eyes, putting the point of his blade against Daine’s throat. Daine looked down. The halberdier watched as a tiny spot of blood blossomed on Daine’s throat, and for a moment she lowered her guard.
Daine was waiting for an opening, but