Lantern Road (Empire of Time SF series) by John Argo

= LANTERN ROAD =

a novella in the Empire of Time series

by John Argo

The man gathered his stick and fell in again. "I'm sorry, Master, I'm a simple sort, and my mouth gets me in trouble."

"You are a fool, and here I am beside you."

"Who is the greater fool, Master?"

"You have a point there." Jory could close his eyes and still inhale the fragrance of Ramy's berry perfume. He remembered the silky feel of her skin, and the aroused pungency of her tongue.

The man whispered: "My name is Yafi. I come from Anamo, outside Kusi-O."

A territory of ruffians, Jory thought, known everywhere on the island of Oba. Kusi-O, interstice between Oba and the universe. Sluice of evil.

"There is a price on your head, Master. Lord Ramyon has sent runners in both directions on the Great Road."

"Thank you for information I already know."

"I must ask a favor of you before I go any further with you, Master. Will you stop a moment?"

"Oh what is this!" Jory said, stomping his feet impatiently, while Yafi felt around Jory's head with nimble fingertips until he found the hard round plates at each temple. "Ah! Just as the gate mouse said. You have the unborn horns."

Jory shoved him away and resumed a fast walk. "I have always had them."

Yafi walked beside him, pressing against his side, so that Jory had to keep pushing him away. "Master, it is something that makes you desirable to somebody in the Kusi-O and may save your life."

"You are delivering me to the Kusi-O?"

"Only by your leave, Master."

"You risk your life by even speaking with me. The

price must be great."

Yafi's smile was sly, his eyes closing briefly in cagey admission. "It is so. But I cannot drag you there against your will."

Jory calculated desperately. What kind of trap was this? "Who wants these unborn horns of mine, and why?" He rubbed his hands on the rough, ringed surfaces that occupied a half a palm's width circle before and slightly above each ear. They were like hair or fingernails. It was part of him, but without feeling. A sharp blow to the head during stick practice with the retainers had once made the cuticle around these giant thumbnail things bleed, but other than that they were simply always there and he hardly ever thought of them, anymore than he thought of his toenails. Human girls had made fun of him and, though he'd bedded some over the kjirs, refused to stay with him.

Thank you for reading. If you love it, tell your friends. Please post a favorable review at Amazon, Good Reads, and other online resources. If you want to thank the author, you may also buy a copy for the low price of a cup of coffee. It's called Read-a-Latte: similar (or lower) price as a latte at your favorite coffeeshop, but the book lasts forever while the beverage is quickly gone. Thank you (JTC).

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